Sexologist in Gdansk - when is specialist help needed?

Sexologist in Gdansk - when is specialist help needed?

Sexuality is a topic that still causes embarrassment in Poland. Despite living in times of apparent openness, many people struggle with sexual difficulties in silence for years, not knowing that a specialist exists who can help them. Some do not know that their problem has a name. Others are ashamed to raise the topic even with their partner. Still others search for answers online, on forums, in self-help books - instead of turning to a qualified specialist.

A clinical sexologist is not a character from jokes, not a "sex therapist" in the tabloid sense, and not someone who will ask you to do strange exercises. They are a qualified specialist with a background in psychology or medicine who understands how complex human sexuality is - and can help when something in this area begins causing physical or emotional pain.

In Gdansk and the Tri-City area, access to sexologists is better than in many Polish cities, but still insufficient given the scale of need. Many patients who come to our center say they searched for help for months before finding the right specialist with a reasonable waiting time. This article is meant to help you understand when it is worth seeing a sexologist, what to expect at a visit, and what sexological help looks like in practice.

Who is a clinical sexologist?

A clinical sexologist is a specialist who has completed higher education (in psychology or medicine) and postgraduate studies in clinical sexology. In Poland, the training of sexologists takes place at several universities, and the title of sexology specialist is legally regulated in the case of physicians (a medical specialization in sexology). Psychologists who have completed postgraduate studies in clinical sexology may use the title of psychologist-sexologist.

A psychologist-sexologist works primarily through conversation, psychotherapy, and psychoeducation. They diagnose sexual disorders, conduct individual and couples therapy, and help with issues of sexual and gender identity. They do not prescribe medications or conduct physical examinations - but they can assess when a medical consultation is needed. A physician-sexologist can additionally order tests, prescribe medications (e.g., PDE5 inhibitors for erectile disorders), and provide hormonal therapy.

Both professional profiles complement each other. Many sexual difficulties require both psychological work and medical assessment - which is why a good sexologist can judge when a patient needs a medical consultation, and a good urologist or gynecologist knows when to refer a patient to a sexologist.

What problems do patients present with?

The range of problems that bring people to a sexologist is very broad. It encompasses far more than just "dysfunctions" in the narrow medical sense - though these constitute a significant portion.

Sexual disorders. Erectile disorders, premature ejaculation, delayed ejaculation, desire disorders (low libido in both women and men), difficulty with orgasm in women and men, pain during intercourse (dyspareunia), vaginismus (involuntary tension of the vaginal muscles preventing penetration), sexual aversion. You can read more about sexual disorders in men in our dedicated article, and about low libido in women in the text on psychological causes and solutions.

Difficulties in intimate relationships. Mismatched sexual needs in a couple (one wants more frequently, the other less), lack of communication about sexuality (not knowing how to tell a partner what you need), difficulty rebuilding intimacy after a crisis (infidelity, illness, childbirth, a prolonged break from sex), routine and a sense of sexual boredom in a long relationship, differences in preferences. These problems are not disorders - but they can destroy relationships.

Sexual and gender identity. Questions about sexual orientation ("Am I bi?", "Is it normal that I have such fantasies?"), feelings of gender incongruence, coming out, identity-related discomfort, fear of others' reactions. A sexologist helps with safe exploration of these topics, without imposing ready-made answers and without judgment.

Sexuality and mental health. The impact of depression, anxiety disorders, trauma, or PTSD on sexual functioning. Side effects of psychotropic medications (especially SSRIs). Sexuality after experiencing sexual or emotional violence. This is an area where collaboration between a sexologist and a psychotherapist is particularly valuable.

Sexuality and physical health. Sexual functioning after surgeries (prostatectomy, hysterectomy, mastectomy), in chronic diseases (diabetes, multiple sclerosis, cardiovascular diseases, endometriosis), during menopause, after oncological treatment (chemotherapy and radiotherapy often affect sexuality), during pregnancy and postpartum.

Compulsive sexual behaviors. Difficulty controlling sexual behaviors, excessive pornography use affecting functioning and relationships, risky behaviors. In 2019, the WHO included compulsive sexual behavior disorder in the ICD-11 classification as an impulse control disorder. A sexologist can help people who feel that their sexual behaviors have gotten out of control and are causing distress.

Sexologist vs. psychotherapist - who for what?

This is a common question, especially since the boundary between these specialties is not always clear. The general principle: if your main problem directly concerns sexuality - desire, arousal, orgasm, pain during sex, sexual function disorders - a sexologist is the right address. They have specialized knowledge, tools, and techniques (sensate focus, behavioral techniques, sexological psychoeducation) that a psychotherapist without sexological training does not possess.

If sexual difficulties primarily stem from emotional problems (depression, trauma, chronic anxiety) or relational problems (conflicts in the relationship, lack of communication, infidelity), psychotherapy or couples therapy may be a better starting point. It often happens that once emotional or relational problems are resolved, sexual difficulties resolve on their own.

In practice, these spheres overlap. Sex therapy often includes elements of psychotherapy and vice versa. That is why at the Sztuka Harmonii Psychological Center, Anna Grys, MA, combines the competencies of a psychologist and a sexologist, enabling a comprehensive approach to the patient's difficulties - without the need to see two specialists simultaneously.

What does a visit to a sexologist in Gdansk look like?

Many patients postpone the visit because they do not know what to expect. They imagine something embarrassing, invasive, strange. In reality, a visit to a psychologist-sexologist looks entirely different from what most people fear. Here is how a typical pathway proceeds.

First consultation (50 minutes). It is a conversation, not an examination. You sit in a comfortable chair opposite the specialist and talk. The sexologist will ask about the reason for your visit, the history of the problem, your general health, medications you are taking, and your relationship situation. Questions may concern details of your sexual life - this is a normal and necessary part of the sexological interview, not curiosity. You do not have to share everything at once - the pace of the conversation is adjusted to your comfort. If a question seems too difficult, you can say "I am not ready for that yet" - and that is perfectly fine.

Diagnosis. Based on the interview, the sexologist will assess what problem we are dealing with, what its possible causes are (psychological, somatic, relational, mixed), and whether additional tests are needed (hormonal, urological, gynecological). Not every problem requires a formal diagnosis - sometimes understanding the mechanism is sufficient.

Treatment plan. The sexologist will propose a direction for work - this may be individual sex therapy, couples therapy with a sexological component, psychoeducation, specific exercises to practice at home (e.g., sensate focus), or a referral to a medical specialist if somatic causes are suspected.

Therapy. Sessions usually take place weekly or biweekly. The duration of therapy depends on the problem - from a few sessions (e.g., for premature ejaculation with behavioral techniques, where results are visible after 6-10 sessions) to a dozen or more (e.g., for working with sexual trauma or deep relational difficulties). Between sessions, the patient often receives "homework" - exercises, observations, conversations with a partner.

Myths about visiting a sexologist

It is worth dispelling a few beliefs that deter people from seeking help and cause them to suffer unnecessarily for years.

"The sexologist will make me undress at the first visit." Absolutely not. A visit to a psychologist-sexologist is a conversation. There is no physical examination, no undressing, no physical contact of any kind. If a medical examination is needed, the sexologist will refer you to the appropriate physician (gynecologist, urologist).

"My problem is too embarrassing." A sexologist talks about sexuality in their daily work - it is their specialization. They have heard about everything. Nothing you say will shock or surprise them. Everything you say in the office is covered by professional confidentiality.

"Since I have a problem with sex, it means something is wrong with me." Sexual difficulties affect a huge proportion of the population - 20 to 40 percent of people experience them at some point in their lives. They do not reflect on your worth as a person, a partner, or a lover. They reflect the fact that you are a human being with a human body and a human psyche.

"A sexologist is for couples." Many patients come individually - because the problem concerns them personally, because they are not in a relationship, because their partner is not ready for a joint visit, or because they simply prefer to start on their own. Individual therapy is equally valuable.

"Nothing will change after one visit." Of course, one visit will not resolve a years-long problem. But even after the first consultation, patients often say that simply naming the problem, hearing that they are not alone, and learning that a concrete action plan exists brings enormous relief. That is not nothing.

"I am too old for sex therapy." Sexuality has no expiration date. Both 20-year-olds and 70-year-olds have the right to a satisfying intimate life. A sexologist works with patients of every age.

How to find a good sexologist in Gdansk?

When choosing a sexologist, it is worth paying attention to several factors. First, check their education - a psychologist-sexologist should have a master's degree in psychology and completed postgraduate studies in clinical sexology. Look for experience working with your specific problem. Read reviews from other patients - but remember that sexuality is a topic people rarely write reviews about. Check whether the specialist sees individuals, couples, or both. Make sure you feel comfortable with the person - in sex therapy, the relationship with the therapist is particularly important because the topics are intimate.

Sexologist at the Sztuka Harmonii Psychological Center

At the Sztuka Harmonii Psychological Center, sexological consultations and therapy are provided by Anna Grys, MA - a psychologist and clinical sexologist with experience in working with sexual disorders, difficulties in intimate relationships, issues with sexual and gender identity, and the impact of trauma on sexuality. Ms. Grys combines an integrative approach with elements of cognitive behavioral therapy and schema therapy. She provides both individual therapy and couples therapy with a sexological component.

Our offices are located at four locations in the Tri-City area:

• Piekarnicza 5, 80-126 Gdansk - the center's main office
• Bergiela 4/10, 80-282 Gdansk - Morena office
• Wajdeloty 28/202A, 80-437 Gdansk - Wrzeszcz office
• 10 Lutego 7/103, 81-366 Gdynia - central Gdynia office

If you are not sure whether your problem requires a sexological or psychological consultation, you do not have to figure it out on your own. Call 732 059 980 and we will help you choose the right specialist. You can also book a psychological consultation, which is a good starting point if you do not know where to begin - the psychologist will assess your situation and, if needed, refer you to the sexologist.

Sexuality is an important part of life - regardless of whether you are 25 or 65, whether you are in a relationship or not, whether your problem seems serious or trivial. You deserve to feel good about it - and to have a specialist by your side who will help you in this process.