Francisco Montesinos Marín

ACT AND SEXUALITY: FROM SEXUAL DYSFUNCTIONS TO FULL RELATIONSHIPS

ABSTRACT

Third generation therapies, and particularly Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) are assuming considerable advances in the cognitive-behavioral tradition, providing an innovative perspective from which to approach psychological problems. In the area of sexual dysfunctions and problems, ACT provides effective resources to address barriers that are interfering with sexual satisfaction. It is an approach that is not aimed at controlling “symptoms” such as anxiety, lack of desire or pain, or the improvement of sexual performance. On the contrary, the intervention is directed towards the values and the active acceptance of the discomfort.

Although the patients frequently seek to improve their execution or suppress private events (such as fear, negative thoughts or apathy), ACT’s direction is marked by values, which inspire goals and actions to cultivate sexuality in a context where it acquires a full meaning (more closeness or intimacy, improving health or self-care, etc.). At the same time, coping with avoidance and discomfort control, psychological flexibility is promoted, or the ability to act in the right direction while maintaining contact with discomfort. This therapy integrates mindfulness techniques with metaphors and experiential exercises aimed at clarifying values, the right perspective in front of discomfort and promoting valuable actions.

In this workshop, the ACT perspective will be illustrated through representative clinical cases and practical exercises to work on values and the management of psychological barriers to improve sexuality and couple’s intimacy. The aim is providing the clinical specialists with an initial contact with ACT and promoting a reflection on the role of experiential avoidance and psychological flexibility in sexual problems.

BIOGRAPHY

He is Professor of Health Psychology in the Psychology Department at the European University of Madrid.

He is Therapist and Professor of the Contextual Therapies Master’s Dregree at the ACT’s Institute (Madrid).

He holds a PhD in Psychology and is a psychologist specialized in clinical psychology. He holds a master’s degree of Human sexuality and master’s degree of Applied psychology.

He is the Principal investigator of the research group “Clinical psychology and health” at the European University.

He has developed his research and clinical career in clinical and health psychology and third generation therapies fields. His doctoral thesis was focused on the study of new procedures to promote acceptance in cancer patients. In 1994, he began his work as a clinical psychologist in the private area. For 12 years he combined this exercise with his work as a psychologist of the Spanish Association Against Cancer (AECC). He has also worked as a clinical psychologist in centers for integral attention to drug addiction (CAID), under Madrid’s Community Health Department.

He has been professor at the University of Almería and since 2010 he is professor at the European University. He is the author of papers and book chapters focused specifically on the applications of ACT in the clinic health field (sexual therapy, psycho-oncology, HIV, chronic pain, addictions, etc.). He is co-autor of the book “Tratando con… Terapia de Aceptación y Compromiso. Habilidades terapéuticas centrales para la aplicación eficaz”. He is a member of the team that received in 2014 the Wilson Award for Teaching and Learning Excellence. Nowadays he is directing a research project focused on the treatment of the fear of public speaking through psychological acceptance and virtual reality.