Open discussion of sexual material in family therapy

Abstract

One of the questions frequently asked by our associates, students, referral sources and by ourselves is whether one does, can or should discuss sexual matters openly in the family. Initially, we found ourselves reticent to approach an open discussion of intimate sexual matters, particularly concerning the marital sexual relationship, with the total family present. On the manifest level we were aware that the “sitting face to face in a family group” was not the usual situation for a discussion of intimate sexual matters, in fact it was a situation in which one is ordinarily inhibited from sexual discussion. We had to get beyond the barrier of the seemingly “social” setting of the family interviews and consciously remind ourselves of the professional reason for our meeting.