Sex therapy with dissociative disorders: a protocol.

Female victims of childhood sexual abuse who develop dissociative disorders often suffer from sexual dysfunction but do not receive sex therapy as often as might be expected due to the problems created by dissociative defenses. A modification of standard sex therapy techniques is proposed as a step toward restoring sexual function to this population. Key elements of the protocol are Eriksonian utilization of dissociative defenses, reduced expectations, and careful preparation of the male partner.