The CSH Choice
The Center for Sexual Health was established in 1997 as a unique multi-disciplinary organization that would provide a broad look at the sexual concerns of an individual or couple.
This range of services include:
- Understanding the role the relationship plays in sexual problems.
- Evaluating the role medical and physical problems have in the sexual dysfunction.
- Placing the sexual problem within the total social context of the problem to avoid judgement.
- Understanding the complex ways prescriptions and street drugs can impact sexual functioning.
- Evaluating lifestyle issues, such as smoking and alcohol consumption, and their impact on sexual quality.
In order to provide this breadth of perspective, we have on our staff two types of sexual health professionals:
- Physicians with special interest and training in sexual health.
- Certified Sex Therapists and Diplomates in Sex Therapy trained in the evaluation and treatment of sexual problems. CSH uses the standards of the American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT) for the certification of sex therapists. See AASECT Certification Requirements
At The Center for Sexual Health you are assured that:
- All therapists are ASSECT Certified Sex Therapists or Diplomates in Sex Therapy
- All physicians are specialists in sexual medicine
At The Center for Sexual Health you can:
- Gain up-to-date and non-judgemental information about human sexuality and enhancement
- Work toward achieving a more fulfilling sexual life
- Obtain an understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of the physical basis of sexual problems and functioning, including:
- Identifying the physical causes of sexual problems and developing appropriate treatments
- Identifying the sexual side effects of medications you are taking
- Identifying the sexual side effect of life style issues such as smoking, drinking, or lack of exercise
- Identifying and negotiating the sexual problems associated with physical illness or incapacity
- Identifying and attending to the effects of major medical treatments on sexual functioning, for example, breast surgery, prostate surgery, debilitating or disfiguring illness
- Identifying the physical causes of sexual problems and developing appropriate treatments
- Obtain an understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of the psychological, relationship, and social basis of sexual problems, including:
- Problems with sexual desire, sexual arousal (erections and lubrication), orgasm, and sexual pain
- Problems around sexual difference and sexual identity
- Problems with sexual compulsivity or addiction and risky sexual behaviors
- Problems arising out of the effects of trauma such as rape, molestation abuse and coercion and its impact on current sexual behaviors and relationships
- Problems with sexual desire, sexual arousal (erections and lubrication), orgasm, and sexual pain
CSH has multiple locations for your privacy and convenience. (See Locations)
Absent or Low Sexual Desire:
The most common and obvious problems are problems with achieving and maintaining an erection. The popular treatments now available, such as Viagra, may well help the problem, but mask the difficulties that need to be addressed physically or in the relationship. These problems have in the past been underdiagnosed, discounted as unimportant, or inadequately treated. As with all difficulties, this can be a very devastating problem and deserves a good diagnostic understanding before attempting treatments.
Though less common in women, the arousal problems are manifested as lack of lubrication. Women with this problem were in the past called "frigid" and seen as controlling partners. Lack of lubrication arises from a number of physical and relationship causes and often can be treated. Using artificial lubricants may allow penetration, but as with Viagra, they may mask or avoid dealing with the underlying issue.
If you have never experienced an orgasm, you are not unusual. Approximately 15% of the female population in the U.S. are anorgasmic. For these women, experiencing an orgasm is elusive, yet it doesn't have to be that way. Through the process of comfort and permission giving, education, information, and at-home exercises, you will be able to change the quality of your sexual experience. Orgasm difficulty is often associated with medicines being taken, problems in relationships, or may be lifestyle related.
Orgasm difficulties have tended to be a women's "problem" as the erectile problems have been a man's "problem." However, with today's medicine, there are an increasing number of men reporting delayed or absent orgasm. In addition, having an ejaculation too early (Premature Ejaculation) has been one of the major problems that men believe plague their sexual functioning. Although there are medical treatments and causes of such early ejaculation, there are also numerous and clear causes based on anxiety, experience, and learned negative sexual patterns.
The physicians at The Center for Sexual Health include:
Medical Affiliate
Glenn Withrow, MD
Medical Consultants
John Steege, MD
Culley Carson, MD
The training for AASECT Diplomates in Sex Therapy at CSH includes as a minimum the following:
Under Construction
The Center for Sexual Health provides you with multiple locations for your privacy and convenience. It is a networked clinic; that is, each professional maintains his or her own location and affiliation. This arrangement allows the patient a number of options for where to be seen. You can be assured that the professional seen through The Center for Sexual Health collaborate to provide you with a complete evaluation and coordinated treatment.
Rebecca Hope Dnistran, MA, LPC
Ken created the Center for Sexual Health in 1997 and remained
an enthusiastic and active member until his death in October of 2002. His
earnest compassion, knowledge and wit were hallmarks in his work with
clients. His ability to embrace life is an example to all of us.
Ken will be greatly missed by us at the Center for Sexual Health, his family,
friends and colleagues and so so many others whose lives he has touched.
The Center for Sexual Health
is providing these links to you only as a convenience and the inclusion of any link does not imply endorsement by the Center for Sexual Health of the sites.
The linked sites are not under the control of the Center for Sexual Health and the Center for Sexual Health is not responsible for the content of any linked sites or any link contained in a linked site, or any changes or updates to such sites.
It is up to you to take precautions to ensure that whatever you select as a link for your use is free of viruses, worms, Trojan horses and other items of a destructive nature.
www.aasect.org - The American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors and Therapists
www.aamft.org - The American Association of Marriage & Family Therapy
We apologize for the temporary disruption of our ability to receive email. To contact the Center for Sexual Health, please call
(919) 406-6800 and leave a message. Someone will return your call as soon as possible.
Please note that we do not offer advice or counseling over the telephone.
Sexual Concerns
Sexual difficulties may be lifelong or may begin in response to certain life events such as medical conditions or treatment, depression, medication use, change in a relationship, or aging. Some life changes such as job stress, child birth, relocation, grief or retirement can cause changes in sexual functioning. An individual's history and experiences with sex also influence sexual adjustment and styles of expression. If you or your partner have concerns related to sexual functioning, you may contact The Center for Sexual Health.
Some Common Sexual Concerns We Deal With At The Center For Sexual Health Include:
A very common complaint that can rise to the level of a serious personal or relationship problem is the lack of sexual desire or even the avoidance of sexual situations entirely (see below). This problem may reflect a difference between the desired frequency of sexual contact between partners, or it can come from such diverse sources as serious physical problems, hormonal deficiencies, relationship problems, past sexual trauma, past sexual pain, or negative feelings about sexuality. The key to this issue is the correct diagnosis of the problem because these desire differences so often lead to bad feelings and name calling.
Sexual Fears and Avoidance:
Sexual avoidance sometimes results from anxiety about sex, from pain associated with sexual contact, and sometimes from serious relationship issues including abusive or coercive behavior.
Sexual Arousal:
For Men
For Women
Achieving Orgasm:
For Women
For Men
Painful Intercourse:
Pain felt at the opening of or within the vagina can be caused by physical problems, emotional concerns, or both. For example, a variety of inflammatory conditions which can be difficult to diagnose are sometimes prematurely attributed to emotional causes, although the emotional stress of these conditions often requires attention as well. Pain felt deeper inside the vagina is more often due to internal gynecologic conditions. A detailed history and careful physical examination are needed to better understand the components involved in painful intercourse. The Center's members and medical consultants work together to arrive at a treatment plan which includes all these factors.
Sexual Traumas:
Both open and hidden (or subtle) sexual abuse can get in the way of the development of healthy sexual responses or behaviors. These unfortunate circumstances can lead to having no interest in sex, being unable to enjoy sex, feeling inadequate as a lover, becoming turned-off during intimate moments, or hiding or flaunting your body. It is possible to learn how your sexual experiences or conditioning have interfered with the positive use of your sexual energy in your intimate life.
Treatment Options at The Center for Sexual Health
There are many treatments available today which are hightly effective in aiding with sexual difficulties. The key is always to get the correct, least costly, and most effective treatment for the problem presented. This in turn means that the process must start with a broad range study of the problem. This must include psychological, emotional, physical, relationship, and historical aspects of the problem. This process begins with a complete history by a trained specialist who understands the complexity of the situation and who has collaborative access to the needed medical and sexual specialties. Once diagnosed properly, the treatments can include:
Making Appointments
To make an appointment, please call us at (919) 406-6800. Your message will be confidential. It is helpful to leave times that you can be reached. Please tell us if you want The Center for Sexual Health to identify itself when the therapist calls. One of our therapists will respond to you within 24 hours, or the next working day. Some initial information will be taken over the telephone and an appointment for an evaluation can be scheduled. Fee schedules can be discussed with individual practitioners. Insurance often covers some part of the fees for evaluation and treatment.
Insurance Coverage
The physicians and therapists at The Center for Sexual Health accept payment from different insurers and may not be covered by the one you have. Sometimes you can elect to use "out of network benefits" with your insurance company. We can also arrange to do only the diagnostic part of your treatment to be sure you get a thorough evaluation and then you can often seek treatment with a provider that is covered by your insurance. If you contact us, please let us know your insurance situation or whether you are going to pay for the service on your own. Some insurance information in contained on the clinician's individual page.
Your First Appointment
During the first interview, your therapist will ask you a number of direct questions about your personal and relationship history, sexual behavior and feelings, and your medical status. Additional information may also be requested from your physician, and you may be referred for a medical examination in order to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment of your concerns. On the basis of this interview, further evaluations or treatment can be planned.
What Is The Professional Background And Training You Should Expect?
Physicians
The physicians listed as affiliated or consulting with The Center for Sexual Health are trained in sexual medicine and show specific interest in human sexuality, and work collaboratively with The Center for Sexual Health. These physicians can identify and treat (or refer for proper medical treatment) the sexual consequence of diseases, surgeries, medications, and other physical problems that directly or indirectly manifest themselves as sexual problems.
www.ncfamilydoctor.com
The Family Doctor
151 Rams Plaza
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
Chair, Dept of Gynecology
UNC School of Medicine
Chapel Hill, NC
Chair, Dept of Urology
UNC School of Medicine
Chapel Hill, NC
Sex Therapists
The CSH Sex Therapists are psychologists, marriage and family therapists, and counselors who have taken special training to become certified by AASECT (American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors, and Therapists) as Diplomates in Sex Therapy. Each of these therapists has extensive experience in couples, family, and individual psychotherapy.
Rebecca Hope Dnistran, MA, LMFT
Primary Medical Affiliates
Glenn Withrow, MD
www.ncfamilydoctor.com
The Family Doctor
151 Rams Plaza
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
919.968.1985, ext 131
See Map
Referral Resource Network
Location
Offices and Therapists
www.trianglefamilytherapy.com
5500 McNeely Drive
Suite 101
Raleigh, NC 27612
919.789.4673
See Map
Ken Lessler, PhD, FAClinP
www.kenlessler.com
We are deeply saddened by the loss of Dr. Ken Lessler. He was widely
admired for his expertise in the field of psychotherapy and in particular
for his tireless efforts to learn more about sexual dysfunction and
treatment.
Elizabeth Norman, MEd, LMFT
819 Broad Street
Durham, NC 27705
Voice Mail: 919.286.3136, ext. 2
See Map
Rosilene Ziegler, PhD
Raleigh Office:
4601 Lake Boone Trail
Suite G
Raleigh, NC 27607
919.787.0980
See Map
Chapel Hill Office:
180 Providence Drive
Suite 7
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
Phone: 919.406.6908
See Map
Links
Email
To contact the designer and maintainer of this web page,
email: webmaster@centerforsexualhealth.com