ABSTRACT
MINDFULNESS & SELF-COMPASSION
IN THE TREATMENT OF SEXUAL DYSFUNCTION
Rami Nijjar, PhD
Presented at the Annual Meeting for the Society of Sex Therapy and Research (2021)
Introduction: Secure attachment and interpersonal safety are crucial for physical, mental, relational, and sexual health (Pietromonaco & Powers, 2015). However, this means that those who suffer from attachment trauma, including marginalization and childhood adversity (Mikulincer & Shaver, 2007), suffer the dual disadvantage of not being able to form healthy relationships, further compromising their health and wellbeing. As such, developing therapy protocols that address diverse populations may have important social and health consequences.
Method: Past research shows that mindfulness can help folks circumvent challenges with sexual function and intimacy (Brotto & Basson, 2014). However, those experiencing attachment trauma and marginalization can struggle to find relief through mindfulness techniques due to high distress, shame, and dissociative tendencies (Traleaven, 2018). Self-compassion (SC) may serve as the missing link. SC is thought to improve relationships through addressing internalized interpersonal stress. It is positively associated with secure attachment and ability to seek connection under duress (Neff & Beretvas, 2012) and negatively associated with narcissism, social comparison (Neff & Vonk, 2009), shame, and negative body image (Johnson & O’Brian, 2013) . As such, SC may be an important skill to cultivate for those who struggle with intimacy and sexual function, especially those whose lives contain higher levels of adversity than those often represented in the sex, couples therapy, and mindfulness literatures.
Results: Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC), a program developed by Kristin Neff and Christopher Germer, operates on the principle that SC is a skill that can be taught, one that can ameliorate psychological distress (Raab, 2014) and improve relational satisfaction (Neff et al., 2012). However, little is documented about the impact of self compassion on sexual well-being.
Discussion: The proposed workshop will explore how MSC practices can be used to improve sexual and emotional wellbeing. We will look at how these practices may be incorporated into work with couples and individuals and how they can be used to adapt Sensate Focus instructions.
Utility/Limitations: There is little research on the relationship between self-compassion and sexual function. However, clinical experience suggests that self-compassion bolsters sexual function by helping soothe shame, enabling a sense of safety in the body, and improving body image and self concept at large. As such, the following workshop may serve to inform future research programs that seek to ameliorate sexual functioning in diverse populations.
Behavioral Learning Objectives: After attending this presentation, participants will be able to:
Explain how self-compassion skills can be linked to improved sexual functioning
Identify when and how to implement Mindful Self-Compassion into sex therapy treatment plans.
Build upon a greater conceptual understanding of how marginalization and early life stress contribute to sexual dysfunction.
References:
Brotto, L.A. & Basson, R. (2014). Group mindfulness-based therapy significantly improves
sexual desire in women. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 57, 43-54.
Johnson, E.A. & O’Brian,K. (2013). Self compassion soothes the savage EGO-threat system:
effects of negative affect, shame, rumination, and depressive symptoms. Journal of
Social and Clinical Psychology, 32, 939-963.
Mikulincer, M. & Shaver, P.R. (2007). Attachment in adulthood (2nd edition): Structure, dynamics, and change.
Neff, K. & Beretvas, S.N. (2012). The Role of self compassion in romantic relationships. Self
and Identity, 1-21.
Neff, K. & Vonk, C.D. (2009). Self compassion versus global self esteem: Two different ways of relating to oneself. Journal of Personality, 77, 1, 23-50.
Pietromonaco, P.R. & Powers, S.I. (2015). Attachment and health-related physiological stress
processes. Current Opinion in Psychology, 1, 1, 34-39.
Raab, K.(2014). Mindfulness, self compassion and empathy among health care professionals: a
review of the literature. Journal of Healthcare Chaplaincy, 20, 3, 95.108.
Traleaven, D.A.(2018). Trauma-sensitive mindfulness: practices for safe and transformative healing. New York, New York: W.W. Norton.
Biography:
Dr. Rami Nijjar is a clinical psychologist, sex therapist, and trained Mindful Self Compassion teacher. In her private practice she specializes in addressing intimacy issues with individuals from marginalized populations and those with attachment trauma. Previously, she worked alongside Dr. Lori Brotto, running mindfulness-based groups for women with low desire and vulvodynia and couples post prostate cancer treatment.