In our first post on our recent Sex Plus Symposium session with Dr. Mark Schoen, we covered the cultural differences in sex education in America and other parts of the world. We also explored the implications those differences can have during adolescence.

In this post, we’ll explore how sexually explicit content crafted for adult viewers can be beneficial during sex therapy treatment.

The Creation of Adult Films

In the 1960s Alfred Kinsey began making sexually explicit films utilizing his fellow faculty members at Indiana University for the purposes of studying sexual behavior.

There was fear at the time these films would be considered pornography rather than used for educational purposes. The term adult film more accurately describes these films as pornography has a more negative and explicit connotation rather than an educational intention.

Another physician, Dr. Edward Tyler, was a medical school professor looking to teach sexuality to his medical students.

Sexual issues and related treatments or cures were discussed, but sexual behavior was a topic students were reluctant to participate in. Dr. Tyler showed a pornographic movie to the class to encourage discussion. The results of that discussion were submitted for use as sexual education materials.

Shortly after that, new academics at the Advanced Institute of Human Sexuality began creating short films depicting couples making love. These ranged from straight, gay, and lesbian couples and showed both rough and tender sex.

This led to the creation of a film titled “A Ripple in Time” and pattern films after it which led to the creation of Sexual Attitude Reassessment (SAR). SAR is a program that shows films displaying a multitude of sexual behaviors which helps open the discussion of different sexual behavior preferences during sex therapy.

Using Adult Films in Therapy

Using adult films as part of a sex therapy journey should be done responsibly. If a therapist suggests integrating adult films into treatment, there are four steps that should be taken.

The four Ps for using adult films in therapy:

Preview. Before you view a film suggested by your therapist, they should have also viewed the material.
Prepare. Discuss with your therapist why you are seeing this film and what you should get out of it.
Presentation. Typically, viewing should be done on your own.
Process. Talk about what you saw and process your feelings, if you liked or didn’t like anything.

Dr. Schoen has an extensive library of educational adult films for sex therapy on his website. It’s best to talk to a therapist about how to utilize these films in your individual treatment plan.

It may be uncomfortable for some to view adult films as part of their sexual education journey. Just remember, these films are not made with the intention of titillating — they’re made to educate. It’s also natural to experience sexual arousal or response when viewing sexual imagery. Gauge your comfort level with your sex therapist and work up to where you’re comfortable with an instructional film.

Schedule a Session

Dr. Schoen shared an anecdote about a 60-year-old woman who had never orgasmed. At Kimberly Keiser and Associates, we are trained to help individuals experience healthy, natural, and well-integrated sexuality.

Our team aims to help those inhibited or shamed by early beliefs about sex and sexuality heal and grow as adults.

Contact us today to set an appointment.

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