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The Treatment of Sexual Dysfunctions - Diagnosis
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Sex History
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Interviewing Technique
In order to be successful, a "sex history" interview must follow these rules:
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Each person must be assured of absolute confidentiality.
This is best accomplished by using a code when recording the answers. This can be an adaptation of Kinsey's unbreakable code or the therapist's own invention. No one but the therapist should be able to read the person's sex history.
each person must be interviewed separately.
Even when couples are being interviewed, they must be separated for the purpose of taking their sex histories. Otherwise they may try to conceal certain important actions or feelings from the therapist and from each other.
- nothing should be assumed about the person being interviewed.
Appearances can be deceiving. Never presuppose some "normal" sexual behavior because the person looks "normal" or unobtrusive! Do not skip interview questions, but ask about everything and you may be surprised!
the interviewers must adopt a neutral, but generally supportive attitude.
They must remain unfazed by whatever they hear and refrain from any moral judgement. This means that they also have to control their own body language and be careful not to show any surprise or to convey approval or disapproval through voice inflection, frowning, or other voluntary or involuntary gestures.
the interview should begin with non-threatening general items.
It should then gradually move to the more intimate issues. This will help to relax the person being interviewed and establish a trusting relationship with the interviewer.
- the interview should proceed in a matter-of-fact manner at a neutral pace.
This is the best way to obtain reliable results. Interrupting the flow of questions or slowing down too much impairs the participants' concentration and invites unhelpful digressions and denials.
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