Table 3 Cognitive-behavioral couple therapy treatment outline
Session | In-session interventions | Homework exercises |
|---|---|---|
1 | Discuss treatment expectations | Pain and sex journaling |
2 | Psychoeducation re: provoked vestibulodynia | Mindfulness breathing |
3 | Communication: disclosure and validation | Â |
4 | Identifying biopsychosocial factors influencing pain | Pain-localization |
5 | Role of anxiety for pain and sex | Kegel exercises (if appropriate) |
6 | Partner and woman responses to pain | Sensate focus |
7 | Redefining the sexual narrative | Dilatation exercises (if applicable) |
8 | Facilitating sexual desire and arousal | Â |
9 | Psychoeducation re: pain attributions | Â |
10 | Cognitive defusion and meditation | Cognitive defusion |
11 | Importance of self-assertion | Homework choice |
12 | Discussion: information learned and tools for the future | Â |