Sex Surrogates

From Encyclopedia of Sex and Sexuality

Persons, both male and female, who serve as sex partners as part of sex therapy under the supervision of a sex therapist. Their function is to teach and aid a client with no partner to work with and carry out exercises in body sensitivity. They also help males to control ejaculation timing and women to achieve orgasmic functioning. Some therapists have discontinued the use of sex surrogates because clients have become emotionally involved with them. In addition, in many states and countries the use of sex surrogates may be considered illegal because of laws banning prostitution: surrogates usually have some degree of physical sex with their clients and are paid for it. However, a small number of reputable and highly qualified sex therapists maintain that there is value in using sex surrogates for some single clients and continue with them.