Geneviève Despatie, M.A. Clinical sexologist and psychotherapist

France Cassistat, M.A.

Clinical sexologist and psychotherapist

Welcome!

The decision to consult is never an easy one, but the first contact is the first step to recovery and sexual well-being. During this road to recovery, I will do my best to put you at ease and meet your needs in a safe environment. I can assure you that my services are professional and confidential and follow the utmost ethical standards. I also pursue continued education to make sure that my knowledge and information is up to date in order to better serve my clientele.

I am a member of the Association des sexologues du Québec (member #107786). I have a B.A. (Honours) in Psychology from the University of Ottawa (Ottawa, Ontario) and have completed an M.A. in Sexology (counselling) from the Université du Québec à Montréal (Montreal, Quebec). I completed my internship at the Sexual Dysfunction Clinic of the Montreal General Hospital.

I have written an honours thesis on intimate violence entitled: "Examination of Personal and Dyadic Factors in the Explanation of Couple Violence in Men and Women: Contribution of the Self-Determination Theory" (2005). I have also written a theoretical research paper on sexual addiction entitled: "La dépendance sexuelle: Étude exploratoire et comparative" (2009).

I offer services in both English and French to individuals and couples in sexotherapy or psychotherapy.

Please explore the website and feel free to contact me with any questions regarding my practice or if you wish to make an appointment.

France Cassistat
(514) 588-3356
france.cassistat@gmail.com

 

What is a sexologist (sex therapist) ?


All professionals worthy of this title received their training at the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM). Clinical sexologists (sex therapist) have, for the most part, a university education composed of a bachelor's degree and a clinical master's degree.

Clinical sexologists who are members of the Association des sexologues du Québec (ASQ) are recognised professionals with a specialised sexology masters in counselling. Clinicians are qualified to conduct evaluations, sexotherapy and psychotherapy and must take into consideration all dimensions of the individual during the treatment of the sexual difficulty.

Sexotherapy or sex therapy is the therapeutic encounter between a clinical sexologist and an individual or a couple with the desire to change in order to achieve well-being. Sexotherapy puts emphasis on seeking a solution to a sexual difficulty, which is responsible for suffering. It also has the goal of facilitating the development of a more satisfactory sexuality. Clinical sexologists practice in private clinics or public and parapublic organisations. Most graduates of the masters program have previously obtained a bachelors' degree in sexology, which allows them to oversee sexual education, and administer conferences, as well as professional training.1

Reference: 1 - http://www.associationdessexologues.com

 

Services

For Men

Gentlemen, here are a few examples of reasons that might motivate you to consult:

Sexology:
• Sexual desire problem (hypoactive/absent or low desire, hyperactive/too much or higher desire)
• Ejaculation problem (premature ejaculation, delayed/retarded ejaculation or absence of ejaculation, absence of pleasure with ejaculation, ...)
• Erection problem (erectile dysfunction, erection that lasts too long, not sufficiently firm ...)
• Sexual addiction or compulsivity
• Relationship problems (jealousy, emotional dependence, violence, marital discord,...)
• Traumatic experiences (abuse, incest, rape, ...)
• Sexual problem related to a health problem (cancers, diseases)
• Sexual problems during pregnancy or in relation to the arrival of a child
• Paraphilia, fetishism
• Sexual orientation problems or questioning
• Prostate cancer (psychological help before, during and after medical treatment)
•Body image problem
• Dependence to cybersex and pornography

Psychotherapy:
• Conciliation between work, family and couple
• Stress management
• Time management
• Psychological or sexual harassment in workplace
• Conflicts in the workplace
• Psychological and couple preparedness for retirement
• Tools for healthier life habits
• Family difficulties (parents, children...) Or for any other reason...

 

For women

Ladies, here are a few examples of reason which might motivate you to consult:

Sexology:
• Sexual desire problem (absent or too much)
• Orgasm problem
• Vaginismus (involuntary vaginal muscle contraction, preventing or making difficult penetration)
• Dyspareunia (painful vaginal sensation during sexual intercourse)
• Sexual addiction or compulsivity
• Relationship problems (jealousy, emotional dependence, violence, marital discord...)
• Traumatic experiences (abuse, incest, rape...)
• Sexual problems related to health problem (cancer, disease)
• Sexual problems after childbirth, after menopause...
• Paraphilia, fetishism
• Sexual orientation problems or questioning
• Body image problem
• Breast cancer (psychological help before, during and after medical treatment)

Psychotherapy
• Conciliation between work, family and couple
• Stress management
• Time management
• Psychological or sexual harassment in workplace
• Conflict in workplace
• Psychological and couple preparedness for retirement
• Tools for healthier life habits
• Family problems (parents, children...)

For couples

Therapy can be aimed at both heterosexual and homosexual couples. The reasons for consulting in couple therapy are the same as the previous sections for men and women.

To these can also be added the following:
• Communication problems
• Difficulty with conflict resolution
• Marital discord
• Existential crisis of couple
• Separation and divorce
• Difficult period in life
• Infidelity
• Need to revitalize the relationship
Or for any other reason...

 

Therapeutic approaches

Systemic and interactional
Systemic and interactional approach (couples therapy/relationship counselling): This approach stems from the principle that the couple forms a system and that sexuality is the reflection of its interaction. During the therapeutic process, the partners discover the particular type of system and interaction they have developed in their relationship, their communication, their intimacy and their sexuality.

• The patients are received as a couple
• If necessary, individual sessions can take place
• The length is usually from 12 to 30 sessions, once a week

Cognitive-behavioral
Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT): This approach seeks to treat psychological and sexual problems by acting on the cognitive structure and on the problematic behaviours. During the therapeutic process, the patient explores his/her thought structures, beliefs, internal dialogues, emotions, cognitive schemas and behaviours related to his/her difficulty. Therefore, the treatment seeks to soften the cognitive schemas and to modify the dysfunctional behaviour.

• The patients are received in individual or couples therapy
• The length is usually from 10 to 20 sessions, once a week

Complementary approaches

Schema Therapy (Young): With the help of a questionnaire, the schemas are identified and the therapy not only serves to analyse them, but attempts to soften them. In order to do so, more healthy and balanced strategies are put forward. Cognitive schemas are patterns that seem the best to adopt in a given situation. Incidentally, they are adopted unconsciously. Symbolically, schemas resemble the lenses though which we analyse a situation. Therefore, the schemas help to unconsciously anticipate the most probable situations and to prepare for the consequences.

Impact Therapy: This approach stems from the principle that there exist two types of individuals in terms of how information is treated: the auditory and the visuals. Generally, psychotherapy is mostly focussed on approaches that solicit hearing. And yet, the brain treats and records a large part of the information from the eyes. Therefore, this approach, seeks to speak more to the visuals. In order to do so, expressed feelings, words, and gestures are represented by an object. To use sun glasses to demonstrate that the patient sees their reality with a lot of darkness would be an example of a technique used within this therapeutic approach.

Transactional Analysis: This approach claims that there exist three modes of functioning within: an adult mode, a parent mode and a child mode. In therapy, the objective is for the patient to discover which mode is used to manage and resolve conflict situations, as much in the intimate, sexual and professional spheres.

 

The process of a sex therapy

Regardless of the chosen approach, the therapeutic process typically consists of four phases.1-2

The first phase consists of an evaluation of the problem for which one consults. It is, among other things, at this stage that you can evaluate if you are comfortable with and trust in the therapist. The therapist determines, from their point of view, if there are any counter-indications which would prevent the therapy from proceeding. During the sessions, you could be asked to share your reasons for consulting; the hypotheses which could explain the problem; your personal and sexual history; your relationships with your spouse and family members; your therapeutic past. In short, the therapist makes the assessment of the problematic situation by bringing you to express what you feel is most pertinent for the progression of the therapy.

The second phase consists of a clarification of the problematic situation. Once the alliance is established, the therapist will collect more detailed information concerning the problem which is motivating you to consult. The objective is to understand the conflict before trying to resolve it. At this stage, you and the therapist will formulate the hypotheses which could explain the causes, the triggers and the maintenance of the sexual difficulty. With these hypotheses, you will establish with your therapist the therapeutic objectives and the strategies to achieve them.

The third phase consists of putting into action the treatment plan. The clinical procedure used during the treatment phase can vary from one approach to the other. For example, the therapist could propose relaxation exercises, verbal or corporal communication to do at home. In fact, regardless of the approach, the goal remains the same: reduce your anxieties, modify your false beliefs, as well as your negative thoughts, and modify undesirable behaviour.

The last phase consists of the evaluation of the results of the treatment plan. Before putting an end to the therapy, you will establish an assessment report by pointing out the acquired gains and knowledge and the significant elements of the treatment. The therapist will assure that you can apply to your everyday life certain therapeutic gains in order to facilitate the ongoing management of future conflicts. Finally, six months to a year after the end of the treatment, certain therapists will do a follow-up session.

Finally, it is important to clarify that there exist no therapeutic approach where the therapist can perform inappropriate physical touching, gynaecological exams or verbal, physical or sexual advances. Although this is very unlikely, if you have experienced such a situation, you must contact the Association des Sexologues du Québec (A.S.Q.) in order to put a stop to these illegal practices. Please note that, according to the Code des professions du Quebec3, it is strictly prohibited to have sexual contact with, or in the presence of, your therapist.

References:
1 - Cottraux, Jean. (1990). Les thérapies comportementales et cognitives (3rd ed.). Paris : Masson.
2 - Crépault, Claude. (1997). La sexoanalyse. Paris : Payot.
3 - http://www.opq.gouv.qc.ca

 

Contact Info

For more information or for an appointment, feel free to contact me.

You can reach me at: (514) 588-3356
Or send an e-mail to: france.cassistat@gmail.com

Location

Situated steps away from downtown Montreal, facing Lafontaine Park, the office is easily accessible by public transportation, as well as by vehicle.

1030 Cherrier Street
Suite 314
Montreal, Qc, H2L 1H9
Tel: (514) 588-3356
france.cassistat@gmail.com

By appointment only. No drop-ins.

Directions

For those using public transportation, the office is located 5 minutes walking distance from Sherbrooke metro station (Berri East exit).

If you are driving, it is generally easy to find parking on Cherrier or on the neighbouring streets. There is also a very secure City of Montreal parking lot facing the office beside Lafontaine Park (entry by Calixa-Lavallée Avenue).