Sex Therapy Pioneer Hits At “quacks” (Press, 10 December 1974)

In December 1974, Charles Foley reported on the burgeoning sex therapy industry in the United States, which has seen a rapid increase in the number of clinics and treatment centres, now numbering around 5,000. This surge in availability marks a significant departure from just five years earlier, when discussing sexual issues was largely taboo, and individuals seeking help had limited options. Pioneering figures in the field, Dr William Masters and Virginia Johnson, expressed concern over the proliferation of these clinics, which they claim are predominantly staffed by incompetent individuals and outright frauds. According to Masters, the rise in sexual therapy has been driven primarily by profit motives, citing that many people seeking assistance are often exploited financially by these clinics, with rates starting at $25 an hour. Masters referred to a previous study he conducted, revealing that 70% of married couples experienced some level of sexual dysfunction. He had foreseen the potential for the field to devolve into a spectacle, laden with quack remedies and dubious practices, such as therapists encouraging sexual activities with clients under the guise of treatment. A disconcerting 85% of individuals seeking help at Masters and Johnson's clinic had reportedly previously sought help from other therapist entities, highlighting a growing dissatisfaction and danger in the industry. The article notes investigations by the New York Attorney General, which uncovered that many self-appointed therapists not only lacked credentials but could also pose a danger to their clients, leading to severe mental disturbances or, in some cases, suicide. Masters and Johnson feel frustrated that many clinics falsely claim to use their therapeutic methods, while in fact, they follow no formal protocol. Masters and Johnson began their work in human sexual dysfunction in 1959 after extensive research on sexual behaviour and malfunctions, which has helped numerous couples achieve sexual fulfilment over the years. Their two-week therapy program costs around $2,500, and while they once employed sex partners for treatment, they ceased that practice four years prior due to legal challenges. In the article, Dr Benjamin Graber, a physician from Los Angeles, echoed Masters's sentiments about the need for professional standards in the industry, especially in the face of numerous dubious clinics that exploit vulnerable patients. With no legal framework to regulate sex therapy or establish minimum professional standards, the duo called for increased awareness from the public and the media regarding qualifications of therapists. They also urged the American Medical Association to convene a seminar aimed at establishing clinical standards and licensing laws to prevent further discrediting of legitimate therapeutic practices in the field of sexual health.

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