A naked therapist discussing sexual surrogacy on public radio waves…maybe the modern world isn’t so censored after all. Yesterday, CJAD DJ Barry Morgan invited Sarah* to discuss the recent exposure of Padma Deva, a sexual surrogate who works with clients to overcome sexual issues such as erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation. Sounds like your run of the mill sexual therapist, until you realize Padma Deva actually has sex with her clients in order to heal them. Then she sounds like your run of the mill something else.

Professional Pumps, but for which Profession?

Despite many jokes and criticisms to the contrary, sexual surrogacy is not a branch of prostitution but instead psychotherapy. Sexual surrogates like Deva are trained psychotherapists, frequently working alongside other psychologists in order to supplement traditional talk therapy with a more heuristic treatment. Although surrogates may partake in the same behavior as prostitutes, they hope to convince the mainstream world that their profession is something different entirely. I, for one, believe them.  Do carpenters and sculptures share the same profession, because they both build things from stone and wood? Are lawyers and actors the same, because they’re both paid to convince an audience what they say is true? Nope.

As Sarah explained on air yesterday, the distinction between sexual surrogates and prostitutes is not found in their actions, but their intentions. Clients do not seek sexual surrogates for a simple and stress-free screw. There are easier, less emotionally demanding ways to get your rocks off. Instead, clients come to sexual surrogates to untangle the psychological and physical blocks that create sexual deficiency.

However I realize that in this case, it’s a very thin line between sex therapy and sex work. I even understand why many view sexual surrogacy as a partner to prostitution. That’s why I feel it important to stress that sexual surrogacy is different from the naked therapy practice.  While I don’t pretend to claim that one is more morally or psychologically legitimate, there are quite a few distinctions to be made between the two forms of therapy.

I think the most obvious difference is that naked therapists don’t engage in any form of sexual contact with the client. It’s also important to note that naked therapy is a version of talk therapy, and is not limited to sexual matters. In his critique of sexual surrogacy, Dr. Michael Mantell claims that, “the services of a surrogate do not resolve underlying emotional and relationship difficulties. Surrogacy may teach about sexuality, but it does not teach about love or how to maintain a loving relationship.”  The same cannot be said of naked therapy. Naked therapy is more holistic in its content, and addresses both the physical and emotional challenges of sexuality as well as asexual topics such as depression, anxiety, work etc. Yes, arousal and nudity frequently punctuate these conversations, but that is only to integrate sexuality into regular life, which is often difficult for those suffering from sexual dysfunction.

Although there are distinctions to be made between sexual surrogacy and naked therapy, I am happy to see the discussion build around another controversial, and sexually liberal therapy practice. In fact, I think its important to note that—despite the continuous press and media attention given to sexual surrogacy since its conception in the 50s—it remains entirely legal.

Sexual Surrogacy isn’t a hidden profession. Yet, if it is so close to prostitution, how is it that the practice is still legal? Have prostitution laws simply failed to keep up with modern sexual culture, or does the law recognize the same distinction Sarah and I both made between sexual surrogacy and sex work? If so, does that mean we’re moving towards a more permissive world, one that can accept sexuality and psychology as partners?

I sure hope so.

*To hear Sarah’s interview with Barry Morgan, visit her diary entry here