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Fantasy

Fantasy in Philadelphia

Fantasy for those living in Philadelphia can be a great way to increase you and your partner's sexual pleasure. Fantasy can be used alone, with a partner, or even in a group. With the use of fantasy, you can go anywhere (way beyond Philadelphia), be anyone and do anything. In some ways, the use of fantasy in the bedroom is the best sexual technique possible. It's cheap, it's easy, it's yours, and best of all, the world will become yours, and you are the master. Sexual fantasies are always available in one's mind.

Frequent concerns that people have when using sexual fantasy

  1. What does the usage of sexual fantasies say about me, or my partner that I/she/he uses fantasy? What if my sexual fantasy is to be raped? - and I enjoy the fantasy?
  2. How will fantasy influence my sexual relationship? What if I decide that I like fantasy better than the real thing? What if I fantasize and do not tell my partner about it? Can we still be as close? Shouldn't my partner be enough to turn me on without using any type of aid? Most people, including married people, fantasize. Fantasies can include imagining your partner sucking harder on your nipples, taking more of your penis into his mouth, having her put her finger inside of you as she nibbles on your clitoral hood, thinking about how the person sitting across the bar from you might approach you and ask if he can buy you a drink. Fantasy is simply a way for people to imagine themselves having an intimate sexual experience in a lot of different ways. Fantasy is all-inclusive and is not limited to just penile-vaginal intercourse.

Fantasies vary a lot from person to person. Some sexual fantasies are about past lovers, friends or even people you have never met in person. Other sexual fantasies are more related to setting; in a lighthouse, under a bed, in a car etc. Fantasies can focus on someone of the same - sex , yourself, and/or an inanimate object. There are no rules. Sometimes people feel upset by their fantasies because it does not include their partner. If this is the case one way to deal with your feelings is by focusing on the positive effects that these fantasies have on you and your partner's sexual relations.

  1. Your increased arousal is something that you bring to the relationship.
  2. Fantasy is an effective way of getting into a sexual mood. Fantasy helps you leave your worries about parenthood, and work behind and focus on the moment.
  3. Fantasy is a way for you to take responsibility for your own level of arousal. You do not need to depend upon your partner to do all the physical and mental work for you. Fantasies are just that. Fantasy. Just because you fantasize about having an orgy, getting whipped, beating a loved one, or having sex in front of a live audience does not mean that you want these fantasies to become reality. Fantasy and behavior are two very different things.

For those of you who are still having negative feelings about your fantasies. Try discussing them with a friend or a partner (whichever feels less threatening). How do you know that you are having negative feelings about your fantasies? In what ways is it preventing/ increasing your sexual pleasure? Where did you learn to feel guilty? Whom else do you know that fantasizes? When was the first time you can remember fantasizing? How often does it occur? In what ways could you imagine your partner enhancing your fantasy? Have you ever tried constructing a joint fantasy? How is it similar? How is it different?

Most people can shrug off the fantasy of having their partner want to be sexual with a famous movie star because the chances of that fantasy ever becoming reality are quite small. In comparison, the fantasy that is most difficult to discuss is the one about a close friend. This fantasy seems to cause the greatest insecurities in the other partner. Yet, having sexual thoughts about lots of people is normal. Acting out on thoughts (while normal) does not always follow fantasy. The difference between fantasy and reality is behavior. In fact, usually if a partner is willing to take the risk to tell you about their 'fantasy' and risk your jealousy, they are coming to you because they trust you and want to get closer with you. They are not doing this because they are going to act on their behavior.

Lastly, when are sexual fantasies unhealthy? When do they stop being fun, healthy, and productive?  What makes the usage of fantasy destructive.

  • You need sexual fantasy to be aroused by yourself or with a partner
  • Your sexual fantasies are consistently more enjoyable than being with yourself or with your partner
  • Sexual fantasies are the primary way that you feel safe
  • You feel ashamed by your sexual fantasies
  • You spend too much time thinking about sexual fantasies
  • You are prioritizing your fantasies over the needs of your lover
  • Your partner has no idea about your sexual fantasies. It is our belief that fantasies are more fun when they are shared!

If you have questions about the "healthiness" of your sexual fantasies, do not hesitate to contact us at Sex Therapy in Philadelphia for an assessment.  We are here to help.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

"Alex" Caroline Robboy,

“Alex” Caroline Robboy, CAS, MSW, ACSW, AAMFT, CSTS, LCSW is the founder and executive director of the Center for Growth Inc / Sex Therapy in Philadelphia, a counseling organization that has an office in Ocean City, New Jersey, Richmond Virginia, Alphretta Georgia and 2 offices in Center City, Philadelphia PA.   In her space time she launched the directory sextherapy.com as a resource tool for professionals dedicated to improving peoples sexual health.  Alex has 25+ years of clinical experience working with adults and children. Specifically, she works with people struggling with compulsion problems, personality disorders, neurodiversity (dyslexia, tourettes, sensory issues, adhd, and high functioning autism) anxiety, depression, postpartum depression, shame, trauma, low self-esteem, grief, relationship issues, sexual function & dysfunction, blended families and parenting concerns. Currently, she provides individual, couples, family therapy and group therapy. Lastly, she offers supervision to both staff and therapists outside of this agency seeking their LCSW or AASECT Certification in sex therapy.  Lastly, thru the Philadelphia International Women’s Project, she led a two year sex therapy group for West African women who experienced Female Genital Cutting as well as a sex therapy group for Sudanese women who experienced Female Genital Cutting. 

Ms. Robboy earned three graduate degrees at the University of Pennsylvania; Masters in Social Work, Post-Masters in Certificate Marriage and Family Therapy with a Specialization in Sex Therapy and a Certificate of Advanced Studies in Human Sexuality Education (otherwise known as ABD) as well as a Certificate in Home and School Social Work. Additionally, Ms. Robboy is an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist and Supervisor of Sex Therapy and an ABS Certified Sexologist. Lastly, she is a Certified Imago Therapist. She is currently pursuing certification in CBIT.