Helen Singer Kaplan

Helen singer kaplan

Helen Singer Kaplan (February 6, 1929 – August 17, 1995) was a pioneering figure in the field of sex therapy and sexology. She was an Austrian-born American psychiatrist and sex therapist who founded the first clinic in the United States devoted exclusively to sexual disorders. Kaplan's work significantly influenced the understanding and treatment of sexual dysfunction, making her a key figure in the history of sexual health.

Early Life and Education

Helen Singer Kaplan was born in Vienna, Austria, in 1929. She emigrated to the United States to escape the Nazi regime. Kaplan pursued her education in the U.S., where she earned a medical degree and later obtained a Ph.D. in psychology. Her multidisciplinary approach to sexual health, combining elements of psychiatry, psychology, and sex therapy, was innovative and set the stage for her future contributions to the field.

Career

In 1970, Kaplan founded the Human Sexuality Program at the New York Presbyterian Hospital, which was one of the first clinics to offer comprehensive services for sexual disorders. This clinic was groundbreaking, offering therapy that integrated psychotherapeutic and medical approaches to sexual dysfunction. Kaplan's work at the clinic and her extensive research contributed significantly to the understanding of sexual health and dysfunction.

Kaplan was also a prolific author, writing several influential books on sexual health, including "The New Sex Therapy" (1974) and "Disorders of Sexual Desire" (1979). Her books and numerous articles helped to demystify sexual problems and offered practical advice for overcoming them, making her work accessible to both professionals in the field and the general public.

Contributions to Sex Therapy

Kaplan's contributions to the field of sex therapy were manifold. She is perhaps best known for her triphasic model of sexual response, which includes desire, excitement, and orgasm. This model expanded upon the work of Masters and Johnson, adding the component of desire as an essential element of sexual function. Kaplan's emphasis on the psychological aspects of sexual dysfunction, including the role of anxiety and relational issues, helped to broaden the understanding of these complex problems.

Legacy

Helen Singer Kaplan's legacy in the field of sex therapy and sexology is enduring. She helped to establish sex therapy as a legitimate and necessary field of medical and psychological practice. Her work paved the way for future generations of sex therapists and researchers, and her books continue to be cited and used as key texts in the field.

Kaplan's approach to treating sexual dysfunction, which emphasized a combination of psychotherapy and medical treatment, remains influential. She was a pioneer in recognizing the importance of addressing both the psychological and physiological aspects of sexual health, a perspective that continues to inform contemporary practice in sex therapy.

Death

Helen Singer Kaplan passed away on August 17, 1995, but her work continues to influence the fields of sex therapy and sexology. Her contributions to the understanding and treatment of sexual dysfunction have left a lasting impact on the field, making her one of the most respected and influential figures in the history of sexual health.