The outcome of sexual counselling in the treatment of sexual dysfunction is reviewed. The results of Masters and Johnson's sex therapy, behaviour therapy and psychodynamic psychotherapy are discussed. Most studies suggest that two-thirds of patients respond to sex therapy. Advances in sex therapy of the future will require the formation of integrated, multidisciplinary, sexual dysfunction clinics, including marital, psychiatric, medical, urological and gynaecologic evaluations. Sex therapy combined with pharmacological injections and vacuum devices may be necessary.