What is SPT?
Surrogate Partner Therapy (SPT) is a triadic model of therapy that includes a therapist, a trained surrogate and a client.
This model creates space for a relationship to develop between the surrogate and the client, while being supervised by the therapist, who is there to help the client process what is happening for them as they develop skills, explore intimacy and the possibility of connection while in relationship with another human being. This relationship between client and surrogate includes two way touch.
The goals of surrogate partner therapy may differ from person to person, but the underlying methods, practice, and skills remain fairly consistent. Clients may be interested in helping address their sexual difficulties or relational challenges and/or they may be focused on overcoming fears of inadequacy, commitment, or shame with their sexual desires. Often, these issues are connected and share a root cause. Surrogate Partner Therapy aims to provide a safe relationship container in which to explore these fears and shame while simultaneously building skills for better connection- internally and with others.
Through trust, accountability, intimacy, and acceptance, clients learn that they have the capacity for real, authentic connection and that they not only have capacity for authentic feelings for others- that they too are worthy of love. This, as much as anything else we do in this model, is what evokes transformation and opens clients to possibilities beyond their expectations.
For more information on the history of Surrogate Partner Therapy, see the International Professional Surrogates Association (IPSA)