MFT-6711: Sex Therapy: Clinical Applications

Heiden-Rootes, K., Brimhall, A., Jankowski, P. & Reddick, G. (2017). Differentiation of self and clinician’s perceptions of client sexual behavior as “problematic.” Contemporary Family Therapy: An International Journal, 39(3) 207-219.
A study that explores the role differentiation of self might play in viewing sexual activities.

Henderson, P. (2013). In praise of “ordinary” sex therapy. Sexual and Relationship Therapy, 29(1), 132-134. DOI
An opinion piece on treating sexual pleasure and dysfunction under the umbrella of ordinary sex therapy rather than mutually exclusive topics.

Kissil, K., Carneiro, R., & Aponte, H. J. (2018). Beyond duality: The relationship between the personal and the professional selves of the therapist in Person of the Therapist training. Journal of Family Psychotherapy, 29(1), 71-86.
This article highlights the importance of ongoing self-of-the-therapist work in therapist training.

Love, M., & Farbar, B. A. (2017). Let’s not talk about sex. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 73(11), 1489-1498.
A study that uses both survey and a case illustration to discuss why clients often avoid talking about sex or do not share honestly. It concludes with ways therapists can facilitate conversations about sex and address client concerns about the topic.

Nichols, M., & Fedor, J. P. (2017). Treating sexual problems in clients who practice “kink.” In Z. D. Peterson (Ed.), The Wiley handbook of sex therapy (pp. 420-434).
Chapter 26 focuses on working with clients who participate in sexual activities that are considered kink. The chapter focuses specifically on BDSM. This resource is relevant to this week as it’s an area of sexual activity that many clinicians are uncomfortable with and can help with therapist self-awareness.

Timm, T. M. (2009). “Do I really have to talk about sex?” Encouraging beginning therapists to integrate sexuality into couples therapy. Contemporary Family Therapy, 21(3), 15-33.
This article addresses the discomfort new therapist often have talking about sex with clients and offers some specific questions to use in their work with clients.