LibGuides: SoPSS: Systemic Sex Therapy: Graduate Student Resources

Doctoral Consultations

Doctoral Consultations are live, one-on-one sessions that provide in-depth, high-level, and customized research assistance with a reference librarian. These sessions are most beneficial for students working on a capstone, thesis, or dissertation.

Helpful NU Resources

Academic Success Center (ASC)
Guidance to improve your writing and quantitative reasoning skills.
Applied Doctoral Center
Find the tools you need to guide you on your Applied Doctoral Experience.
Dissertation Center
Find the tools you need to guide you on your Doctoral Student Experience.
Institutional Review Board (IRB)
Prepare to submit your IRB application.

Seminal Authors

William Masters and Virginia Johnson
William Masters and Virginia Johnson made incredibly important contributions to both the field of sex research and the clinical practice of treatment of sexual dysfunctions. Masters, a gynaecologist, and Johnson, a research assistant, were the first to use direct observation to study physiological changes during sexual arousal.
Alfred Charles Kinsey
Kinsey's landmark studies, which emphasized both the variety of human sexual activities and the prevalence of practices that were condemned by society, led to a new openness in attitudes toward sex. His work was part of trend in which laws were liberalized and sex education for children became commonplace. Kinsey's research revived interest in the science of sexology.

Subject-Specific Theories

Credo Reference
Content: A reference database useful for accessing scholarly definitions, background and contextual information. Subjects covered include art, biography, business, economics, education, history, literature, music, psychology, religion, and science and technology.
Purpose: An excellent starting point for brainstorming a research topic and building out your initial search terms list.
Special Features: Mindmap; related articles; image search

Example Dissertations & Theses

Couples Living with Hypersexuality (2024)
This qualitative study explores how hypersexuality, though not formally recognized as a clinical issue, impacts relationship quality and sustainability in committed couples. Using attachment theory, interviews with partners in relationships reveal both positive and negative perceptions of their relationships, highlighting the importance of communication and honesty in managing hypersexual behaviors and suggesting that clinicians can play a key role in improving treatment and intervention strategies for couples affected by these issues.
Are there Differences or Similarities in the Forgiveness level with Infidelity and Cyber-Infidelity (2023)
This quantitative study examined forgiveness in response to infidelity and cyber-infidelity, revealing no significant difference between the two. Although both men and women scored high on the Heartland Forgiveness Scale, the findings indicate that forgiveness levels are not significantly influenced by whether the infidelity is traditional or online, aligning with previous research trends.
Therapy Views of Polyamory: A Qualitative Study (2023)
This study explores the experiences of polyamorous individuals with mental health care, highlighting biases and a lack of understanding from clinicians, which often leads to distrust and inadequate support. The research emphasizes the need for better education and awareness among mental health professionals about polyamory, advocating for more inclusive, non-judgmental, and client-centered therapy.