Talking About Sex in Psychotherapy

"Talking About Sex in Psychotherapy breaks the silence around one of the most crucial—and most neglected—topics in clinical work. This book makes talking about sex in psychotherapy feel not just possible, but essential. Compelling case studies offer a candid look at the real dynamics and transformative potential of therapeutic work involving sexuality. As someone whose life work was spent training therapists, I recommend this provocative, yet practical, book for training programs and for practicing therapists whose education left the topic of sex unaddressed. Every therapist should read this book because staying silent on this topic can harm our clients." - Laurie Mintz, PhD, Emeritus Professor, University of Florida, Gainesville; author of A Tired Woman's Guide to Passionate Sex: Reclaim Your Desire and Reignite Your Relationship; and Becoming Cliterate: Why Orgasm Equality Matters—And How to Get It. From anecdotal to practical research-supported methodology, this book provides applicable therapeutic intervention through case studies and research. There is a smorgasbord of sexuality topics covered, so that novice and advanced therapists can get something from the chapters." - Lexx Brown-James, PhD, LMFT, CSE, CSES, Director of The Institute For Sexuality & Intimacy, LLC, Philadelphia, PA

"Drawing on 4 decades of clinical experience with individuals and couples, Kathryn S. K. Hall makes a compelling case for the essential role of open conversations about sex in psychotherapy. She offers thoughtful, practical guidance on how therapists can approach these often sensitive topics with confidence and care. Rich and engaging case examples bring her insights to life, making the book not only informative but also highly readable." - Cynthia A. Graham, PhD, Distinguished Professor in Gender Studies and Senior Scientist, The Kinsey Institute, Indiana University, Bloomington

"Despite sexuality’s critical role in the human experience and the prevalence of clients’ struggles in this domain, therapists too often avoid conversations with their clients about sex—either because of their own discomfort, limited skills, or a misguided belief in “respect for privacy” regarding sexual issues. Kathryn S. K. Hall offers an essential guide for all therapists who need help talking about sex in psychotherapy. This marvelous resource begins with critical foundations for talking with clients about sex—explicating basic principles for prompting the conversation, navigating clients’ challenges in the dialogue, and recognizing ethical boundaries. Hall then extends these principles to critical issues such as shame, struggles with sexual desire, sequelae of childhood sexual abuse, and various sexual issues in couple therapy. Enlightened discussion is also devoted to problematic pornography and addressing sexuality with clients in consensually nonmonogamous relationships. Talking About Sex in Psychotherapy should be in every clinician’s library and will facilitate effectiveness across a broad spectrum of clients with diverse sexual challenges." - Douglas K. Snyder, PhD, Professor Emeritus of Psychological and Brain Sciences at Texas A&M University, College Station; coauthor of Getting Past the Affair: A Program to Help You Cope, Heal, and Move On—Together or Apart and coeditor of The Clinical Handbook of Couple Therapy

"Kathryn S. K. Hall offers a clear, concise, and comprehensive guide to understanding and working with sexuality that should be essential reading for all psychotherapists. Moving against the grain of outsourcing this topic to a small group of niche specialists, she provides a state-of-the-art guide to how all therapists can better understand and work with sexuality. Including chapters about ethics, open relationships, kinky sex, couple therapy, and pornography, this is very much a 21st century guide to this work that provides the information that today’s therapists need. Well written and filled with illustrative case examples, this book should be in every psychotherapist’s library." - Jay Lebow, PhD, ABPP, Clinical Professor and Senior Scholar, Family Institute at Northwestern and Northwestern University, Evanston, IL