Sex Therapy with Erotically Marginalized Clients

Damon M. Constantinides, PhD, LCSW, is an individual, relationship, and sex therapist in Philadelphia, PA. He is also adjunct faculty in the Human Sexuality Program at Widener University. Shannon L. Sennott, LICSW, is the co-founder of Translate Gender, Inc. and The Center for Psychotherapy and Social Justice in Northampton, MA, as well as, adjunct Faculty at the Smith School for Social WOrk. Davis Chandler, LICSW, is an individual, family, relationship, and group therapist in Western MA. They utilize a social justice framework focusing on gender diversity and erotically marginalized clients.

List of Figures and Tables

Author Biographies

Contributor Biographies

Preface

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Part I: Foundations






Principle One: Maintain Transparency and Name Systemic and Individual Oppressions
The Case of Wanda: Individual Therapy with a Queer Cisgender Femme of Asian Descent by Lourdes Dolores Follins

The Case of Layla and Michelle: Most Welcome, Bondage, For Thou Art a Way, I Think, to Liberty by Laura Jacobs




Principle Two: Challenge Binary Thinking and its Constrictions
The Case of William: Heteronormatively Queer and Kinky, an Integration Story by Amy Basford-Pequet




Principle Three: Support Willingness to Experience the Anxiety of Uncertainty
The Case of Derick: A Framework for Integration by Thomas Wood

The Case of Niam: Race, Class, Sexuality, and Gender While Being and Becoming by Jaycelle Basford-Pequet

Part II: Practice




Principle Four: Practice a Relational and Dialogic Therapeutic Approach to Sex Therapy
The Case of P: Internalized Heterosexism and the Submissive Heterosexual Cisgender Male by Dulcinea Alex Pitagora




Principle Five: Emphasize Clients’ Own Words, Knowledge, and Narratives
The Case of V by Anastasia Fujii




Principle Six: Locate Oneself and Respond to Clients’ Meta-Communication
The Case of Queeran: When Shared Intersectionality Supports Black, Fat, and Queer Healing by Lexx Brown-James

The Case of Beth by AndreAs Neumann Mascis

Part III: Systemic




Principle Seven: Support Participation of Family and Communities
The Case of Chloe: Identity Exploration using a Black Feminist/Systemic Approach for Working with Erotically Marginalized Clients by Erika Evans-Weaver




Principle Eight: Practice Active Allyship
The Case of B, W, & G: Multiplicity in Positionalities of Therapy with a Poly Triad by Rachel Keller

The Case of Benny: Misogyny and the Dissociated Female Selves by Eve Bogdanove




Principle Nine: Build a Community of Colleagues

Glossary: ‘Defining Erotically Marginalized Identities’ by Ellie K. Lipton

Appendices A-D: Referral Letter, ‘Self-Determined Gender Psychosocial Form’, ‘The Allyship Practice Model for the Transfeminist Therapeutic Approach’, ‘Professional Ethics Statement’

Index