What Every Mental Health Professional Needs to Know About Sex (eBook)

Contents

Foreword by Paul Joannides, PsyD

Preface

Part I: The Courage to Treat Sexual Problems

1. Sexuality and the Mental Health Profession

Why the silence about sexuality?

Take-away points

Activities

Resources

References

2. Making the Shift: Comfort With Sexuality

Stage 1: self-examination

Stage 2: sex from the client’s point of view

Stage 3: freedom and comfort in talking about sex

Stage 4: a new level of comfort with clients’ issues

Supervision and consultation

Take-away points

Activities

Resources

References

3. Sexual Anatomy and Psychosexual Development

Sexual anatomy

Sexual development

Take-away points

Activities

Resources

References

Kegels for everyone

4. Evolution of the Field of Sexology and Sexual Health Definitions

Historical view of sexual health

Scholarly definitions of sexual health

Risks to sexual health

Relational factors and sexual health

The sexuality of the therapist

Take-away points

Activities

Resources

References

Declaration of sexual rights

How to use a condom consistently and correctly

Part II: Assessing and Treating Sexual Concerns

5. Assessing Sexual Problems

Sexological microsystem

Sexological mesosystem

Sexological exosystem

Sexological macrosystem

Sexological chronosystem

The sexological ecosystemic assessment

The sexual genogram

Take-away points

Activities

Resources

References

Sexological ecosystemic questionnaire

6. Women’s Sexual Health Problems

Female sexual interest/arousal disorder

Losing one’s natural drive: low interest in sex

Female orgasmic disorder

Sexual disgust: A problem with no diagnosis

Take-away points

Activities

Resources

References

Sensate focus activities

Experiencing orgasm

7. Men’s Sexual Health Problems

Socialization and male sexuality

Erectile disorder

Improving erectile function and sexual confidence

The problem of ejaculating quickly

Developing ejaculatory control

When ejaculation is delayed

Male hypoactive sexual desire disorder

Treating low desire in men

Take-away points

Activities

Resources

References

Tips for better erections

Tips for lasting longer

8. Relationships and Sex Therapy

Factors that contribute to sexual dissatisfaction

Take-away points

Activities

Resources

References

Talking to each other about sex

Sex, love, and contraception

A trip to the sex toy shop

I like/I don’t like…

9. Parents’ Questions About Sex

When to start talking about sex

Answering parents’ common questions

Take-away points

Activities

Resources

References

Talking to your children about sex

Talking about sexual values

10. Therapy With Sexual Minorities

Understanding sexual orientation

Avoiding bias

Asexuality

The transgender experience

Sexual behavior in the LGBTQ population

Treating sexual problems in LGBTQ clients

Take-away points

Activities

Resources

References

Preparing for anal sex

11. Sexuality and Mental Health Problems

Assessing sexual problems caused by mental illness

Depressive and bipolar disorders

Anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorders

Trauma-related disorders

Feeding and eating disorders

Substance-related disorders

Neurodevelopmental disorders

Somatic disorders

Personality disorders

Sexual side effects of antidepressant and antipsychotic drugs

Management strategies

Other drugs that can cause sexual problems

Take-away points

Activities

Resources

References

When a partner is mentally ill: relationship tips

12. Sexual Recovery in Trauma Survivors

Posttraumatic stress disorder versus complex trauma

Complex trauma in survivors of childhood sexual abuse

Treating sexual problems in adult survivors of abuse

Military sexual trauma

Novel approaches to treating trauma

Addressing specific sexual dysfunctions

A final word to therapists about treating survivors

Take-away points

Activities

Resources

References

Mindfulness and sexuality

Understanding sexual triggers

13. Healing Painful Sex

Understanding pain

Assessment of sexual pain disorders

The psychological fallout of painful sex

Types of sexual pain disorders in women

Treatment of female sexual pain disorders

Types of sexual pain disorders in men

Mental health in the treatment of men’s sexual pain disorders

A word about integrated care

Take-away points

Activities

Resources

References

Understanding pain management

Outercourse

14. Sexuality and Reproduction

Infertility

Sexual dysfunction and infertility

Effect on the couple’s intimacy

Assessment and treatment of infertility-related sexual problems

Sexuality, pregnancy, and the postpartum period

Treatment of sexual problems related to pregnancy and childbirth

Take-away points

Activities

Resources

References

Sex after baby

15. Sexuality and Medical Problems

Effects of illness on relationships and sexuality

Cancer

Chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia

Diabetes mellitus

Neurological disorders

Skin disorders

Assessment

Treatment

Take-away points

Activities

Resources

References

Preparing to engage in sexual activity

Tips for coping with chronic illness or cancer together

16. Sexually Transmitted Infections

Bacterial vaginosis

Chlamydia

Genital herpes

Gonorrhea

HIV/AIDS

Human papillomavirus

Syphilis

Talking to couples and sexually active individuals about STIs

Take-away points

Activities

Resources

References

Preventing STIs

17. Sexuality and Aging

Myths about sexuality in older adults

Understanding obstacles to sexual activity as we age

Assessment of sexual problems in aging adults

Take-away points

Activities

Resources

References

Enjoying sex as a mature adult

18. Alternative Sexual Practices

Alt sex practices in therapy

Who practices alt sex—and why?

Assessment and treatment of alt sex practices

Take-away points

Activities

Resources

References

19. Out-of-Control Sexual Behavior

Historical view

Assessment of OCSB

Treatment of OCSB

Take-away points

Activities

Resource

References

Dealing with OCSB

Part III: Ethics and Practice of Sex Therapy

20. Ethical Management of Sex Therapy Casework

Maintaining appropriate boundaries

Transference and countertransference of attraction

Objectivity around issues of sexuality

Sexual medicine: blessing or curse?

Managing secrets in conjoint therapy

Take-away points

Activities

Resources

References

21. Sex Therapy: Now and in the Future

Problems in the field

The practice of sex therapy

Marketing yourself as a sex therapist

Continuing education

In closing

Take-away points

Resources

References

Index