Treating Sexual Disorders [Paperback]

Randolph S. Charlton (Editor), Irvin D. Yalom (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 15, 1997 | ISBN-10: 0787903116 | ISBN-13: 978-0787903114 | Edition: 1

A Volume in the Jossey-Bass Library of Current Clinical Technique

Addresses the most current thought on sexual dysfunction. Shared here are clinical techniques and case studies derived from sex therapy, couples and marital therapy, behavior therapy, psychodynamic therapy and psychoanalysis. Also clarified is the reasoning behind the most effective and up-to-date interventions.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"It is an indispensable addition to any professional library."

"The authors' liberal use of case examples and specific suggestions provides a useful resource for those professionals just entering the sex therapy field, and for those professionals who want to increase their skill at handling sexual issues."

" Finally! A volume that addresses the spectrum of issues pertinent to sexual dysfunction--from the physical to the psychological. The writing is excellent and informative, the case examples are plentiful, the degree of empathy and understanding are extraordinary. Psychologist, gynecologist, family practitioner, social worker, or psychiatrist--experienced clinician or graduate student--all will benefit from reading this book." (Avodah K. Offit, M.D., author of Night Thoughts: Reflections of a Sex Therapist, The Sexual Self , and Virtual Love)

"This is a comprehensive, though practical, guide to sex therapy, edited by Randolph Charlton, a clinician with vast experience in the area. The chapters are authored by practitioners who hail from several disciplines and are written in a collegial, easy-to-read style. The book contains many clinical pearls of wisdom and is a must-read for all clinicians interested in helping patients with sexual dysfunction." (Alan F. Schatzberg, M.D., Kenneth T. Norris, Jr., Professor in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine)

From the Inside Flap

Successful treatment of sexual disorders is a multifaceted task, complicated by the need to understand the interaction of a variety of psychological and physiological processes. The therapy of sexual difficulties is made more difficult by the pervasive sense of shame that is part and parcel of every intimate discussion of sexual matters.?Sex therapy? has progressed radically since the days when Masters and Johnson first published their groundbreaking work. To addresses the nature and treatment of sexual dysfunction, the contributors of this volume offer clinical techniques derived from sex therapy, couples and marital therapy, behavior therapy, psychodynamic psychotherapy and psychoanalysis. Theoretical concepts are presented to help the reader understand the reasons behind the most effective and up-to-date therapeutic interventions for the treatment of each of the sexual dysfunctions listed in the DSM IV.Treating Sexual Disorders is written with wisdom, kindness, and empathy for clinicians and their clients. Crafted to be accessible to novice clinicians, and experienced therapists, as well as experts in sexual dysfunction, the book is filled with down-to-earth advice and case examples. Each chapter author is an experienced therapist who presents his or her own personal experience of working with sexual issues. The reader will find a variety of examples of therapeutic methods of dealing with the special transference/countertransference issues that occur in the treatment of clients with sexual dysfunction.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 348 pages
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass; 1 edition (January 15, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0787903116
• ISBN-13: 978-0787903114
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.8 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #791,420 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, with one major concern, July 17, 2006

By 

Bobby Newman (Long Beach, NY USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Treating Sexual Disorders (Paperback)

Treating Sexual Disorders is an excellent, multi-authored work. It describes sex and couples therapy in a comprehensive manner that will be especially useful to the beginning sex therapist. I have one major concern, however, and that is the last chapter (treating paraphilia). The psychodynamic orientation of the author makes him regard paraphilia as inherently pathological, and not just as a result of learning history that gives us all different "turn ons." Charlton speaks, for example, on page 309 of how "working closely with the paphiliacs involves a confrontation with the nature of evil" and later mentions the "evil inherent in perverse sexuality." To be fair, perhaps he was only referring to victimizing or to the DSM IV caveat that the behavior has to cause upset to the person engaging in it or to a victim. The tone of the entire chapter, however, seems to pathologize paraphilia more than the literature supports. In my own practice (I am a licensed psychologist), I see many clients who have been told that any form of unusual sexuality makes them evil or dirty. They don't need any more help to feel that way. More could have been written regarding mutually consensual play between couples that is just a little (or a lot) "kinky" without the heavy judgement. This chapter aside, there is a great deal of value in this volume.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Educational, useful and well written, June 10, 2001

By 

"ronniesss" (Palo Alto, Ca USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Treating Sexual Disorders (Paperback)

As a therapist who sees patients with sexual problems I found this book extremely helpful. The various chapters gave me the tools I needed to understand sexual difficulties from a psychological and physical perspective. I've even referred my patients to selected chapters of the book, and they have reported that they were able to understand the concepts without having a professional education. I would recommend this book to seasoned and novice therapists to add to their library. It addresses areas that therapists tend to avoid.