Seven Weeks to Better Sex [Paperback]

Domeena Renshaw (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Adhering to the structured seven-week program set forth in this do-it-yourself sex therapy manual requires patience-no intercourse is permitted until the fifth week, while, in the meantime, couples do "home loveplay exercises" and gradually get to know each other's preferences and hang-ups. Director of Loyola University's Sex Therapy Clinic, which she founded in Chicago in 1972, Renshaw distills the methods used in her clinical practice, teaching readers how to "fight fairly," to work through anger, resentments and deeper conflicts, to identify emotional needs and desires and to focus on bodily sensations. Many of the techniques presented here were developed by William Masters and Virginia Johnson. This totally frank, detailed manual provides excellent guidance to help couples achieve greater closeness, communication and sexual satisfaction. Line drawings. Literary Guild and Doubleday Book Club alternates; author tour.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

This is a self-help book for committed couples who want to improve their sexual relationships. Renshaw, founder and director of the Loyola Medical School Sex Therapy Clinic, offers basic introductory material about sexuality and sexual dysfunction followed by a seven-week program of exercises and questionnaires based on the work of Masters and Johnson. The advice, somewhat hampered by attempts at cuteness, is practical and offers examples from case histories. Although less complete than Masters and Johnson's Heterosexuality (LJ 2/1/94) and Miriam Stoppard's The Magic of Sex (see "A Remedy for Women's Health Collections," LJ 8/93, p. 69-72) and not as well illustrated as the latter or Anne Hooper's The Ultimate Sex Guide (Dorling Kindersley, 1992), it is an acceptable addition to circulating collections in need of sexual self-help material.
--Barbara M. Bibel, Oakland P.L., Cal.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Dell (January 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0440507529
• ISBN-13: 978-0440507529
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #1,227,072 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars TherapyDoc says Yes to 7 Weeks to Better Sex, May 30, 2006

By	Linda Freedman "LCSW, LMFT, PhD" (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Seven Weeks To Better Sex (Paperback)

I trained with Dr. Renshaw many years ago and integrate her methodology with my marital therapy. She explains basic sexuality and how the body works, debunks myths about sex, and provides an easy to follow, will work if you work it program that adds sexual gratification to marital enhancement. As a psychiatrist working in the relationship field, Dr. Renshaw is head and heels above the rest. The only qualifier for me is that Seven Weeks is misleading. Most people, without a therapist breathing down their neck and helping them with intimacy needs, are not going to do the homework necessary to make the program successful. But as a resource-- magnificent. Thanks, Domeena

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A good alternative to the Sexual Dysfunction Clinic, September 18, 2004

By	Psychiatrist - See all my reviews

This review is from: Seven Weeks To Better Sex (Paperback)

I recommend this book to my patients because we live in an area where there are no Psychiatrists running a Sexual Dysfunction Clinic. I am not even aware of anyone doing "sex therapy" per se in our area. I recommend this text to couples who are commited to making their relationship better by working on their sexual compatibility. The program that this book is based on is a 7 week program in which couples attend for a 5 hour session every week. There is a group lecture and then the couples pair off with their therapy team usually consisting of a male and female therapist licensed to practice in the State of Illinois. Many are physician's in training, medical doctors studying to be Psychiatrists. This book is written in easy language and can be followed at home, by the couple..

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Doctor Renshaw Pioneers Therapy that Works!, January 16, 2010

By	Atis Eduards Feldmanis "Ed, Coach, Therapist" (Chicago, Illinois) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Seven Weeks To Better Sex (Paperback)

This book is truthful, refreshing and extremely helpful. It is based on many case histories and clinical experience. The work in this clinic and the ideas in the book borrow from Maters and Johnson, true pioneers. It also adds a world of experiential understanding to solving sexual problems. I was flabbergasted when I came upon another review by a disgruntled reader. This is what the customer said:

"If you feel you are in among the most stereotypical sets of sex and relationship issues, this book is OK but if you aren't it becomes very much like a pop-psychology book. It's based on the out-dated Masters & Johnson work; however, it is good for the clinical side of sex and is encouraging for helping separate medical from mental problems.

(I) Even went to her clinic but it seemed to be a factory that does not allow for out-of-the-normal issues to be brought up or understood. While she may be great at what she does, her assistants were not."

As a therapist (LCSW) and a person who has read Dr. Renshaw's book, who knows Dr. Renshaw, and as a one who completed an actual rotation in the Loyola Hospital Sexual Dysfuncitons Clinic, I am astounded by the above comment. Each of us has a right to opinions. However, mine is very different than the complaint above. I witnessed the very principles laid out in Doctor Renshaw's book in a practical setting. I saw people being helped. I witnessed many grateful couples whose marriages were saved. The couple in crisis with whom I had the honor to help not only reported to the clinic how much they were helped, but later emailed their gratitude to me.

I find the following generalization untrue, in which the reviewer opines, and I quote, "While she may be great at what she does, her assistants were not." Having met her "assisttants" that is to say co-therapists I found many dedicated, genuine, fine people truly wishing to be of help. I have also encountered at least one unenthusiastic, arrogant therapist. Fortunately, Dr Renshaw has such high standards that no one that is a therapist reveals or dares to reveal, a mean-spirited attitude.

I found this book to be enormously helpful. I found Dr. Renshaw to be amazingly kind and wise. I believe that each person's experience with the book and with the clinic vary. The seemingly ruthless comment that the sex clinic is a "factory" in my experience is untrue. However, be clear, the majority of patients also express gratitude. I believe in this book and I believe in Dr. Renshaw.