
Sexuality Counseling
Theory, Research, and Practice
SAGE Publications Inc (Publisher)
1st Edition
Published on 16. March 2016
Book
Paperback/Softback
368 pages
978-1-4833-4372-3 (ISBN)
Shipment within 10-20 days
Description
"Sexuality Counseling: Theory, Research, and Practice is an important resource for mental health practitioners. Sexuality is complex and rather than attempting to simplify, this book works within that complexity in a well-organized and comprehensive way."
- Alexandra H. Solomon, Northwestern University
Providing a comprehensive, research- and theory-based approach to sexuality counseling, this accessible and engaging book is grounded in an integrative, multi-level conceptual framework that addresses the various levels at which individuals experience sexuality. At each level (physiological, developmental, psychological, gender identity and sexual orientation, relational, cultural/contextual, and positive sexuality), the authors emphasize practical strategies for assessment and intervention. Interactive features, including case studies, application exercises, ethics discussions, and guided reflection questions, help readers apply and integrate the information as they develop the professional competency needed for effective practice.
- Alexandra H. Solomon, Northwestern University
Providing a comprehensive, research- and theory-based approach to sexuality counseling, this accessible and engaging book is grounded in an integrative, multi-level conceptual framework that addresses the various levels at which individuals experience sexuality. At each level (physiological, developmental, psychological, gender identity and sexual orientation, relational, cultural/contextual, and positive sexuality), the authors emphasize practical strategies for assessment and intervention. Interactive features, including case studies, application exercises, ethics discussions, and guided reflection questions, help readers apply and integrate the information as they develop the professional competency needed for effective practice.
Reviews / Votes
"Sexuality Counseling: Theory, Research, and Practice is an important resource for mental health practitioners. Sexuality is complex and rather than attempting to simplify, this book works within that complexity in a well-organized and comprehensive way." -- Alexandra H. Solomon "[This is] a comprehensive, multimodal text that works to provide counseling students and those in the field of social work with practical skills to empower their clients to make positive changes in their sexual lives." -- Matthew K. Siemionko "An inclusive and coherent resource which will prove invaluable in preparing to work with clients concerned with issues of sexuality and intimacy." -- Sue BeckerMore details
Series
Edition
First Edition
Language
English
Place of publication
Thousand Oaks
United States
Target group
College/higher education
Dimensions
Height: 235 mm
Width: 191 mm
Thickness: 20 mm
Weight
687 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-4833-4372-3 (9781483343723)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
New editions

Amber L. Pope | Christine E. (Elizabeth) Murray | Benjamin T. (Tinsley) Willis
Sexuality Counseling
Theory, Research, and Practice
Book
approx. 12/2026
2nd Edition
SAGE Publications Inc
€154.50
Not yet published
Persons
Dr. Christine E. Murray is an Associate Professor and Coordinator of the Couple and Family Counseling Track in the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) Department of Counseling and Educational Development. Dr. Murray received her Ph.D. in Counselor Education, with a specialization in Marriage and Family Counseling, from the University of Florida. She completed her undergraduate degree in Psychology and Sociology at Duke University. She teaches graduate-level courses in family counseling, family violence, sexuality counseling, and counseling research. Dr. Murray is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in North Carolina. She has worked as a therapist in the adult outpatient department in a community mental health agency, where she worked primarily with adults who experienced chronic mental health disorders. She also has provided counseling in a variety of other settings, including a school for at-risk adolescents, a children's outpatient mental health treatment department, a juvenile delinquency diversion program, and churches.
Dr. Murray's primary research interest relates to the bridging the gap between research and practice in the area of domestic violence. In addition, she has published in the areas of sexuality counseling, counselor education, premarital counseling and the role of resources in couple relationships. Dr. Murray has authored over 45 published or "in press" articles in peer-reviewed scholarly journals. Dr. Murray is the lead author of Responding to Family Violence, a book on conducting psychotherapy with clients impacted by various forms of family violence, which was released in September 2012 by Routledge Mental Health. In addition, Dr. Murray wrote a popular press book, Just engaged: Prepare for your marriage before you say "I do," which was based on her dissertation research and was published by Adams Media in 2008. She is also the co-founder of the See the Triumph campaign (www.seethetriumph.org), which aims to end the stigma surrounding intimate partner violence.
Amber L. Pope, PhD, LPC, LMHC, CCTP is an Assistant Professor of Counselor Education at
William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, where she leads the Couple, Marriage, and Family
Counseling Area. She earned her graduate degrees in Counselor Education and Supervision at
the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Currently, she serves on the editorial boards
for the Journal of LGBTQ Issues in Counseling and the Journal of Counseling Sexology and Sexual
Wellness. Additionally, she is the Research and Scholarship Committee Chair for the Association
of Counseling Sexology and Sexual Wellness and the Supervision Representative for the Virginia
Association of Counselor Education and Supervision. The Southern Association for Counselor
Education recognized her as an Emerging Leader. Dr. Pope's research interests focus on culturally
responsive counselor education and supervision, primarily improving training in LGBTQ+
affirmative counseling and sexuality counseling. Her books include Sexuality Counseling: Theory,
Research, and Practice and the forthcoming coedited text, LGBTQ Affirmative Counseling: An
Evidence-Based Guide for Students and Practitioners. In addition to her own books, Dr. Pope has
contributed to chapters in multiple textbooks and has over twenty peer-reviewed counseling
research and practice publications. Dr. Pope is a licensed professional counselor and licensed
mental health counselor with certifications in clinical trauma work, telehealth, emotionally
focused therapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). Her clinical expertise is in couples
and family counseling, sexuality counseling, and LGBTQ+ affirming counseling. She lives in
Williamsburg, Virginia, with her husband and dog.
Ben T. Willis is an Assistant Professor and co-Program Director of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program at the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania. He regularly teaches and supervises master's in counseling students in research methods, assessment and diagnosis, group process and practice, professional issues, practicum, and internship. Dr. Willis received his M.S. with a specialization in Couples and Family Counseling and his Ph.D. in Counselor Education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. He received his bachelor's degree in biology from the UNC Chapel Hill. He is a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate in North Carolina as well as a National Certified Counselor and Approved Clinical Supervisor. He has experience counseling in community agency, private practice, and college university settings working with a variety of presenting concerns including mood, anxiety, identity, relationship, development and adjustment, sexuality, substance issues, child abuse/neglect, and health concerns. He has completed an externship in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy and utilizes a developmental and wellness approach in working with clients and students. His research is focused around how people develop and change their self-conceptualization of specific identities as well as their general sense of self.
Dr. Murray's primary research interest relates to the bridging the gap between research and practice in the area of domestic violence. In addition, she has published in the areas of sexuality counseling, counselor education, premarital counseling and the role of resources in couple relationships. Dr. Murray has authored over 45 published or "in press" articles in peer-reviewed scholarly journals. Dr. Murray is the lead author of Responding to Family Violence, a book on conducting psychotherapy with clients impacted by various forms of family violence, which was released in September 2012 by Routledge Mental Health. In addition, Dr. Murray wrote a popular press book, Just engaged: Prepare for your marriage before you say "I do," which was based on her dissertation research and was published by Adams Media in 2008. She is also the co-founder of the See the Triumph campaign (www.seethetriumph.org), which aims to end the stigma surrounding intimate partner violence.
Amber L. Pope, PhD, LPC, LMHC, CCTP is an Assistant Professor of Counselor Education at
William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, where she leads the Couple, Marriage, and Family
Counseling Area. She earned her graduate degrees in Counselor Education and Supervision at
the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Currently, she serves on the editorial boards
for the Journal of LGBTQ Issues in Counseling and the Journal of Counseling Sexology and Sexual
Wellness. Additionally, she is the Research and Scholarship Committee Chair for the Association
of Counseling Sexology and Sexual Wellness and the Supervision Representative for the Virginia
Association of Counselor Education and Supervision. The Southern Association for Counselor
Education recognized her as an Emerging Leader. Dr. Pope's research interests focus on culturally
responsive counselor education and supervision, primarily improving training in LGBTQ+
affirmative counseling and sexuality counseling. Her books include Sexuality Counseling: Theory,
Research, and Practice and the forthcoming coedited text, LGBTQ Affirmative Counseling: An
Evidence-Based Guide for Students and Practitioners. In addition to her own books, Dr. Pope has
contributed to chapters in multiple textbooks and has over twenty peer-reviewed counseling
research and practice publications. Dr. Pope is a licensed professional counselor and licensed
mental health counselor with certifications in clinical trauma work, telehealth, emotionally
focused therapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). Her clinical expertise is in couples
and family counseling, sexuality counseling, and LGBTQ+ affirming counseling. She lives in
Williamsburg, Virginia, with her husband and dog.
Ben T. Willis is an Assistant Professor and co-Program Director of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program at the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania. He regularly teaches and supervises master's in counseling students in research methods, assessment and diagnosis, group process and practice, professional issues, practicum, and internship. Dr. Willis received his M.S. with a specialization in Couples and Family Counseling and his Ph.D. in Counselor Education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. He received his bachelor's degree in biology from the UNC Chapel Hill. He is a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate in North Carolina as well as a National Certified Counselor and Approved Clinical Supervisor. He has experience counseling in community agency, private practice, and college university settings working with a variety of presenting concerns including mood, anxiety, identity, relationship, development and adjustment, sexuality, substance issues, child abuse/neglect, and health concerns. He has completed an externship in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy and utilizes a developmental and wellness approach in working with clients and students. His research is focused around how people develop and change their self-conceptualization of specific identities as well as their general sense of self.
Content
Series Editors' Preface: Introduction to the Series, by Richard Parsons and Naijian Zhang
Acknowledgments
About the Authors
Chapter 1: Addressing Sexuality in Professional Counseling
Defining Sexuality
A Comprehensive, Contextual Framework for Understanding Sexuality
Professional Issues in Sexuality Counseling
Professional Competence in Sexuality Counseling
Ethical Considerations for Sexuality Counseling
Interdisciplinary Collaborations for Sexuality Counseling
Overview of the Remainder of This Book
Chapter 2: Assessment in Sexuality Counseling
General Assessment Strategies
Dimensions of Assessment in Sexuality Counseling
Physiology
Appendix: Directory of Selected Instruments for Assessing Sexuality
Chapter 3: General Interventions and Theoretical Approaches to Sexuality Counseling
General Guidelines for Sexuality Counseling
Review of Approaches to Sexuality Counseling
Treatment for Specific Sexuality Concerns and Using Unique Treatment Modalities
Treatment Outcomes in Sexuality Counseling
Chapter 4: Physiology and Sexual Health
Overview of Physiology and Anatomy Related to Sexual Functioning
Safer Sex Practices
Physical Health Issues
Reproductive Health
Chapter 5: Lifespan Development and Sexuality
Sexuality Across the Life Cycle: An Overview
Sexuality in Childhood
Sexuality in Adolescence
Sexuality in Adulthood
Chapter 6: Sexuality and Mental Health
Sexual Decision Making
Sexual Implications of Mental Health Disorders
Substance Abuse and Sexuality
Sexual Dysfunctions
Sexual Trauma
Chapter 7: Gender Identity and Affectional/Sexual Orientation
Defining Gender Identity and Affectional/Sexual Orientation
Historical, Societal, and Cultural Context
Traditional Sexual Ideologies
Gender Identity
Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Affectional Orientations
Ethical Concerns in Working With LGBTIQQA Clients
Chapter 8: Sexuality and Intimate Relationships
The Dynamics of Couple Relationships
Integrating Sexuality Counseling With Couples Counseling
Sexuality Counseling for Specific Relationship Concerns
Chapter 9: Cultural and Contextual Influences on Sexuality
An Intersectional Approach to Understanding Culture and Sexuality
Religion and Sexuality
Race, Culture, Ethnicity, and Sexuality
Socioeconomic Status and Sexuality
Sexuality and Geographic and Regional Variations
Sexuality and the Media
Counseling Strategies for Addressing Cultural and Contextual Influences on Sexuality
Chapter 10: Positive Sexuality: A New Paradigm for Sexuality Counseling
Defining Positive Sexuality
Factors Supporting Positive Sexuality: Revisiting the Contextualized Sexuality Model
Benefits of Positive Sexuality
Counseling Strategies to Help Clients Foster Positive Sexuality
Epilogue: From the Author's Chair
References
Index
Acknowledgments
About the Authors
Chapter 1: Addressing Sexuality in Professional Counseling
Defining Sexuality
A Comprehensive, Contextual Framework for Understanding Sexuality
Professional Issues in Sexuality Counseling
Professional Competence in Sexuality Counseling
Ethical Considerations for Sexuality Counseling
Interdisciplinary Collaborations for Sexuality Counseling
Overview of the Remainder of This Book
Chapter 2: Assessment in Sexuality Counseling
General Assessment Strategies
Dimensions of Assessment in Sexuality Counseling
Physiology
Appendix: Directory of Selected Instruments for Assessing Sexuality
Chapter 3: General Interventions and Theoretical Approaches to Sexuality Counseling
General Guidelines for Sexuality Counseling
Review of Approaches to Sexuality Counseling
Treatment for Specific Sexuality Concerns and Using Unique Treatment Modalities
Treatment Outcomes in Sexuality Counseling
Chapter 4: Physiology and Sexual Health
Overview of Physiology and Anatomy Related to Sexual Functioning
Safer Sex Practices
Physical Health Issues
Reproductive Health
Chapter 5: Lifespan Development and Sexuality
Sexuality Across the Life Cycle: An Overview
Sexuality in Childhood
Sexuality in Adolescence
Sexuality in Adulthood
Chapter 6: Sexuality and Mental Health
Sexual Decision Making
Sexual Implications of Mental Health Disorders
Substance Abuse and Sexuality
Sexual Dysfunctions
Sexual Trauma
Chapter 7: Gender Identity and Affectional/Sexual Orientation
Defining Gender Identity and Affectional/Sexual Orientation
Historical, Societal, and Cultural Context
Traditional Sexual Ideologies
Gender Identity
Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Affectional Orientations
Ethical Concerns in Working With LGBTIQQA Clients
Chapter 8: Sexuality and Intimate Relationships
The Dynamics of Couple Relationships
Integrating Sexuality Counseling With Couples Counseling
Sexuality Counseling for Specific Relationship Concerns
Chapter 9: Cultural and Contextual Influences on Sexuality
An Intersectional Approach to Understanding Culture and Sexuality
Religion and Sexuality
Race, Culture, Ethnicity, and Sexuality
Socioeconomic Status and Sexuality
Sexuality and Geographic and Regional Variations
Sexuality and the Media
Counseling Strategies for Addressing Cultural and Contextual Influences on Sexuality
Chapter 10: Positive Sexuality: A New Paradigm for Sexuality Counseling
Defining Positive Sexuality
Factors Supporting Positive Sexuality: Revisiting the Contextualized Sexuality Model
Benefits of Positive Sexuality
Counseling Strategies to Help Clients Foster Positive Sexuality
Epilogue: From the Author's Chair
References
Index