Editorial introduction

Happy 2021! This first issue of our 36^th volume is a standard issue. In this issue we have several articles, which focus on a variety of topics like low sexual desire, jealousy, the use of poetry in sex therapy, assessment of relationship ‘addiction,’ and sexual health promotion. There are also a few more articles in the issue that have already garnered quite a bit of attention in the early view online hosting of the journal’s website. The first of these is focused on infidelity and attachment trauma (Warach & Josephs, 2019) and the second is focused on the role of attitudes, health, and relationship factors in partnered sexual activity among older adults (Fischer et al., 2018). We hope you find each of the scholarly works in this issue helpful in your practice.

Also included in this first issue is a call for our upcoming “Special Issue on Sexuality, Religion, and Spirituality.” This special issue seeks to examine current writings, research, religions, faiths, and spiritual practices as they relate to sexuality, intimate relationships, sexual functioning, and gender in a therapeutic context. For this special issue, we have a Guest Editor, Dr. Mark Levand, PhD., MA., MEd., CSE (he/him). Dr. Levand, who is based on the eastern coast of the United States, is an American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT) Certified Sexuality Educator. Dr. Levand holds masters’ degrees in Theology and Religious Studies (John Carroll University, 2011) and Human Sexuality Education (Widener University, 2014), as well as a PhD from Widener University’s Center for Human Sexuality Studies (2018). Dr. Levand is also a faculty member at various institutions including the University of Michigan, Villanova University, Widener University, and Monmouth University [to learn more about the work of Dr. Mark Levand, please see his website at the following link: https://www.marklevand.com/].

While our first issue of this new year is a standard one, our second issue of will be a special issue. This upcoming special issue will accompany the shared theme of the annual conference of the organization that houses the journal—the College of Sexual and Relationship Therapists (COSRT). The theme for both the conference and the special issue is sexuality and parenting. Be sure to watch for more information on both the annual conference and this special issue!