Are sex therapy and God, strange bedfellows? Case studies illuminating the intersection of client sexuality with spirituality, religion, faith or belief practices

Abstract

Clients seeking sex therapy can bring into the clinical space a vibrant religious, spiritual and/or faith practice. Even those clients who do not consider themselves religious, often come to sex therapy with a prior relationship to a religion or with a higher power. While this relationship can be a source of strength, it may include a history of trauma, pain, and grief. This intersection of sexuality and faith can be a powerful clinical space; however, it is not without its challenges, specifically when shame, guilt and remorse are associated with the client’s sexual experiences. Mental health professionals skilled in sex therapy are ideally positioned to support these clients; however, they are rarely trained in incorporating client religious issues. This paper seeks to expand professional discourse on supporting clients at the intersection of sexual and faith well-being. First, we discuss why mental health clinicians focused on sex therapy need to incorporate a faith informed practice lens. Next, three case studies are presented to highlight the intersection of psychosexualtherapy and a client’s faith. The discussion section subsequently highlights preparation needed by mental health professionals and offers suggestions for better professional training in this specialty area. Finally, faith informed clinical interventions are presented.

Lay summary

People seeking a sex therapist bring their spirituality, religion, faith, or belief practices to therapy. Clinicians must acknowledge this aspect of a client’s life and recognize that it can play a key role in their healing. Sex therapists rarely receive training in faith issues. This paper attempts to bridge that gap.

Keywords:

• Qualitative research
• sex therapy
• faith -informed practice
• clinician training
• intimate/sexual relationships

Acknowledgments

We are grateful for Dr. Landi Turner’s review, edits, and thoughtful feedback.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

George W. Turner

George Turner is a Senior Lecturer in social work in the School of Social Sciences at Western Sydney University, where he teaches Practice Skills, Social Work & Health, and Disability and Sexuality. As a an academic-practitioner, George’s research interests are focused on reducing health disparities by advancing sexual health equity. Prior to moving to Australia, George was a certified sex therapist in private practice for over fifteen years in the US. George’s recent publications include: The circles of sexuality: Promoting a strengths-based model within social work that provides a holistic framework for client sexual well-being, (2020) in M. Mohr-Carney, & A. Mendenhall, (Eds.), Rooted in Strengths: Celebrating the strengths perspective in social work as well as two chapters in The Routledge International Handbook of Social Work and Sexualities (S.J. Dodd (Ed.), 2021). These chapters include: Sex therapy: Advanced training specialty practice area for social workers and A vision of justice: Seeing the Sex-ABILITY of people with intellectual disabilities.

George W. Turner Jr. PhD, MEd, MSW l Senior Lecturer Pronouns: he/him/his Social Work and Community Welfare School of Social Sciences, Western Sydney University, Parramatta LMB 1797. Penrith NSW 2751. Australia. Office Parramatta Campust l Room: EJD.G.56 Founding Member | Rainbow Western Core Member | Translational Health Research Institute | Western Sydney University Member | Sexualities and Genders Research | Western Sydney University Staff Profile: https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/staff_profiles/uws_profiles/doctor_george_turner Orcid ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2314-1239 Follow me on Twitter: @DrGeorgeWTurner Recent Publications:

Turner, G. W. (2021). Sex therapy: Advanced training specialty practice area for social workers (chapter 26). In S.J. Dodd (Ed.), The Routledge International Handbook of Social Work and Sexualities. New York, NY: Taylor & Francis. Turner, G. W. (2021). A vision of justice: Seeing the Sex-ABILITY of people with intellectual disabilities (chapter 20). In S.J. Dodd (Ed.), The Routledge International Handbook of Social Work and Sexualities. New York, NY: Taylor & Francis

Turner, G. W. and Pelts, M. (2021). Sexual well-being informed social work practice: Harnessing the power of reflection and a hallmark experiential sexuality education activity, British Journal of Social Work. I acknowledge the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the land I work on as the first people of this country and respect the elders past and present

William R. Stayton

William R. Stayton, MDiv, ThD, PhD Retired Professor and Director Human Sexuality Studies Widener University, One University Place, Chester, PA 19013 and Retired Professor Morehouse School of Medicine 720 Westview Dr., Atlanta, GA 30310 Email: [email protected]

William R. Stayton, Mdiv, Thd, Phd Bill is an ordained minister in the American Baptist Churches of the U.S.A. He is also a licensed psychologist and AASECT certified sexuality educator and therapist. He is a retired Professor at both Widener University Center for Human Sexuality Studies in Chester, PA and the Department of Community Health and Preventive Medicine at Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta, GA. Bill’s recent publication includes, Sinless Sex: A Challenge to Religions (p. 146). Luminare Press. Kindle Edition.