THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EROTICISM, GENDER, AND INTERPERSONAL BONDING: A CLINICAL ILLUSTRATION OF SEXUAL HOLONIC MAPPING

Abstract

In this article, we describe a systemic model of human sexuality as comprised of four holons or subsystems corresponding to eroticism, gender, interpersonal bonding, and reproduction. We further apply this model to an actual case of couples therapy, mapping conflicts and difficulties among the various holons for both members of the couple. Augmenting this mapping function with illustrative questions for prompting the client's own exploration of sexual meanings extends its use from assessment to intervention, in a way that is compatible with constructivist, narrative, and social constructionist understandings of human functioning.