Treating Sexual Desire Disorders

Sandra R. Leiblum, PhD, was, until her death in January 2010, Professor of Psychiatry and Obstetrics/Gynecology, Director of the Center for Sexual and Relationship Health, and Director of the Psychology Internship Program at the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, in Piscataway, New Jersey. An internationally recognized authority in sex therapy, Dr. Leiblum received numerous awards for her professional contributions, including the Masters and Johnson Award from the Society for Sex Therapy and Research and the Professional Standard of Excellence Award from the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists. She was the author or editor of over 125 journal articles, chapters, and books on various aspects of male and female sexuality, and was widely recognized for her teaching and clinical activities. Her book Principles and Practice of Sex Therapy, Fourth Edition, received the SSTAR Health Professional Book Award from the Society for Sex Therapy and Research.

A remarkably useful and important contribution. The introductory chapter reflects Leiblum's years of insightful work and can stand alone as a comprehensive review of the research and clinical issues that need to be considered in treating desire disorders in men and women. Subsequent chapters from other esteemed experts cover an array of relevant and interesting topics. Taken together, the volume synthesizes the foremost thinking in the field. It offers valuable information and guidance for practicing clinicians as well as graduate students, psychology interns, and psychiatric residents.--John P. Wincze, PhD, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Brown University Leiblum has assembled an impressive array of experts in sexual health to illustrate a wide range of clinical interventions for individuals distressed by low sexual desire. Chapters discuss psychotherapeutic treatments that target predisposing, precipitating, and maintaining psychological factors, along with treatments that address biological facets of sexual desire and intimacy. Detailed clinical examples are provided. All clinicians will benefit from the different theoretical and clinical perspectives described in this book.--Anita H. Clayton, MD, David C. Wilson Professor of Psychiatry, University of Virginia Treating sexual desire problems is rarely easy, but often very rewarding. This outstanding casebook enhances our understanding of both the complexities of these difficulties and the possibilities for meaningful change. Experienced therapists will welcome the perspectives of the many creative contributors to this volume, and students will find it an enlightening, inspiring text for a wide range of courses on human sexuality, sexual dysfunction, and couple therapy.--Alan S. Gurman, PhD, Emeritus Professor of Psychiatry and Director of Family Therapy Training, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health - The rich variety of perspectives represented in this compilation conveys a powerful meta-message about the complex bouquet that is human sexual desire. In a world driven by financial interests determined to reduce all human endeavors to scalable turnkey models, this work stands quietly defiantillustrating through an artful blend of science and storytelling that the wine of human desire remains beautifully, mysteriously irreducible. --Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 4/18/2010ƒƒ Leiblum has brought together an excellent collection of contributions from 19 leading clinicians and therapists....Each chapter is clear and well written, and while the book targets practicing clinicians/therapists and graduate students, even those with only a moderate understanding of sexual disorders and dysfunction will be able to appreciate the useful techniques and advice presented....One of the main strengths of this book is the use of case studies to illustrate the diverse approaches to treating sexual desire concerns....I highly recommend this book for its breadth of treatment approaches, but especially for its case study format. --Canadian Psychology, 4/18/2010ƒƒ A valuable addition to the clinical literature on treatment of sexual dysfunction. --PsycCRITIQUES, 4/18/2010

• 1. Introduction and Overview: Clinical Perspectives on and Treatment for Sexual Desire Disorders, Sandra R. Leiblum 2.The Double Flame: Reconciling Intimacy and Sexuality, Reviving Desire, Esther Perel3. Using Crucible Therapy to Treat Sexual Desire Disorders, David Schnarch4.The Canary in the Coal Mine: Reviving Sexual Desire in Long-Term Relationships, Kathryn Hall 5. Confronting Male Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder: Secrets, Variant Arousal, and Good-Enough Sex, Barry McCarthy and Alisa Breetz 6. “Desire Disorders†or Opportunities for Optimal Erotic Intimacy?, Peggy J. Kleinplatz7. A Skeptical View of Desire Norms and Disorders Promotes Clinical Success, Leonore Tiefer and Marny Hall8. Complaints of Low Sexual Desire: How Therapeutic Assessment Guides Further Interventions, Rosemary Basson9. Cognitive-Behavioral and Mindfulness-Based Therapy for Low Sexual Desire, Lori A. Brotto and Jane S.T. Woo10. Dancing to Their Own Music, David C. Treadway11. Treatment of Low Sexual Desire in the Context of Comorbid Individual and Relationship Dysfunction, Douglas K. Snyder 12. The Role of Androgens in the Treatment of Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder in Women, Joanna B. Korda, Sue W. Goldstein, and Irwin Goldstein 13.Sexual Psychopharmacology and the Treatment of Desire Deregulation, Bonnie R. Saks14.The Desire to Feel Whole Again: The Quest for Sexual Desire after Breast Cancer, Michael Krychman and Susan Kellogg Spadt