Sex Therapy with Erotically Marginalized Clients: Nine Principles of Clinical Support

279 Pages·2019·2.996 MB·English

by  Damon M Constantinides, Shannon L Sennott, Davis Chandler

SEX THERAPY WITH EROTICALLY
MARGINALIZED CLIENTS
Sex Therapy with Erotically Marginalized Clients: Nine Principles of Clinical Support
provides a clinical guide to relational sex therapy with individuals, partnerships, poly-
ships, and alternative family structures where one or more of the clients are erotically
marginalized. This term refers to people who are at risk of being pathologized and
oppressed both outside and inside the clinical setting due to their gender identities,
sexual orientations, or sexual practices.
The book outlines nine principles for therapeutic practice which meet the needs of
erotically marginalized clients, whose forms of sexuality and desire are rarely spoken
about and for whom there is a dearth of language in therapeutic contexts. Each prin-
ciple concludes with a series of “key points” and then followed by illustrative clinical
case studies, contributed by sex therapists and clinicians who self-identify as erotically
marginalized and who also work with erotically marginalized clients. The book also
provides a full glossary, “Defining Erotically Marginalized Identities.”
The authors and case contributors use a radical and affirming lens to examine eroti-
cally marginalized identities that are often neglected. The book bridges gaps between
the past, present, and future in the field of sex therapy and greatly expands the diversity
of experiences and identities within the field, particularly the experience of multiple
oppressions.
The book marks a valuable contribution not only to sex therapists but to the wider
clinical and therapeutic community.
Damon M. Constantinides, PhD, LCSW, is an individual, relationship, and sex thera-
pist in Philadelphia, PA. He is also adjunct faculty in the Human Sexuality Program at
Widener University.
Shannon L. Sennott, LICSW, is the co-founder of Translate Gender, Inc. and The
Center for Psychotherapy and Social Justice in Northampton, MA, as well as, adjunct
Faculty at the Smith School for Social Work.
Davis Chandler, LICSW, is an individual, family, relationship, and group therapist in
Western MA. They utilize a social justice framework focusing on gender diversity and
erotically marginalized clients.
“This is a game-changing book for sex therapists and other practitioners
working across gender, sex, and relationship diversity. It provides a clear
framework for working affirmatively with erotically marginalized clients, illus-
trated by a powerful range of case contributions which highlight the impact
of intersecting oppressions and the diversity of client experiences. Principles
are helpfully divided into sections focusing on foundations, practice, and sys-
tems, which help the reader to explore how they might work ethically and with
integrity, for example by naming systemic oppressions, by challenging binary
thinking, by emphasizing clients’ own narratives, and by practising active ally-
ship within wider communities. An essential addition to any practitioner’s
reading list. Highly recommended.”
Meg-John Barker, PhD, author of Queer: A Graphic History,
Life Isn’t Binary, Mindfulness in Sex and Relationship Therapy
and the British Association for Counseling and Psychotherapy
resource on gender, sexual, and relationship diversity.
“This is a clinically sophisticated yet highly accessible text. This book explores,
in an engaging and in-depth manner, the experiences of and therapeutic
principles for working with erotically marginalized clients. A unique and
indispensable component of the text is the use of powerful and detailed clini-
cal vignettes, which not only describe clients but also illuminate the therapists’
own process. Practical advice is provided throughout the book—yet this advice
is far from a set of simplified steps of ‘what to do.’ Rather, the authors engage
the reader in the gritty realness of working as real people with real clients, and
their advice is informed by and reflects that realness, in all its messy and com-
plex glory. The contributors are diverse in their intersectional identities and
personal and professional experiences, and the style and content of the chap-
ters mirror that diversity. The result is an eclectic collection of perspectives and
content, whereby a reader does not necessarily have to read the entire book in
order or in its entirety to effectively use and benefit from it. Careful explanation
of key terms, and the inclusion of user-friendly clinical resources and forms, are
also key features of the book. In sum, this is a rich and interesting resource that
clinicians and other professionals will surely find of great interest.”
Abbie Goldberg, PhD, professor of psychology and Director,
Women’s and Gender Studies Program, Clark University
“As a psychotherapist and trainer, I am beyond excited that this book is now a
resource for our communities. The information is clear, thoughtfully laid out,
and fills a much-needed gap in the field. Case examples beautifully demonstrate
the nine principles that clinicians can use to better serve erotically marginal-
ized clients, and this is done very skilfully and grounded in an intersectional,
social justice framework. I recommend it to anyone who works with clients
on topics related to gender and sexuality. Well done!”
Sand Chang, PhD, licenced psychologist and
author of A Clinician’s Guide to Gender-Affirming Care
SEX THERAPY
WITH EROTICALLY
MARGINALIZED CLIENTS
Nine Principles of Clinical Support
Damon M. Constantinides,
Shannon L. Sennott, and
Davis Chandler
First published 2019
by Routledge
2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4RN
and by Routledge
52 Vanderbilt Avenue, New York, NY 10017
Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business
© 2019 Damon M. Constantinides, Shannon L. Sennott and Davis Chandler
The right of Damon M. Constantinides, Shannon L. Sennott and Davis
Chandler to be identified as the author has been asserted in accordance
with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or
utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now
known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in
any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing
from the publishers.
Trademark notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks or
registered trademarks, and are used only for identification and explanation
without intent to infringe.
British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Constantinides, Damon M., author. | Sennott, Shannon L., author. |
Chandler, Davis, author.
Title: Sex therapy with erotically marginalized clients / Damon M.
Constantinides, Shannon L. Sennott and Davis Chandler.
Description: Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon ; New York, NY : Routledge,
2019. | Includes index.
Identifiers: LCCN 2018054127 (print) | LCCN 2018055131 (ebook) | ISBN
9781315616780 (Master eBook) | ISBN 9781138671805 (hardback) |
ISBN 9781138671812 (pbk.) | ISBN 9781315616780 (ebk)
Subjects: LCSH: Sex addiction—Treatment.
Classification: LCC RC560.S43 (ebook) | LCC RC560.S43 C66 2019 (print)
| DDC 616.85/833—dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2018054127
ISBN: 978-1-138-67180-5 (hbk)
ISBN: 978-1-138-67181-2 (pbk)
ISBN: 978-1-315-61678-0 (ebk)
Typeset in Minion
by Swales & Willis Ltd, Exeter, Devon, UK
CONTENTS
List of Figures and Tables vii
Author Biographies viii
Contributor Biographies x
Preface xiv
Acknowledgments xvi
Introduction 1
PART I
Foundations 11
1 Principle One: Maintain Transparency and Name
Systemic and Individual Oppressions 13
The Case of Wanda: Individual Therapy with a Queer Cisgender
Femme of South Asian Descent by Lourdes Dolores Follins 27
The Case of Layla and Michelle: Most Welcome, Bondage, For Thou
Art a Way, I Think, to Liberty by Laura Jacobs 35
2 Principle Two: Challenge Binary Thinking
and its Constrictions 40
The Case of William: Heteronormatively Queer and Kinky,
an Integration Story by Amy Basford-Pequet 55
3 Principle Three: Support Willingness to Experience
the Anxiety of Uncertainty 63
The Case of Derick: A Framework for Integration by Thomas Wood 69
The Case of Niam: Race, Class, Sexuality, and Gender While Being and
Becoming by Jaycelle Basford-Pequet 75
vi Contents
PART II
Practice 83
4 Principle Four: Practice a Relational and Dialogic
Approach to Sex Therapy 85
The Case of P: Internalized Heterosexism and the Submissive
Heterosexual Cisgender Male by Dulcinea Alex Pitagora 105
5 Principle Five: Emphasize Clients’ Own Words,
Knowledge, and Narratives 116
The Case of V by Anastasia Fujii 131
6 Principle Six: Locate Oneself and Respond to Clients’
Meta-Communication 138
The Case of Queeran: When Shared Intersectionality Supports
Black, Fat, and Queer Healing by Lexx Brown-James 154
The Case of Beth by AndreAs Neumann Mascis 159
PART III
Systemic 167
7 Principle Seven: Support Participation of Family and
Communities 169
The Case of Chloe: Identity Exploration Using a Black Feminist/
Systemic Approach for Working with Erotically Marginalized Clients
by Erika Evans-Weaver 179
8 Principle Eight: Practice Active Allyship 189
The Case of B, W, & G: Multiplicity in Positionalities of Therapy with a
Poly Triad by Rachel Keller 198
The Case of Benny: Misogyny and the Dissociated Female Selves
by Eve Bogdanove 202
9 Principle Nine: Build a Community of Colleagues 213
Glossary: “Defining Erotically Marginalized Identities” by Ellie K. Lipton 221
Appendices A–D: “Referral Letter,” “Self-Determined Gender Psychosocial
Form,” “The Allyship Practice Model for the Transfeminist Therapeutic
Approach,” “Professional Ethics Statement” 239
Index 253
FIGURES AND TABLES
Figures
2.1 Common Binaries in the Field of Sex Therapy 41
2.2 Non-Binary Gender Identity Sexual Intimacy Model 45
2.3 Circle of Sexual Pleasure 51
Tables
1.1 Example of Microaggressions Directed Towards Erotically
Marginalized Clients 19
2.1 NBGI Sexual Intimacy Model Themes 46
AUTHOR BIOGRAPHIES
Damon M. Constantinides, PhD, LCSW, provides individual, relationship,
and sex therapy in Philadelphia, PA. He is a trans and queer identified thera-
pist who has the privilege to work with trans and queer adults and teens. He
works towards a world that makes space for people of all genders, identities,
and bodies to heal and find joy both in their lives, including their sexual selves.
Dr. Constantinides is a trainer and supervisor for the Advanced Program in
Transgender Mental Health at Widener University where he is also adjunct
faculty in the Human Sexuality Program. Damon provides consultation
and supervision through his private practice (www.drdamonc.com) and at
Relationship and Sex Therapy Collective and is especially interested in sup-
porting queer and trans therapists, social workers, and clinicians.
Shannon L. Sennott, LICSW, CST, is the co-founder of Translate Gender, Inc.
and the Center for Psychotherapy and Social Justice, she was clinically trained
at the Smith School for Social Work and the Eastern Group Psychotherapy
Society in New York City, and is an AASECT certified sex therapist. Shannon is
a faculty member at the Smith School for Social Work, teaching family theory
and sex theory, as well as maintaining a full time private practice at the Center
for Psychotherapy and Social Justice in Northampton, Massachusetts. Shannon
utilizes a transfeminist therapeutic approach in her work with individuals,
adolescents, and families, her interests extend to working with couples, con-
sensually non-monogamous and polyamorous relationships, and groups, and
she especially enjoys working with those in alternative family structures. Her
clinical orientation is influenced by both narrative therapy and dialogic practice
traditions. Shannon’s published paper in Women and Therapy Journal, intro-
duces her transfeminist therapeutic approach, ‘Gender Disorder as Gender
Oppression: A Transfeminist Approach to Rethinking the Pathologization of
Author Biographies ix
Gender Non-Conformity’. More recently, Shannon delivered the keynote for
the Ackerman Institute for the Family annual conference in 2018 and she is
enjoying clinically supervising and training other clinicians, institutions, and
organizations in their work with erotically marginalized people.
Davis Chandler, LICSW graduated from the Smith College School for Social
Work. They live in Western Massachusetts and are the co-director of Translate
Gender, Inc. where they currently co-lead therapy groups for trans and gender
nonconforming young people, families and couples, as well as offer education,
training and advocacy work related to gender, sexual orientation, sexual prac-
tices, power, oppression and privilege. They also maintain a private practice
with the Center for Psychotherapy and Social Justice working with individuals,
relationships and families. Additionally, they work at a small nonprofit serving
adults experiencing extreme states of mind and/or major life disruptions. Prior
they worked as a family therapist with children and their families in a commu-
nity mental health setting. Davis self-identifies as queer and nonbinary/trans.