Mark A. Yarhouse - Sexuality and Sex Therapy: A Comprehensive Christian Appraisal

M any people in our field have shared that there is a need for a resource for Christians engaged in the study of sexuality and the clinical practice of therapy/counseling/ministry. We do see a number of quality texts on the integration of Christianity and sexuality, broadly understood, and we do see an emerging number of practical resources for Christians who conduct sex therapy. However, what we did not see was more of an integration textbook that provides students with a primer in this important area. We both felt a desire to take on what became quite a challenging undertaking. You will see upon reading the book that rather than creating a radically new model of sex therapy or the final word on integration in this area, we draw attention to what theorists have gotten right and how their insights can be understood and acknowledged, while relying more on a Christian view of the person and of sexuality and sexual expression.

We do this through a couple of steps. First, we explore theological perspectives on sexuality from Christian tradition and Scripture. Although we might be tempted to treat the Bible as a handbook for sex therapy or sexual functioning, we see Scripture as providing moral clarity in many areas, while also providing several principles that inform moral decision making. We learned that the Scriptures are not a sex therapy sourcebook. Rather, we can find in the Bible broad principles that contribute to our understanding of sexuality, sexual intimacy and sex therapy. The next step was to look at some of the most influential models of professional services in the areas of the sexual dysfunctions as well as other clinical presentations, such as sexual and gender identity, sexual addiction, and the paraphilia. We then wanted to look at the practical outworking of that engagement in key areas that affect people today.

The book is intended for a broad audience. We would like to see it as a helpful resource for students and clinicians in the mental health fields (e.g., psychology, counseling, social work, marriage and family therapy and so on), pastoral care staff and local pastors, and youth ministry leaders.

The book is divided into four parts. In part one (chapters one through four), we set the stage for the discussion of sexuality by considering four perspectives: theological, sociocultural, biological and clinical. Chapter one is a discussion of a theological perspective insofar as we consider a distinctively Christian perspective on sexuality and sexual behavior. Chapter two is a discussion of sociocultural perspective on how sexuality is understood in our culture today. Chapter three considers a biological perspective, so that students are familiar with anatomy and sexual functioning. Chapter four introduces a clinical perspective, as we transition the reader into some of the applied dimensions that will be the focus of the next two parts of the book.

Part two of the book (chapters five through nine) devotes one chapter apiece to the various sexual disorders often addressed in traditional sex therapy (e.g., sexual pain disorders, erectile disorder). We explain the disorders in questiontheir prevalence, etiology, treatment and prevention. Then we focus on closing Christian reflection on the trends in that area of study and practice.

Part three (chapters ten through thirteen) extends the discussion by taking topics that are commonly addressed in the field and inviting Christians to interact with the relevant materials. We introduce the reader to the paraphilias, sexual addiction, sexual identity and gender identity and then review the literature in each area, followed by Christian engagement in light of what we know at this time.

Part four (chapter fourteen) reflects our desire to cast a vision for integrative Christian sex therapy/counseling/ministry. In particular, we discuss recent developments in training and competence in these different areas. Societal and cultural changes will have an impact on our work and the ways in which we think about and engage the topics covered in this book in ministry and service.

We have been blessed by stimulating conversations with a number of peopleprobably far too many to acknowledge. Mark would like to thank those who taught him about sex therapy, particularly Stanton Jones and the team from the Institute for Sexual Wholeness: Douglass Rosenau, Michael Sytsma and Debra Taylor. He would also like to thank Cliff and Joyce Penner, James and Cathryn Childerston, and the many students he has had over the years in Human Sexuality at Regent University, Sexuality & Sex Therapy at Wheaton College, and Basic Issues in Sex Therapy at the Institute for Sexual Wholeness. Mark would also like to thank the students and affiliates in the Institute for the Study of Sexual Identity at Regent University, many of whom located countless articles, read chapters and provided him with helpful feedback. These included Charity Lane, Rebecca Thomas, Holly Doolin, Heidi Jo Erickson, Emma Bucher, Melissa Campbell, Ashley Novak and Rob Kay. We received helpful informal reviews from several colleagues who provided us with invaluable feedback on early drafts: Doug Rosenau, Michael Sytsma, Debra Taylor, Stanton Jones, Marnie Ferree, Tom Bowman and Carey Lampton.

Erica would like to thank Mark for the opportunity and encouragement to join him in the process of assembling this resource, as well as Doug, Mike and Deb from the Sexual Wholeness Institute, who provided feedback. Although she hasnt had many opportunities to interface with the new students on Marks ISSI team, she would like to thank those who spent hours gathering articles and finding other resources. In addition, Erica would like to thank friends and family members who encouraged her to just put down one word at a time.