Chelsea Wakefield - In Search of Aphrodite

Chelsea Wakefield is the most luminous new voice in sex therapy. Follow the guidance in this bookyour clients will think youre a genius!

Gina Ogden, author of Expanding the Practice of
Sex Therapy and The Heart and Soul of Sex

At last, a book about sexuality that is not like all that useless information from the internet and from self-help books that tells you what to do to look sexy. This book tells you how to be a sexual being.

Ginette Paris, author of Pagan Meditations:
The world of Aphrodite, Artemis and Hestia

This book is unique in taking a comprehensive and complex view of female sexuality, emphasizing a challenging, positive view of the role of sex therapy. It would be of particular value for psychodynamic clinicians.

Barry McCarthy, co-author (with Emily McCarthy) of
Rekindling Desire and Sexual Awareness: Your Guide to
Healthy Couple Sexuality

This book is an homage to the personal and collective archetypes that comprise each womans inner cast of characters. Wakefield deftly weaves body psychotherapy and archetypal psychology into an experiential model that transforms ordinary sex therapy into soul work. Embodied stories and parts work bring Aphrodite to life in case examples of women ravaged by heartbreak, sheltered by Eros-inhibiting gate keepers and stunted by one-dimensional sexual scripts. Wakefield writes in a soothing, female-centered voice that celebrates sensuality and desire. Every woman will see herself and feel affirmed in this beautiful guide to becoming a sexually empowered woman.

Maci Daye, creator of The Passion and
Presence Couples Retreat

Engaging, illuminating and empowering! Wakefield will energize therapists to go beyond treating sexual dysfunctions in favour of helping each client to awaken the archetypal woman within!

Peggy J. Kleinplatz, author of New Directions in
Sex Therapy: Innovations and Alternatives

This book isnt just a gemits a whole treasure chest of jewels and golden wisdomof incalculable value not just to heterosexual women, but to sexual human beings of all genders. The archetypes of the collective unconscious are always evading capture, but here in this book, Dr. Wakefield has persuaded a star-studded group of them to show themselves, and engage in intelligent conversation with her, with each other, and with her readers.

Jeremy Taylor, author of The Wisdom of Your Dreams
and The Living Labyrinth

What a fascinating, enriching, life-affirming book! In Search of Aphrodite helps women of all ages to discoveror rediscoverthe joys, richness, and complexities of their own individual sexuality and sensuality, of their own erotic identity, as it is expressed in their lives and their intimate relationships. Dr. Wakefield combines scholarly research with a broad range of clinical experience and anecdotal material, to bring us a picture of the road forward into sexual individuation.

Sidra L. Stone, author of The Shadow King:
The Invisible Force that Holds Women Back

What does it mean to be in search of Aphrodite? For most women, sex is complex, and more than a juxtaposition of body parts. Women sense the possibility of depth, meaning, even transcendence, but in a somatically disconnected, sexually superficial world, it can be difficult for a woman to discover her inner fire, define who she is sexually, and confidently communicate this to her partner.

Part philosophy, part treatment manual, In Search of Aphrodite addresses womens sexual problems from an inspiring, creative perspective, integrating Jungian psychology and sex therapy. Readers will deepen their understanding of the sexual psyche and how this realm has an impact on womens lives, as well as what the author calls the journey of Sexual Individuation.

Chelsea Wakefield covers a variety of topics such as healing ancient wounds, resolving inner conflicts, exploring sexual essence, identity, scripts, primal instinct, desire, fantasy, longing, and more. She offers pathways to sexual enrichment and improved communication with a partner. Sexual archetypes are introduced and organized around the authors Sexual Essence Wheel. Gatekeepers and Eros-inhibiting archetypes are described, along with what to do when treatment stalls.

This book is appropriate for:

• Clinicians who are nervous about venturing into conversations about womens sexuality
• Clinicians who are comfortable with sexual topics and are curious about new interventions
• Sex therapists who want a treatment model that acknowledges the multidimensional aspects of sexuality
• Jungian analysts and Jungian-oriented practitioners who want helpful tools for addressing sexual issues as an invitation into individuation
• Pastoral counselors and spiritual guidance practitioners who seek to heal souls wounded by sexual trauma and sex-negative teachings
• Women who want to explore their sexual psyche and define their sexual essence, and men who wish to better understand the sexual depths of women

Rich with case histories and an Inner Cast of Characters that clients can explore, this resource will help women discover joyful embodiment, innate eroticism, and sexual pleasure!

Chelsea Wakefield, PhD, LCSW is an international teacher and presenter on sexuality and the journey of individuation. She is a Jungian-oriented psychotherapist, couples therapist, AASECT-certified sex therapist, educator, creator of the Luminous Woman Weekend, and author of Negotiating the Inner Peace Treaty: Becoming the Person You Were Born to Be. Chelsea draws from a depth of clinical training and experience in archetypal, transpersonal, psychodynamic, parts psychology, developmental, and somatic methods of working. She facilitates people in moving beyond the wounds of the past, learning more about their unique sexual essence, embracing sexuality as a pathway of growth and individuation, learning how to communicate effectively with partners, and deepening sexual connection, meaning, and pleasure. You can learn more about her work at www.chelseawakefield.com.

Chelsea Wakefield

First published 2016

by Routledge

711 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017

and by Routledge

2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4RN

Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business

2016 Taylor & Francis

The right of Chelsea Wakefield to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by her in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

Trademark notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks or registered trademarks, and are used only for identification and explanation without intent to infringe.

Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data

Wakefield, Chelsea, author.
In search of Aphrodite : women, archetypes and sex therapy / by Chelsea Wakefield.
pages cm
Includes bibliographical references and index.
1.Sex therapy.2.Psychosexual disorders.3.WomenSexual behavior.4.Archetype (Psychology)I.Title.
RC557.W35 2015
616.85'83dc23
2015029563

ISBN: 978-1-138-81926-9 (hbk)

ISBN: 978-1-138-81927-6 (pbk)

ISBN: 978-1-315-74468-1 (ebk)

Typeset in ITC Legacy Serif

by Apex CoVantage, LLC

O FRIEND, UNDERSTAND.

THE BODY IS LIKE THE OCEAN, RICH WITH HIDDEN TREASURES.

OPEN YOUR INNERMOST CHAMBER

AND LIGHT ITS LAMP,