Jennifer Gunsaullus - From Madness to Mindfulness: Reinventing Sex for Women

from

MADNESS

to

mindfulness

Advance Praise for
From Madness to Mindfulness

Gunsaulluss mindfulness practices and analysis will appeal to any woman interested in practical approaches for maintaining emotional and sexual health, as well as to readers confronting and dealing with shame.

Publishers Weekly

Dr. Jenn Gunsaullus has created an amazingly down-to-earth roadmap of sexual mindfulness that takes you from discovery to practice. I dont know a woman who wouldnt identify with Jenns story or benefit from her process. Even though mindfulness is a constant in my advice to listeners, its still something I need to remind myself about all the time, and I know this book will not only help me, but help others begin their journey on a more sexually mindful path.

Dr. Emily Morse, founder and host of the Sex with Emily Podcast and SiriusXM Radio Show

Educational and empowering. Gunsaulles new book challenges readers to think differently about women and sex, and provides a roadmap to their authentic sexual selves.

Dr. Justin Lehmiller, research fellow at The Kinsey Institute and author of Tell Me What You Want

I was hooked from the first word to the last. This book speaks directly to countless women I have counseled for issues related to sex and intimacy. It is an insightful page-turner that is loaded with practicality and compassion. This book is a game-changer! I truly believe that From Madness to Mindfulness will help many women to make peace with their relationship with their sexual selves.

Neil Cannon, Ph.D., LMFT. sex therapist, couples counselor, professor of Marriage & Family Therapy, Denver Family Institute

Gunsaullus writes with a rare freshness that brings alive her message that women can heal the split between shame and pleasure through a mindfulness approach. She offers everyday solutions to the crisis of unworthiness and sexual discomfort among females today, and shows women how to embrace their pain, feel their vulnerabilities, and soothe their aching souls to become fully empowered sexual humans. This book is a must-read for those who are flailing to find ballast in these confusing times about sex, dating and relationships. Dr. Jenn provides a practical road map for women to navigate ways for thriving in this new sexual world.

Patti Britton, PhD, AASECT past-president, clinical sexologist, co-founder of SexCoachU.com

With deep compassion, Dr. Gunsaulles challenges societal messages that commonly stand in the way of womens sexual fulfillment and provides practical solutions. From Madness to Mindfulness is a loving how-to for anyone seeking greater selfawareness, pleasure, and self-sexual discovery.

August McLaughlin, author of Girl Boner and host of Girl Boner Radio

I am very impressed with Dr. Jens ability to put into such clear words what so many people experience. Her book is thought provoking and a perfect read for anyone just beginning their personal journey of sexual self empowerment. I will be recommending this book to clients and look forward to more work by her.

Dr. Laurie Bennett-Cook, clinical sexologist and director of Sex Positive Los Angeles

This book reminds readers that, yes, self-care, personal growth, and good sex matter and that everyone deserves good sex! Dr. Jenns Reinventing Sex Plan is sure to help anyone looking to reinvent more than just their sexual world.

Dr. Tammy Nelson, certified sex therapist and author of Getting the Sex You Want and The New Monogamy

Honest, fun, and far-reaching, this book challenges us, as women, to think of ourselves and our intimate relationships in a new way with practical guidance at each step of the process. Dr. Jenn does a masterful job of defining the components of mindfulness; weaving meaningful scenarios from her own life story, with pertinent client vignettes and applying her own philosophy and recommendations to all aspects of the female sexual narrative. I find each chapter a vital tool for reflection to enhance ones own awareness, express our truths, and ultimately transform our experience of relationship.

Debra Wickman, MD, FACOG, NCMP, CSC, gynecologist, sexuality counselor, and Founder/CEO of Fantastically Female, LLC

Dr. Jenn Gunsaullus gives us so many gems and brilliant oneliners on nearly every page I found myself slapping my hand on the table while reading, saying YES! THIS! or pausing to take notes. From Madness to Mindfulness is both a wellarticulated philosophy on sexual wellness and an actionable step-by-step guide for women who want to transition to a state of sexual happiness, fulfillment, and authenticity in their lives. Dr. Jenn is a master at disarming difficult topics like toxic masculinity, rape culture, religion, vulnerability, body image, and sexuality, and at utilizing compassion to help you along your sexual journey. I cannot wait to recommend From Madness to Mindfulness to my clients!

Dr. Jill McDevitt, sexuality educator and sexual wellness coach

Being able to tune into yourself and your partner is a key element of great relationships and amazing sex. From Madness to Mindfulness gives you plenty of tools and skills to make it happen, along with down-to-earth tips and ideas for creating the best relationships possible. With lots of the simple and practical ideas and an honest perspective on sex and gender, this book is a must read.

Charlie Glickman PhD, sex & relationship coach

Jennifer Gunsaullus, PhD has written a book guiding the way out of those familiar self-defeating messages about our bodies and our sexuality that, no matter her age, every woman has heard for much of her life. Using mindfulness, meditation, and other carefully illustrated exercises, she shows us the way for a woman to dump internalized negative beliefs, reclaim her power, and enjoy her sexuality without shame.

Isadora Alman, MFT, CST, columnist at Psychology Today, author of What People Keep Asking Me About Sex & Relationships

from

MADNESS

to

mindfulness

Reinventing Sex for Women

Jennifer Gunsaullus, PhD

Copyright 2019 by Jennifer Gunsaullus.

All rights reserved. Except for brief passages quoted in newspaper, magazine, radio, television, or online reviews, no part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying or recording, or by information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

Published in the United States by Cleis Press, an imprint of Start Midnight, LLC, 101 Hudson Street, Thirty-Seventh Floor, Suite 3705, Jersey City, NJ 07302.

Printed in the United States.

Cover design: Allyson Fields

Cover photograph: Pexels

Text design: Frank Wiedemann

First Edition.

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Trade paper ISBN: 978-1-62778-296-8

E-book ISBN: 978-1-62778-509-9

To my parents,

for your unconditional love, support,

and humor.

INTRODUCTION

I was sitting in the dark near the back of one of the fourth-grade classrooms. Some of our moms were there, including mine, along with our teachers. Well, the female fourth-grade teachers. The boys were in another classroom, with the one male teacher. I dont know what they were doing; nobody talked about it. We, however, were watching a cartoon about menstruation, and at the age of ten, this was the first time I was hearing about it.

The movie was biology-based, with nothing overtly graphic. Nonetheless, it was not sitting well with me. What the hell was this thing that was going to happen to me? I started feeling warm and uncomfortable in my chair; I tried to distract myself by listening to the