Sex and love in intimate relationships

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Title:

Author:

Firestone, Robert.

ISBN:

9781591472865

Personal Author:

Firestone, Robert.

Edition:

1st ed.

Publication Information:

Washington, DC : American Psychological Association, c2006.

Physical Description:

vii, 338 p. ; 27 cm.

Contents:

Ch. 1. What is healthy sexuality? -- Ch. 2. What is love? -- Ch. 3. Factors that affect an individual's sexuality -- Ch. 4. Men, women, and sexual stereotypes -- Ch. 5. Approaches to the etiology of sexual dysfunctions and problems in sexual relating -- Ch. 6. The role of the fantasy bond, the voice process, and death anxiety in sexual relationships -- Ch. 7. Sexual withholding -- Ch. 8. Couple relationships : jealousy and sexual rivals -- Ch. 9. Voice therapy applied to problems in sexual relating -- Ch. 10. Suggestions for enhancing sexual intimacy.

Abstract:

"In Sex and Love in Intimate Relationships, the authors explore the dimensions of sexuality and love. Drawing on their 40 years of combined clinical experience and a unique longitudinal study of couples and families, they propose that sexual problems are largely related to defenses acquired through painful childhood experiences. They describe the effects of the core defense, that is, the fantasy bond, which is an illusion of connection to the mother or primary caregiver. The fantasy bond is later transferred to a romantic partner and predisposes alienation in the relationship. The authors explain how secondary defences in the form of critical internal "voices" support negative views of the self and others, interfering with closeness and intimacy."

"In clear language and conceptualization and through the liberal use of case material from therapy sessions, the authors show how individuals can be helped to overcome these challenges and become physically and emotionally closer to their partners."--BOOK JACKET.

Subject Term:

Sex.

Love.

Intimacy (Psychology)

Added Author:

Firestone, Lisa A.

Catlett, Joyce.

Electronic Access:

Table of contents http://www.loc.gov/catdir/toc/ecip058/2005003228.html

Copies:

Available:*

Library	Material Type	Item Barcode	Shelf Number	Copy	Status
Searching... 1:IIEMSA	1:GEN-BOOK	33168020386799	306.7 F523S 2006	1	Searching... Unknown

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Summary

Sexuality can be one of the most fulfilling pleasures in life. Yet it is an aspect of relationships that is complex and sometimes fraught with difficulty. Given the mixed messages about sexuality that exist in our culture, it is hardly surprising that men and women find intimate relationships hard to discuss and negotiate. Furthermore, therapy for sexual dysfunction has tended to emphasize physiological and technical issues over the psychological ones that the authors believe are at the root of many couples' problems. In ""Sex and Love in Intimate Relationships"", Firestone and his coauthors help therapists help their clients. Drawing on their forty years of combined clinical experience and a unique longitudinal study of couples and families, they propose that sexual problems are largely related to defenses acquired through painful childhood experiences. The self-sabotaging effects of this ""fantasy bond"" - an illusion of connection to the mother or primary caregiver - give rise to critical internal ""voices."" These voices support negative views of the self and others, interfering with closeness and intimacy. In accessible language and through the liberal use of case material from therapy sessions, the authors show how clients can be helped to overcome these challenges and become physically and emotionally closer to their partners. ""Sex and Love in Intimate Relationships"" is thought-provoking reading for anyone interested in what sustains a loving and fulfilling sexual relationship.