Expressive Therapies for Sexual Issues

????This text is intended to help social work practitioners move beyond both these often-accepted constructions of sexuality and the range of methods that are available to social workers in their clinical practice. Various themes are apparent throughout each of the chapters in thisvolume: the range of sexual experience and expression that exists acrossindividuals; a recognition of our society’s responses to expressions ofsexuality, including the social, attitudinal, and cultural barriers thatinhibit the expression of healthy sexuality and that constrain our approaches to assisting individuals with their recovery from trauma; the need to consistently and painstakingly examine our own assumptions relating to sexuality in order to be more effective with our clients; and the delicate balance that is often required when working with clients around issues of sexuality in the context of institutions, community, and societal structures.?

Sana Loue, J.D., Ph.D., M.P.H., M.S.S.A. is a professor at Case Western Reserve University. She holds a primary appointment in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics in the School of Medicine and secondary appointments in the Departments of Bioethics, Global Health, and Psychiatry, as well as in the Mandel School of Applied Social Services, the university’s school of social worker. Her empirical research focuses on HIV risk and prevention in minority communities, family violence, and mental illness, while her more theoretical research includes forensic epidemiology and research ethics. As a licensed social worker, she offers counseling services through a local AIDS organization to minority young adults with issues ranging from partner violence, childhood sexual abuse and trauma, gender and sexual orientation questioning, self-injurious behaviors, and severe mental illness.