Sin or Salvation: Implications for Psychotherapy

by Amy Mahoney (Editor), Oliva M. Espin (Editor)

Overview

When in therapy, women inevitably present both sexual and spiritual issues of importance. However, there has yet to be brought forth an integrating approach to women’s sexuality and spirituality. The book fills this gap, integrating these two diverse yet connected aspects of therapy. This innovative exploration of women’s experiences of their sexuality and spirituality is presented from a feminist psychological perspective, clearly illustrating the dichotomy that exists in Western culture and offering a unique approach for convergence. This book provides therapists with positive and self-affirming viewpoints and practical strategies to help harmonize sexual and spiritual issues in women clients.

The book uses a synergistic perspective to facilitate healing for women’s psycho/sexual/spiritual growth and development. Therapists are provided with invaluable tools for personal understanding and clinical practice when considering sexuality and spirituality and how they interact in a client’s life.

This book is crucial reading for psychotherapists, counselors, social workers, educators, pastoral counselors, and anyone interested in learning more about the intersections between sexuality and spirituality.

This book was published as a special issue of Women & Therapy: A Feminist Quarterly.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780789034328
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	12/09/2009
Pages:	150
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.19(h) x (d)

About the Author

Amy Mahoney is a mental health consultant and has worked with homeless, mentally ill women for the past 22 years. She is an active member of several professional organizations including the American Psychological Association (APA), the Association of Women in Psychology (AWP) and the American Association of Service Coordinators (AASC).

Oliva M. Espin is Professor Emerita of Women's Studies at San Diego State University and of Psychology at the California School of Professional Pstchology at Alliant International University.She was a pioneer in the theory and practice of feminist therapy with women from different cultural backgrounds.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction Amy Mahoney and Oliva M. Espín 2. Our Inner Black Madonna: Reclaiming Sexuality, Embodying Sacredness Lillian Comas-Díaz 3. Latina Health Activist-Healers Bridging Body and Spirit Irene Lara 4. Five Therapists’ Personal and Professional Reflections and Integration Sally D. Stabb, Debra Mollen, Carmen Cruz, Kelly Simonson, Avni Vyas and Karin H. Bruckner 5. Bridging the Divide: Integrating Lesbian Identity and Orthodox Judaism Judith M. Glassgold 6. What’s Faith Got to Do with It? The Role of Spirituality and Religion in Lesbian and Bisexual Women’s Sexual Satisfaction Brandy L. Smith and Sharon G. Horne 7. Is It Possible for Christian Women to Be Sexual? Amy Mahoney 8. It’s Not Just a Headache, Dear: Why Some Women Say No to Connecting Sex and Spirit Gina Ogden 9. Traditional Religious Doctrine and Women’s Sexuality: Reconciling the Contradictions Judith C. Daniluk and Nicolle Browne

What People are Saying About This

Esther Rothblum

PROVIDES VAST INSIGHT INTO WOMEN'S RELATIONSHIP WITH THE SPIRITUAL. Given the patriarchal focus of most 'mainstream' religions, it is not surprising that women have been invisible as spiritual beings, and women's sexuality has been vilified. . . . A CREATIVE FUSION OF SPIRITUALITY WITH SEXUALITY, which has rarely been the focus of the mental health professions. . . . A wonderful collection of essays about contemporary women's spirituality across a diversity of sexualities, cultures, and religious traditions. (Esther Rothblum, PhD, Professor of Women's Studies, San Diego State University)