1st Edition
Whole-Body Sex Somatic Sex Therapy and the Lost Language of the Erotic Body
Winner of the 2023 AASECT Book Award for General Audience!
Weaving together somatic psychotherapy, dance/movement therapy, and sex therapy approaches, this uniquely interdisciplinary and practical book offers guidance on how to strengthen your connection with pleasure, receptivity, and ecstasy in an embodied way.
Melissa Walker contextualizes the erotic body as being embedded in a sex-negative culture. Taking an experiential somatic approach, this book helps readers map the erotic self to establish a whole-body sexuality, becoming an important sexuality ally in a larger social movement toward erotic inclusiveness. This groundbreaking text illuminates how to shed the harmful messages that an individual has internalized about their sexuality, to learn the language of their somatic self, and begin to build a whole-body appreciation for their creative potential.
Filled with questions, guided experientials, and map-building practices that help readers learn more about themselves, this book is essential reading for sex therapists to navigate the vast map of sexuality to create true health and sexual evolution.
Introduction
1. Reclaiming the Home of your Sexuality
2. The Dance of Shadow and Light
3. A Bridge to the Lost Language of Sexuality
4. Erotic Bodyfulness
5. The Whole Sexual Self
6. The Embedded Sexual Self
7. Erotic on the Outside: Expressing a Whole-Body Sexuality
8. Your Erotic Map: Mapping the Sexual Self
9. The Relationship Constellation: Interweaving Erotic Maps
10. Refining the Erotic Body in the World
References
Biography
Melissa Walker, MA, LPC, CST, R-DMT is a Licensed Professional Counselor and AASECT Certified Sex Therapist who specializes in Somatic and Dance/Movement Therapy-based relationship therapy.
‘Melissa Walker’s book is a delicious groundbreaker, and a profound resource for all of us. Not just about having sex, this book looks at our erotic natures as we navigate our daily lives. It includes all genders, orientations, and interests in its exploration of how we inhabit our bodies from within in order to call forth erotic experiences and expressions, both as self-affirmation and relational depth. A must read, and a must experience.’– Christine Caldwell, Ph.D., BC-DMT, LPC, NCC, ACS, founder and professor emeritus of the Somatic Counseling Program at Naropa University in Boulder, CO, author of Getting Our Bodies Back, Getting in Touch, Body and Oppression, and Bodyfulness
‘Rarely do I come across a sex-positive, pleasure-focused resource that is clinically relevant and effective, as well as relatable and inspiring. Whole-Body Sex prompts an invaluable journey for readers to know their erotic bodies, ask for what they want, and have the great sex they deserve. Thank you, Melissa, for writing a book that is as refreshing as it is necessary.’– Holly Richmond, Ph.D., somatic psychologist, licensed marriage & family therapist, certified sex therapist
‘Whole-Body Sex: Somatic Sex Therapy and the Lost Language of the Erotic Body by Melissa Walker offers a compelling and transformative narrative towards embodiment, intimacy, and discourse about desire. This meticulously constructed work gives us an enhanced set of tools and language that centers somatic sex therapy and the necessity of considering the nuances of clients' sexual selves. This book is a timely contribution to our field and required reading for all sexuality professionals and the clients they clinically serve.’– James C. Wadley, Ph.D., CST, CST-S, Director of Sex Therapy Program, Council for Relationships (Philadelphia, PA), co-editor of The Art of Sex Therapy Supervision (Routledge)
‘A brilliant and much needed integration of body and mind, perfectly designed to support people in their journey to embodied, whole, healthy and joyous sexuality … Melissa is the clear, wise and exceptional guide you need. Her book is on my very short list of the most highly recommended!’ – Sheri Winston, CNM, BRN, LMT, wholistic sexuality teacher, founder of The Intimate Arts Center, award-winning author of Women’s Anatomy of Arousal and Succulent SexCraft
