The Routledge International Handbook of Sex Therapy and Religion

Introduction and Opening Chapter

Introduction to The Routledge International Handbook of Sex

Therapy and Religion

Caleb Jacobson

1 Principles of Sex Therapy and Religion

Caleb Jacobson

PART I Sex, Sexuality, Gender, and Religion

2 Sex, Sexuality, and Gender Within Judaism

Dov Linzer

3 Sex, Sexuality, and Gender Within Catholicism

Agnieszka Laddach

4 Sex, Sexuality, and Gender Within Protestantism

Stephen W. Simpson

5 Sex, Sexuality, and Gender Within Islam

Mohammed Issa

PART II Cultural Diversity Within Abrahamic Faith Traditions

6 Cultural Diversity Within Judaism: Observant, Traditional, and Secular Expressions

Jonathan Riaboy and Rachel Radfard

7 Cultural Diversity Within Catholicism: Finding Common Ground in a Latino Context

Nélida Naveros Córdova

8 Cultural Diversity Within Islam: Scottish, Pakistani, and Muslim

Amanullah De Sondy

PART III Sexual Dilemmas When Working With Religious Patients

Sexual Dilemma #1: Masturbation and Porn

9 A Jewish Perspective of Masturbation and Porn

Reuven Evan Boshnack

10 A Christian Perspective of Masturbation and Porn

Christine Wilhoite

11 A Muslim Perspective of Masturbation and Porn Tarek Elgawhary

Sexual Dilemma #2: Premarital Sex and Marriage

12 A Jewish Perspective of Premarital Sex and Marriage

Judi Keshet-Orr

13 A Christian Perspective of Premarital Sex and Marriage

David K. Bernard and Cynthia Miller

14 A Muslim Perspective of Premarital Sex and Marriage

Sameera Qureshi and Amal Killawi

Sexual Dilemma #3: Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

15 A Jewish Perspective on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

Yona-Dvir Shalem

16 A Christian Perspective of Sexual Orientation

William Loader

17 A Muslim Perspective of Sexual Orientation

Donja Hodaie

Sexual Dilemma #4: Alternative Sexual Behavior

18 A Jewish Perspective of Alternative Sexual Behavior

Shai Spitzen and Odelia Cheriker

19 A Christian Perspective of Alternative Sexual Behavior

J. D. Mechelke

20 A Muslim Perspective of Alternative Sexual Behavior

Sayyed Mohamed Muhsin

PART IV Working With Religious Patients in Clinical Practice

Therapeutic Topic #1: Unconsummated Marriages

21 Working Through Unconsummated Marriages With Jewish Patients

Sarah Lebovits and Judy Lebovits

22 Working Through Unconsummated Marriages With Christian Patients

Michael R. Sytsma

23 Working Through Unconsummated Marriages With Muslim Patients

Wafaa Eltantawy

Therapeutic Topic #2: Sexual Anxiety

24 Working Through Sexual Anxiety With Jewish Patients

Hanna Yerushalmi

25 Working Through Sexual Anxiety With Christian Patients

Jennifer Aull

26 Working Through Sexual Anxiety With Muslim Patients

Mariam Aziz

Therapeutic Topic #3: Sexual Shame

27 Working Through Sexual Shame With Jewish Patients

Talli Yehuda Rosenbaum and Miki Wieder

28 Working Through Sexual Shame With Christian Patients

David Pitcher

29 Working Through Sexual Shame With Muslim Patients

Remziye Kunelaki

Therapeutic Topic #4: Sexual Abuse and Trauma

30 Working Through Sexual Abuse With Jewish Patients

Samuel “Shy” Krug

31 Working Through Sexual Abuse With Christian Patients

Nate Brooks

32 Working Through Sexual Abuse and Trauma With Muslim Patients

Amira El Deeb

Therapeutic Topic #5: Infidelity

33 Working Through Infidelity With Jewish Patients

Caleb Jacobson

34 Working Through Infidelity With Christian Patients

Richelle Dadian

35 Working Through Infidelity With Muslim Patients

Somia Elmorshidy

Therapeutic Topic #6: LGBTQ+ Issues

36 Working Through LGBTQ+ Issues With Jewish Patients

Estee Hirsch

37 Working Through LGBTQ+ Issues With Christian Patients

Mark A. Yarhouse and Julia Sadusky

38 Working Through LGBTQ+ Issues With Muslim Patients

Hala Elrefaiy

Closing Chapter and Conclusion

39 Clinical Application of Sex Therapy With Religious Patients

Caleb Jacobson

40 Conclusion to The Routledge International Handbook of Sex Therapy and Religion

Caleb Jacobson

Biography

Dr. Caleb Jacobson is an internationally recognized clinical psychologist, sex therapist, and Bible scholar. His educational background includes a Bachelor of Science (BS) in psychology, a Bachelor of Science (BS) in religion, a Master of Arts (MA) in theological studies, a Master of Science (M.) in psychology, a Master of Divinity (MDiv) in theological studies, a Master of Theology (ThM) in biblical studies, a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) in clinical psychology, and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Hebrew Bible, biblical archaeology, and psychological exegesis. He received Smicha (rabbinic ordination) in 2025. His clinical practice focuses on treating religious patients, male sexual dysfunctions, and rare and problematic sexual issues. A prolific author, Dr. Jacobson has written several books, including Sex Therapy with Religious Patients: Working with Jewish, Christian, and Muslim Communities. He is the founder of the School of Sex Therapy and currently serves as the president of the International Association of Psychosexual Therapists (IAPST).

"In 40 years of clinical sex therapy practice, I have never read a book like this! Caleb Jacobson has assembled a diverse group of authors who provide deeply thoughtful, highly insightful, and clinically useful essays on the nuances of working with religious sex therapy patients. Easily accessible to the secular sex therapist, this is more than just a textbook. This is a fascinating and thoroughly engrossing read.  I believe this will be an invaluable resource for clinicians working with religious patients who are experiencing sexual difficulties."

Daniel N. Watter, PhD, Past President of the Society for Sex Therapy and Research (SSTAR)