1st Edition
The Routledge International Handbook of Sexual Compulsivity and Clinical Sexology
1. Introduction
Silva Neves
Section 1: Clinical formulations of compulsive sexual behaviours
2. The debate: “sex addiction” Vs compulsive sexual behaviours
Annika Tamme & Mary-Ann Kubre
3. Compulsive sexual behaviour disorder: where are we at? A literature review
Madga Piesiewicz
4. Lay epistemology of compulsive sexual behaviour
Lisa Etherson
5. Pornography-related distress: answers to common practice questions through a contextual lens
Brian A. Droubay
6. Compulsive sexual behaviour: an integrated and inclusive approach
Dr Roberta Babb
7. Exploring the function of the “dysfunction”: re-thinking attachment, connection and intimacy for broader perspectives on sexual compulsivity
Silva Neves
Section 2: The causes of compulsive sexual behaviour
8. Attachment injuries, shame and the aetiology of compulsive sexual behaviour
Lisa Etherson
9. Trauma and compulsive sexual behaviour: unraveling the connection and exploring therapeutic approaches
Rita Torres
10. Compulsive sexual behaviour, impulse control and emotional dysregulation: a broader view
Rima Hawkins
11. Perceived compulsive sexual behavior: when sexual diversity is misunderstood
Stefano Eleuteri & Berfin Alyesil
12. The organic causes of hypersexuality
Dr Angela Wright
Section 3: Specific clinical presentations of compulsive sexual behaviour
13. Women and compulsive sexual behaviour
Jenna Mc Caffrey
14. How psychosexual issues could influence compulsive sexual behavior (CSB), and how CSB could maintain psychosexual issues
Catriona Boffard
15. Aberrance, identity, and serious leisure: understanding BDSM/Kink within the framework of compulsive sexual behavior
Stefani Goerlich
16. Compulsive sexual behaviour and neurodiversity
Julie Marshall
17. Addressing compulsive sexual behaviour disorder in clients from the Global Majority
Natasha Anderson-Foster
18. Chemsex
Dr Aoife Drury
19. Artificial Intelligence and sexual compulsivity
Neil McArthur
Section 4: Treatments of compulsive sexual behaviour
20. Compulsive sexual behaviour and the three-phase model
Hanna Möllås
21. Compulsive sexual behaviour and the person-centred approach
Lorraine Carpenter-Emery
22. Compulsive sexual behaviour and Gestalt Therapy
Juliette Clancy
23. Sexual Integration Therapy: A sex-positive, non-pathologizing approach shifting compulsive sexual behavior to authentic sexual expression
Galen Fous & Christina Bazzaroni
24. Compulsive sexual behaviour and the CBT approach
Simon Lyne
25. Working with compulsive sexual behaviour using Transactional Analysis
Alison Bryant
26. Treating problematic sexual behavior with Internal Family Systems viewed through a polyvagal lens
Dr Peg Hurley and Carl Mojta
27. Addressing compulsive sexual behaviour through a psychodynamic lens: insights from case study analysis
Dorota Mucha
28. Working through shame in psychodrama: A trauma-informed approach to compulsive sexual behaviours
Eva Koumpli
29. EMDR as a treatment for compulsive sexual behaviour
Nicola Pinder
30. Kink-affirming perspectives on clients presenting with sexual behavior concerns
Stephen E. Ratcliff and Stefani Goerlich
31. Compulsive sexual behaviour and an existential approach: avoiding existential truths
Niki D
32. Compulsive sexual behaviour and Compassion Focused Therapy
Alexis Caught
33. Group work in the context of compulsive sexual behaviours
Dr Christopher McCormack and Dr Michael Yates
34. Compulsive sexual behaviour and intimate partner therapy
Deborah Sless
35. Supporting partners of people with compulsive sexual behaviours
Ella Shannon Morter
36. The Clinical supervision of therapists working with compulsive sexual behaviours. Providing a sex-positive, sexologically-informed reflective space for therapists to examine their work, projection, countertransference and blind spots
Keith Marshall
Section 5: Further perspectives
37. Homosexuality as Addiction: The Rev. Jerry Falwell’s Approach to Queerness and Its Legacy in the New Christian Right
Lucas F.W. Wilson & Christine M. Robinson
38. The impact of Purity Culture teachings on sexual behaviour and self esteem
Lucy Rowett
39. Beyond the “porn addiction” myth: Delivering Sexually Explicit Material (SEM) literacy in sexological practice Mahmoud Baydoun
40. Gay men and the benefits of visiting gay sex clubs
Silva Neves
41. Conclusion
Silva Neves
Biography
Silva Neves is an award-winning COSRT-accredited and UKCP-registered psychosexual and relationship psychotherapist and author, specialising in sexology, relationships and trauma. He is a member of the editorial board of the journal Sexual and Relationship Therapy and an international speaker.
“The field of problem sexual behaviors has been plagued with simplistic, reductive, moralistic thinking. In The Routledge International Handbook of Sexual Compulsivity and Clinical Sexology, Neves has curated an excellent collection of chapters which fully embrace the complexity and diversity of human sexuality, and encourage clinicians and researchers to avoid the many past mistakes in this area. This book is an excellent guide to assist in effective, non-shaming and evidence-based treatment for those who struggle with their sexual desires.”
David J. Ley, PhD, clinical psychologist and sex therapist
“Comprehensive, clear, and deeply practical, this handbook equips therapists with the tools they need to work confidently with clients struggling with compulsive sexual behaviours. With its strong inclusion of LGBTQ+ perspectives and diverse cultural contexts, it provides an invaluable guide for delivering effective, sex-positive, and culturally attuned care. By moving beyond outdated ‘sex addiction’ models and amplifying diverse, sex-positive perspectives, Silva Neves and an international team of experts offer clinicians an indispensable guide to understanding and treating sexual compulsivity with nuance, compassion, and rigor.”
Joe Kort, PhD, leading sex and relationship therapist, best known for coining the term “Side” to describe gay men whose sexuality does not include penetration
“A comprehensive integration of clinical sexology and contemporary psychotherapy, this book is a narrative-rich, principle-based guide for addressing compulsive sexual behaviors. Moving beyond the narrow limits of sex addiction frameworks, it sets a new international standard for understanding and treating the personal, relational, and cultural dimensions of this complex human behavior.”
Douglas Braun-Harvey, founder of The Harvey Institute
“The Routledge International Handbook of Sexual Compulsivity and Clinical Sexology is a timely and essential contribution to the field of Sexual Health. Edited by Silva Neves, whose clinical expertise and thought leadership in this area are widely recognised, the volume brings together diverse perspectives while positioning clinical and positive sexology as the primary lens through which to understand and respond to sexual compulsivity. This work challenges stigma, integrates global voices, and advances ethical, evidence-based care. It will undoubtedly shape research, policy and most importantly person-centred clinical care for years to come.”
Dr Elna Rudolph, immediate past president, World Association for Sexual Health, South Africa
“This book is essential reading for clinicians working on sexual compulsivity, and arguably for those working in the field of sexualities more generally. Silva Neves brings together expert clinicians, practitioners, and academics to provide a truly comprehensive overview of sexual compulsivity as it relates to different areas of sexuality, including pornography, chemsex, BDSM, recognising the need to think about these topics holistically, considering aspects of gender, neurodiversity, ethnicity, and trauma. There is a significant lack of research and practical considerations around CSB, especially rooted within sexology frameworks – this book helps fill that gap and provides an excellent foundation in paving the way for more.
While perspectives related to CSB are often divisive, these debates help push the boundaries of knowledge and encourage thinking around these sensitive and complex topics. Even if you do not agree with all the various perspectives and considerations in the book, you will come away with a more comprehensive understanding of a topic that has made you question your thoughts, beliefs, and actions. Self-reflection and the ability to be challenged is so vital in this field.
One of the key appeals of the book is its writing style – each chapter has a distinct personality that shines from the author’s. Large handbooks can often be daunting, but the comprehensive overview provided by each author allows the reader to dip in and out of different chapters of interest as needed, and it feels like you’re having a conversation with the author.”
Dr Liam Wignall, University of Brighton, UK
"The Routledge International Handbook of Sexual Compulsivity and Clinical Sexology is a must have for clinicians working with people who are experiencing sexual compulsivity and related concerns! Editor, Silva Neves, brings together an incredible team of international authors in this text and each groundbreaking chapter addresses areas of intersectionality that often warrant careful consideration when working with people struggling with sexual compulsivity; these areas include, but are not limited to—neurodiversity, chemsex, artificial intelligence, and attachment bonds and related processes. The consistent lens presented throughout the handbook is one that is grounded in research and scholarship, as well as being rooted in sex-positivity, high care ethics, and anti-oppressive practices."
Markie L. C. Twist, PhD, LMFT, LMHC, CSE, CSE-S, RegCOSRT, teaching faculty, Antioch University New England; session instructor, University of Guelph; editor-in-chief, Sexual and Relationship Therapy
