When Art Therapy Meets Sex Therapy

Einat S. Metzl, PhD, LMFT, ATR-BC, is a licensed marriage and family therapist and a registered, board-certified art therapist, with additional training in sex therapy and play therapy. She is an assistant professor at Loyola Marymount University and works with individuals and couples in her private practice office in Los Angeles, California.

• Preface Outline of the Book I: Why Should We Explore Sexuality Creatively? 1. Where Art Therapy and Sex Therapy Intertwine 2. Creative Assessments of Sexual Needs and Wants 3.The Visual Cultures of Sexuality 4. The Many Layers of Sexuality II: Implementation 5. Exploring Gender Identity Through Art Making 6. Sexual Health, Behaviors, and Shame, Explored Through Art Making 7. Treating Sexual Abuse While Integrating Body, Mind, and Spirit 8. Envisioning the Interpersonal Space in Couples’ Lives, Through Art 9. Art Interventions for Parenting Issues Related to Sexuality 10. Love, Sex, and Addiction – Exploring the Hunger Games 11. Concluding Thoughts – The Art of Embracing Our Most Intimate Selves References

“Dr. Einat Metzl’s book will invigorate the mental health community’s appreciation of art therapy and sex therapy. Grounded firmly in Metzl’s clinical experience, this comprehensive text illuminates areas critical to conducting effective and culturally competent treatment. It is a vital contribution to the literature, reinforcing the highest standards of professional competence in art therapy and sex therapy.”—Donna Betts, PhD, ATR-BC, board president, the American Art Therapy Association; professor, George Washington University Art Therapy Program, USA“In the book When Art Therapy Meets Sex Therapy, art therapy and sex therapy are a perfect marriage; most therapists will find that the two provide assessment and treatment tools to understand a world that may not be accessible with verbal techniques alone. This book gives a good review of the practices and benefits of art therapy as a way to use an adjunctive therapy to increase creativity and enhance treatment.”—Tammy Nelson, PhD, certified sex therapist, registered art therapist, licensed relationship therapist; author, The New Monogamy and Getting the Sex You Want.“Anyone reading this book will experience an ‘Aha!’ moment as Dr. Einat Metzl brings into focus two seemingly incongruent fields. Written in a style that is both informative and conversational, readers from either discipline—sex or art therapy—will undoubtedly learn something new and essential that can inform their practice. The book is also a great springboard to researchers looking for an area of fruitful investigation.”— Stephanie Buehler, MPW, PsyD, CST-S, psychologist and sex therapist; author, What Every Mental Health Professional Needs to Know about Sex"...Metzl makes a good argument for art therapists learning more about sexuality and becoming more comfortable with talking the talk."— Leonore Tiefer, Certified Sex Therapist, in PsycCRITIQUES