Whether they involve excess, a decrease, or complete absence, problems of sexual desire drive women to consult sex therapists, couples counselors, and other practitioners (to say nothing of self-help books and talk-show hosts). Facing the Complexities of Women's Sexual Desire, by veteran sex therapist Vera Sonja Maass, is one of the few books to address these intimate phenomena in practical clinical detail.

"This book focuses on a specific problem that is frequently encountered in the office of sex and family therapists, as well as health psychologists and primary care physicians: women's sexual desire or lack thereof. Written from the perspective of the sex therapist, the book covers both research and clinical interventions. First several theoretical considerations are explored. Treatment issues are addressed in terms of both pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical approaches. Case histories demonstrate the application of a particular model within a practical cognitive-behavioral treatment approach. The book outlines the factors that contribute to the decline in sexual desire in women of various ages. The process of in-depth exploration of the contributing factors and search for increased sexual pleasure and desire is a comprehensive one, including various steps, which are described in detail. These steps can be undertaken with the help and guidance of a professional therapist in the field or by the woman herself. TOC:Preface.- Acknowledgements.- List of Tables.- PART I: Background and Explanations.-Influences on Women's Sexual Experiences.- Desire-Phase Problems and the Search for Explanations.- Bio-Ethological and Social-Psychological Explanations.- PART II: The Women in Context.- Searching for Sexual Identity.- Symptom Manifestation Within Relationships.- Women's Relationships to Power.- Intra-Personal Considerations Relevant to Sex Therapy.- PART III: Toward Resolution.- Developments in Sexology and Sex Therapy.- Cognitive Behavioral Factors Relevant to Treatment.- CODA: A Practical Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment Approach.- Learning From the Past - Thoughts for the Future.- Appendix (A, B).- References.- Author Index.- Subject Index."

Background and Explanations.- Influences on Women's Sexual Experiences.- Desire-Phase Problems and the Search for Explanations.- Bio-Ethological and Social-Psychological Explanations.- The Women in Context.- Searching for Sexual Identity.- Symptom Manifestation Within Relationships.- Women's Relationships to Power.- Intra-Personal Considerations Relevant to Sex Therapy.- Toward Resolution.- Developments in Sexology and Sex Therapy.- Cognitive Behavioral Factors Relevant to Treatment.- A Practical Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment Approach.- Learning From the Past-Thoughts for the Future.