Treating Sexual Shame

In therapy, as in the world at large, sexuality is different from other issues because of the culturally imposed secrecy and shame that inhibit open, non-defended talk about it. Anne Stirling Hastings, Ph.D., who specializes in treating the overlapping sexual problems of abuse, addiction, and dysfunction, encourages clinicians to recognize and overcome their own shame as a precondition to eliciting and advancing their clients' awareness.