Jennifer A. Vencill

When it comes to libido, every one of us is different… But that’s no bad thing.Differences in libido is a common issue in romantic relationships, often leading to insecurity, conflict and communication breakdown. It can be difficult to find help, as most research on the topic adheres to a narrow, heteronormative model of sexual intimacy — a way of thinking that hinders our ability to enjoy sex to the full.Dr. Fogel Mersy and Dr. Vencill’s Desire rejects this model. Drawing upon their wealth of experience as certified sex therapists, Fogel Mersy and Vencill look beyond structural oppressions like cisnormativity and compulsory sexuality, to promote a liberated, inclusive perspective.Through scientific research, cultural analysis, and practical exercises, readers can learn what impacts libido, how to improve communication, and how to manage sexual anxieties, in order to create a healthier and happier attitude towards sex and intimacy.Whoever you are or whoever you're into, Desire will help you find the key to having great sex and making lasting relationships.Praise for Desire:'Brilliant. . . . This is the most inclusive, up-to-date book on sexual desire I have ever encountered, with the potential to help countless individuals' Laurie Mintz, PhD, author of Becoming Cliterate'Desire is the most important sexuality book of the last decade' Barry McCarthy, PhD, author of Couple Sexuality After 60'An incredibly comprehensive, thoughtful, inclusive, and encouraging book for anyone looking to understand sexual desire or improve their relationship with their partner' Dr. Debby Herbenick, PhD, MPH, author of Because It Feels Good: A Woman's Guide to Sexual Pleasure and Satisfaction

A radically inclusive, sex-positive guide to managing the inevitable libido differences in our relationships, authored by two certified sex therapists who are passionate about good sex 2024 Distinguished Book Award Winner, selected by the American Psychological Association's Division 44 Desire invites readers of all ages, genders, sexual orientations, and relationship structures to shed the shame and misinformation that surround the topic of sex and instead learn from 2 certified sex therapists about how libido really works. Desire differences are one of the most common relationship issues, yet, with fewer than 1,100 certified sex therapists in the country, it can be difficult to find help. This essential book breaks the mold of the sex self-help genre, which typically focuses only on cisgender women. Through the authors' expert guidance readers will learn about embracing a more expansive definition of sex, identifying various factors that can impact libido, managing anxiety around sex (one of the biggest libido killers), the structural oppressions--from cisnormativity to heteronormativity to compulsory sexuality to minority stress--that affect our libido, and much, much more. It rejects the narrow, heteronormative, "staircase" model of sex--a way of thinking where many relationships get stuck. It integrates evidence-based relationship therapy techniques for better communication around sex. Included are dozens of techniques, exercises, checklists, and journal prompts for readers to use at their own pace to fit their needs, including mindfulness, body mapping, and sensate focus. Whatever your identity, sexual practices, or reason for picking up this book, Desire will help you reach your personal sexual health goals.

A radically inclusive, sex-positive guide to managing the inevitable libido differences in our relationships, authored by two certified sex therapists who are passionate about good sex 2024 Distinguished Book Award Winner, selected by the American Psychological Association's Division 44 Desire invites readers of all ages, genders, sexual orientations, and relationship structures to shed the shame and misinformation that surround the topic of sex and instead learn from 2 certified sex therapists about how libido really works. Desire differences are one of the most common relationship issues, yet, with fewer than 1,100 certified sex therapists in the country, it can be difficult to find help. This essential book breaks the mold of the sex self-help genre, which typically focuses only on cisgender women. Through the authors' expert guidance readers will learn about embracing a more expansive definition of sex, identifying various factors that can impact libido, managing anxiety around sex (one of the biggest libido killers), the structural oppressions--from cisnormativity to heteronormativity to compulsory sexuality to minority stress--that affect our libido, and much, much more. It rejects the narrow, heteronormative, "staircase" model of sex--a way of thinking where many relationships get stuck. It integrates evidence-based relationship therapy techniques for better communication around sex. Included are dozens of techniques, exercises, checklists, and journal prompts for readers to use at their own pace to fit their needs, including mindfulness, body mapping, and sensate focus. Whatever your identity, sexual practices, or reason for picking up this book, Desire will help you reach your personal sexual health goals.