New Books Network Juliane Maxwald, "Psychoanalytic Sex Therapy: Exploring the Unconscious Life of Sexuality" (Taylor & Francis, 2025)
Jan 21, 2026
Juliane Maxwald, a licensed psychoanalyst and sex therapist, dives deep into her new book, merging psychoanalytic insights with sex therapy practices. She discusses how sexual symptoms reflect unconscious conflicts and early traumas, using engaging case studies to illustrate her points. Maxwald emphasizes the therapeutic importance of decoding sexual behaviors, exploring themes of shame and dissociation, and respecting clients' defenses. She also reframes non-monogamy and masturbation as avenues for healing and understanding, illustrating that sexuality is a complex interplay of the mind and body.
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Mind-Body Gap Between Disciplines
- Psychoanalysis emphasizes unconscious meaning and fantasy but often neglects the body.
- Sex therapy focuses on behavior and physiology but can miss deeper unconscious dynamics.
Teach Through Rich Case Material
- Use detailed case examples to teach clinicians how to integrate psychoanalytic, somatic, and behavioral approaches.
- Make clinical writing accessible so therapists can apply techniques immediately.
Respect Defenses; Work Somatically
- Respect defenses and don't remove them too quickly; they serve a protective function.
- Use trauma- and somatic-informed work to access pre-verbal, body-stored material safely.
