ABSTRACT
As researchers in the field of men’s studies, advocates for the new psychology of men, and psychotherapists whose practices have experienced a notable increase in male clients, we have become aware of an odd paradox in our professional work. On one hand, we do not identify ourselves as sex therapists. On the other hand, regardless of the presenting issue, our therapeutic work with gay, bisexual, and heterosexual men almost always entails some attention to sexual matters. Although we believe that these matters need to be approached from a broad, integrated approach to men’s sexuality, this process had been hampered by four false dichotomies: (a) sex therapy versus psychotherapy; (b) essentialism versus social constructionist views of men’s sexual behavior; (c) feminism versus men’s studies; and (d) positive psychology of men versus views emphasizing the dark side of masculinity. In this chapter, we will resolve these seemingly oppositional positions to promote a more effective approach to men’s sexuality.
