Book Review: Sexuality: Existential perspectives

The next book Sexuality: Existential Perspectives (edited by Martin Milton) is specifically written from an existential viewpoint, exploring the notion of sexuality in the therapeutic domain. The book is very well presented with an emphasis on an academic foundation which develops as the reader becomes engrossed in the 7 parts that the book has been divided into, which are all rich in diverse content. The book offers an insight from eminent clinicians on the subject of sexuality from an existential perspective. I liked the way the authors discuss sexuality as being a part of life as opposed to it being just one part of or something static in life. The book enables the reader to engage in discourse regarding sexuality by asking the reader to go beyond the therapeutic room and look at their own perceptions of sexuality. It was particularly enlightening to read from the editor Martin Milton, that "..existential theory is no longer just stuck with "death" as a topic of interest. We are well involved in the attempt to clarify understandings and to explore new and creative formulations..." (Milton, 2014: p 12). I found this quote to enthuse the book and support the reader in their journey in exploring existential perspectives on sexuality, even though the death anxiety can be seen lurking in some small areas of the book!

The audience for this book is not just confined to the therapeutic world but to scholars, academics and keen enthusiasts in existentialism. I would suggest however that potential readers of this book should have a sound knowledge of existential theory and practice before reading it, as it is heavily steeped in existential philosophy and practice. From Merleau-Ponty to Sartre, the chapters are embedded in existential history as well as current trends in therapy and sexuality. I particularly welcome the controversial debates on affirmation therapy (chapters 6 and 7) and the LGBT community as a way of opening smooth flowing dialogue between society's assumptions of the LGBT community and LGBT individuals themselves having the space to explore an identity that is important in their journey of discovery. Such chapters support the exploration of the client and the therapist when they are engaged in existential dialogue in therapy, something which as a reader I value. Topics such as gay affirmative therapy, sexuality in the therapeutic relationship, childhood and sexuality are explored in detail and actually were refreshing to read. This book is bold in the topics it covers and the editor Martin Milton has done an excellent job in weaving together the past, present and future of existential therapy and sexuality.

Such a fundamental expression of self, the topic of sex and sexuality has long been synonymous with traditional psychoanalytic theory. It is therefore refreshing to read a book that encapsulates such a topic from an existential standpoint. Yet, the humility of Martin Milton's resonates with Emmy van Deurzen & Claire Arnold-Baker's (2005) Existential Perspectives on Human Issues. In that book, the contributing authors bought together different aspects of human life, engaging with painful parts of human existence through the practice of existential therapy, something which Milton's (2014) book endeavours to do as well. Such a challenging and thought provoking book should not be seen as a passing phase but rather as a gateway for other writers to continue dialogue on this topic. With a mass rise in child exploitation, human trafficking and historical cases of child abuse surfacing, the topic of sex and sexuality should not be shied away from but rather further developed in order to understand the darker side of such acts. Even Martin Milton (2014) in his epilogue acknowledges areas such as pornography, BDSM and sexual violence have not been covered in the book. Entering into such uncharted waters from an existential approach would allow for the therapeutic community to support clients at their most vulnerable and challenging times.

References

Van Deurzen, E. & Arnold-Baker, C. (eds). (2005). Existential Perspectives on Human Issues. Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan.

Dr Maria Koumi-Elia