Whole-Body Sex: Somatic Sex Therapy and the Lost Language of the Erotic Body 

By: Melissa Walker, LPC, CST, R-DMT

Awarded the AASECT book award for general audience in 2023!

Whole-Body Sex: Somatic Sex Therapy and the Lost Language of the Erotic Body is a guide through the layers of your social-sexual self to uncover and reclaim the wisdom of your sex/ual/ity.

Weaving together dance/movement therapy, neurobiological-based contemplative practice, and sex therapy approaches, this uniquely interdisciplinary and practical book offers guidance on how to strengthen your connection with pleasure and receptivity in an embodied way.

Filled with questions, guided experientials, and map-building practices that help readers learn more about themselves, this book is essential reading for sex therapists to navigate the vast map of sexuality to create true health and sexual evolution.

Whole-Body Sex supports the somatic dismantling of the shame and performance-centric model of sexuality to craft a personally meaningful and sexuality-affirming narrative.

We also offer training that accompanies Whole-Body Sex for the full experience! Click here to learn more. 

Read Chapter 1 Now
Order on Amazon
Order on Routledge Publishing

Endorsements

See what people are saying!

A brilliant and much-needed integration of body and mind, perfectly designed to support people in their journey to embodied, whole, healthy and joyous sexuality. Whether you have challenges and want to heal them or if your erotic experiences are already good but you want to get to fabulous, Melissa is the clear, wise, and exceptional guide you need. Her book is on my very shortlist of the most highly recommended!

— Sheri Winston, CNM, BRN, LMT. Wholistic Sexuality Teacher. Founder of The Intimate Arts Center. Award-winning author of Women’s Anatomy of Arousal and Succulent SexCraft.

Melissa Walker’s book is a delicious groundbreaker and a profound resource for all of us. Not just about having sex, this book looks at our erotic natures as we navigate our daily lives. It includes all genders, orientations, and interests in its exploration of how we inhabit our bodies from within in order to call forth erotic experiences and expressions, both as self- affirmation and relational depth. A must-read and a must experience.

— Christine Caldwell, Ph.D., BC-DMT, LPC, NCC, ACS, founder and professor emeritus of the Somatic Counseling Program at Naropa University in Boulder, CO, author of Getting Our Bodies Back, Getting in Touch, Body, and Oppression, and Bodyfulness

Rarely do I come across a sex-positive, pleasure-focused resource that is clinically relevant and effective, as well as relatable and inspiring. Whole-Body Sex prompts an invaluable journey for readers to know their erotic bodies, ask for what they want, and have the great sex they deserve. Thank you, Melissa, for writing a book that is as refreshing as it is necessary.

— Holly Richmond, Ph.D., Somatic Psychologist, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, Certified Sex Therapist

Whole-Body Sex: Somatic Sex Therapy and the Lost Language of the Erotic Body by Melissa Walker offers a compelling and transformative narrative towards embodiment, intimacy, and discourse about desire. This meticulously constructed work gives us an enhanced set of tools and language that centers somatic sex therapy and the necessity of considering the nuances of clients; sexual selves. This book is a timely contribution to our field and required reading for all sexuality professionals and the clients they clinically serve.

— James C. Wadley, Ph.D., CST, CST-S, Director of Sex Therapy Program, Council for Relationships (Philadelphia, PA), Co-Editor of the Art of Sex Therapy Supervision (Routledge)