Module: Psychosexual Integrative Practice

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Psychosexual Integrative Practice
Module Code	PST1016 (ITS: NS5036)
Faculty	Nursing, PsyT & Comm Health	School	Science & Health
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	5

Description

This module is designed to prepare students to work psychotherapeutically with individual clients and couples presenting with a range of psychosexual problems. The module considers the relevance of biological, cultural, historical and psychological factors in relation to adult psychosexual functioning. It draws on an integrative approach to psychosexual therapeutic practice with specific reference to humanistic, cognitive-behavioural, systemic and psychodynamic theories. Students will receive lectures and engage in seminar groups, psychosexual skills development, personal/professional awareness activities tutor-lead on-line and on campus activities.

Learning Outcomes

1. Understand the relevance of biological, cultural, historical and psychological factors with respect to adult psychosexual functioning
2. Discern the most appropriate theoretical approach or integration of approaches, including humanistic, cognitive- behavioural, systemic and psychodynamic perspectives, to assist individuals and couples experiencing psychosexual concerns
3. Understand and explain the 'Good Enough Sex Model' to clients
4. Recognise and respond to the impact of hypersexuality and sexual addiction on adult intimate relationships
5. Understand the complexity of recovering from sexual abuse in the context of adult intimate relationships
6. Undertake psychotherapeutic practice with individual clients and couples presenting with psychosexual concerns through the application of the PLISSIT model
7. Identify a range of male and female clients sexual dysfunctions in client casework
8. Understand their personal and professional motivations for engaging in psychosexual therapeutic practice
9. Make referrals for medical assessments of sexual problems

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	15	Didactic Teaching/ Lectures
Directed learning	15	Seminar groups; Application of Theory to Practice; Psychosexual Therapeutic Skills Practice; Personal and Professional Awareness Activities.
Tutorial	5	Tutor led formative engagement with individual students and learning groups
Independent Study	90	Self-directed learning; Course Reading; Literature Searching; Assignment Preparation and Submission;
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	11444	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Stephanie Finan	Module Teacher	Ray O'Neill

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Essay	Written assignment 2500 words	100%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Biopsychosocial
The biopsychosocial approach considers the biological, cultural, historical, psychological and social contexts of sexual difficulties

Integrative Psychotherapy
By engaging in case conceptualisation, students will learn how to practice integrative psychotherapy with individuals and couples with psychosexual issues

Psychosexual
The mind/body connection in sexual functioning

Sexuality/Orientation
The expression of one's sexual identity and sexual preferences

Sexual Abuse
Sexual violation of a child or an adult by strangers or family members

Hypersexuality
Sexually compulsive or addictive behaviour that interrupts human functioning and adult intimate relationships

Female sexual dysfunctions
Females experience a range of sexual dysfunctions including vaginismus, dyspareunia, anorgasmia, addictive sexual behaviours and sexual aversion

Male sexual dysfunctions
Men experience a range sexual dysfunctions including erectile problems, premature and retarded ejaculation, dyspareunia, addictive sexual behaviours and sexual phobias

Personal Reflection
Demonstrate an in-depth reflexive awareness of self in relation to others in relation to psychosexual psychotherapeutic practice

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Denman, C: 2004, Sexuality- A Biopsychosexual Approach, Palgrave Macmillan., New York,
Gurman, A.S: 2008, Clinical Handbook of Couple Therapy, Guilford Press, New York,
Leiblum, S.R: 2007, Principles and Practices of Sex Therapy Guilford Press., Guilford Press, New York,
Maltz,W: 2012, The Sexual Healing Journey, Harper Collins, New York,
Wincze, J.P., & Carey, M.P: 2001, Sexual Dysfunction- A Guide for Assessment and Treatment, Guilford Press., New York,
American Psychiatric Association: 2013, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (V), American Psychiatric Association, USA,
Bancroft, J: 2009, Human Sexuality and Its Problems, Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, United Kingdom,
Bass, E., Davis, L: 2008, The Courage to Heal, Harper, New York,
Beck, A: 1976, Cognitive therapy and emotional disorders., International Universities Press, New York,
Carnes, P: 2006, Out of the Shadows- Understanding Sexual Addiction, Hazelden, Minnesota,
Carr, A: 2006, Family Therapy Concepts, Process and Practice, Wiley, Chichester,
Dolan, Y: 1991, Resolving Sexual Abuse, Norton, New York & London,
Gilbert, M., & Schmukler, D: 2001, Brief Therapy with Couples: An Integrative Approach, Wiley, New York,
Gurman, A.S., Lebow, J.L., Synder, D.K: 2015, Clinical Handbook of Couple Therapy, 5th, Guilford Press, New York,
Hall, P: 2013, Understanding and Treating Sex Addiction, Sage, London,
Hawton, K: 1996, Sex Therapy, Oxford University Press, Oxford: New York,
Jacobs, M: 2005, The Presenting Past: The Core of Psychodynamic Counselling and Therapy Buckingham: Open University Press., Open University Press., Buckingham,
Levounis, P., Yarbrough, E. (Eds).(2020): 2020, Pocket Guide to LGBTQ Mental Health- Understanding the Spectrum of Gender and Sexuality, 1st, . American Psychiatric Association, Washington,
Levine, S.: 2020, Psychotherapeutic Approaches to Sexual Problems, 1st, American Psychiatric Association, Washington.,
Masters, W & Johnson V: 1970, Human Sexual Inadequacy, Little Brown, Boston,
O’Leary. C: 1999, Counselling Couples and Families: A Person-centered Approach. London: Sage., London, Sage,
Walker, L: 1994, Abused Women and Survivor therapy- A Practical Guide for the Psychotherapist, The American Psychological Association, USA,
Weeks, G.R., Gambescia, N: 2002, Hypoactive Sexual Desire- Integrating Sex and Couple Therapy, Norton, New York,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

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