Empowering Your Sexual Wellness

Explore our complementary resources created by Carolina Sexual Wellness Center staff.

From a collection of accessible information like suggested readings to comprehensive educational toolkits, our goal is to enhance your understanding and practice of sexual wellness.

Educational Toolkits

Our toolkits cover a range of topics to empower you on your journey towards healthier and more fulfilling sexual wellness. Access our free, comprehensive toolkits and explore a more vibrant and confident you.

Consent Education Toolkit

The CSWC Consent Education Toolkit includes:

Elements of safe intimate spaces.
Examples and scripts for establishing consent.
Identifying verbal and non-verbal cues.
Examples of consent models within Queer communities.
Exploring the ways consent appears in varying kink settings.
Examples of disabilities and navigating consent alongside them.

And much more. Explore the toolkit here.

Healthy Communication Toolkit - Coming Soon!

Guides for open dialogues about desires and boundaries.
Communication tools for fostering intimacy.
Tips for navigating difficult conversations.

Building Intimacy Toolkit - Coming Soon!

Strategies for building emotional intimacy.
Creative ideas for enhancing physical intimacy.
Connecting on a deeper level with your partner(s).

Sexual Health and Wellness Toolkit - Coming Soon!

Comprehensive guides on sexual health.
Information on contraception and safe practices.
Tips for maintaining overall sexual well-being.

Bystander Empowerment Toolkit - Coming Soon!

How to be an active bystander in various situations.
Intervention strategies and respectful communication.
Empowering communities to create safe spaces.

Tech-Savvy Intimacy Toolkit - Coming Soon!

Privacy and security measures for online intimacy.
Navigating technology in the realm of sexual wellness.
Federal and State (NC) legal rights.

Relationship Check-In Toolkit - Coming Soon!

Tools for assessing the health of your relationship.
Discussing expectations and future goals.
Strategies for maintaining a strong emotional connection.

Sexual Diversity and Inclusivity Toolkit - Coming Soon!

Understanding and embracing diverse sexual orientations.
Cultivating an inclusive and supportive environment.
Resources for addressing misconceptions and stereotypes.

Post-Traumatic Growth Toolkit - Coming Soon!

Supporting individuals who have experienced sexual trauma.
Strategies for healing and rebuilding trust.
Navigating intimacy after trauma.

Raising Sexually Aware Families Toolkit - Coming Soon!

Scripts to establish understanding of intimacy and sex within a family dynamic.
Methods of education appropriate for developmental stages.
Fostering environments that empower bodily autonomy, conscious consent, practical awareness.
Tips for navigating the digital world safely.

Professionally Vetted Resources

Discover a curated list of insightful readings by our sex therapists to support your sexual wellness journey. Whether you’re looking to enhance your communication skills, explore new levels of intimacy, or navigate challenging situations, our recommended readings can help you gain the knowledge and confidence you need.

Books

Infidelity and Affairs

Healing From Relationships

Forward, S. & Frazier, D. Emotional Blackmail: When the People in Your Life Use Fear, Obligation, and Guilt to Manipulate You
Gibson, L. Download Free Tools Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents How to Heal from Distant, Rejecting, or Self-Involved Parents
Cloud, H. & Townsend, J. Boundaries: When to Say Yes and How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life
Clarke, L. Courage to Cure Codependency: Healthy Detachment Strategies to Overcome Jealousy in Relationships, Stop Controlling Others, Boost Your Self Esteem, and Be Codependent No More
Sarkis, S. Gaslighting: Recognize Manipulative and Emotionally Abusive People – and Break Free
Fjelstad, M. Healing from a Narcissistic Relationship: A Caretaker’s Guide to Recovery, Empowerment, and Transformation

Ending Relationships

Doherty & Harris. Helping Couples on the Brink of Divorce: Discernment Counseling for Troubled Relationships
Thomas, K. Conscious Uncoupling: 5 Steps to Living Happily Even After
Hartley, G. & Brower, E. Better Apart: The Radically Positive Way to Separate

General Sexuality

Joannides, P. Guide to Getting It On – 6th Edition
Castleman, M. Sizzling Sex for Life: Everything You Need to Know to Maximize Erotic Pleasure at Any Age
Davis, P.The Passion Parties Guide to Great Sex: Secrets and Techniques to Keeping Your Relationship Red Hot
Franklin, E. Pelvic Power: Mind/Body Exercises for Strength, Flexibility, Posture, and Balance for Men and Women
Kerner, I. She Comes First: The Thinking Man’s Guide to Pleasuring a Woman
Kerner, I. He Comes Next: The Thinking Woman’s Guide to Pleasuring a Man
Nelson, T. Add to Wishlist Getting the Sex You Want: Shed Your Inhibitions and Reach New Heights of Passion Together
Watson, L. Wanting Sex Again: How to Rediscover Your Desire and Heal a Sexless Marriage
Resnick, S. Add to Wishlist The Heart of Desire: Keys to the Pleasures of Love
Resnick, S. Body-to-Body Intimacy: Transformation Through Love, Sex, and Neurobiol
Keesling, B. Sexual Healing: The Completest Guide to Overcoming Common Sexual Problems
Schnarch, D. Intimacy and Desire: Awaken the Passion in Your Marriage by Schnarch
Blakeway, J. Sex Again: Recharging Your Libido
Siegal, S. Your Brain on Sex: How Smarter Sex Can Change Your Life
Snyder, S. Love Worth Making: How to Have Ridiculously Great Sex in a Long-Lasting Relationship
Strgar, W. Sex That Works: An Intimate Guide to Awakening Your Erotic Life
Firestone, Firestone et al. Sex and Love in Intimate Relationships
Mondin, F. Erotic. Erotic Love and Marriage: Improving Your Sex Life and Emotional Connection

Sex Illustrated

Bastyra, J. & Lacroix, N. The Good Sex Bible: The Ultimate Guide to Sexual Attraction, Lovemaking
Rinna, L. & Kerner, I. The Big, Fun, Sexy Sex Book
Harwick, A. The New Sex Bible for Women: The Complete Guide to Sexual Self-Awareness and Intimacy
Hooper, A. The Ultimate Sex Book

Sex and Aging

Price, J. Better Than I Ever Expected: A Book Celebrating Older Life Sex

Sex for Vagina-havers

Orenstein, P. Girls & Sex: Navigating the Complicated New Landscape
Nagoski, E. Come As You Are: Revised and Updated
McCarthy, B. & McCarthy, E. Finding Your Sexual Voice: Celebrating Female Sexuality
Ogden, G. Return of Desire A Guide to Rediscovering Your Sexual Passion
Goldstein, A. & Brandon, M. Reclaiming Desire: 4 Keys to Finding Your Lost Libido
Blakeway, J. Sex Again: Recharging Your Libido
Sheehy, G. Sex and the Seasoned Woman: Pursuing the Passionate Life
Riedl, M. Yoni Massage: Awakening Female Sexual Energy
Meston, C. & Buss, D. Why Women Have Sex: Women Reveal the Truth About Their Sex Lives, from Adventure to Revenge
Daedone, N. Slow Sex: The Art and Craft of the Female Orgasm
Foley, S., Kope, S., et al. Sex Matters for Women: A Complete Guide to Taking Care of Your Sexual Self
Barbach, L. For Yourself: The Fulfillment of Female Sexuality
Dodson, B. Sex for One: The Joy of Selfloving
Ladas, A., Whipple, B., et al. The G Spot: And Other Discoveries about Human Sexuality

Sex for Penis-havers

Orenstein, P. Amazon.com: Boys & Sex: Young Men on Hookups, Love, Porn, Consent, and Navigating the New Masculinity
Morgentaler, A. The Truth About Men and Sex: Intimate Secrets from the Doctor’s Office
Riedl, M. & Becker, J. Lingam Massage: Awakening Male Sexual Energy
Metz, M. & McCarthy, B. Coping with Erectile Dysfunction: How to Regain Confidence and Enjoy Great Sex
Metz, M. & McCarthy, B. Coping With Premature Ejaculation: How to Overcome PE, Please Your Partner & Have Great Sex
Kaplan, H. S. How to Overcome Premature Ejaculation

Painful Sex

Coady, D. & Fish, N. Healing Painful Sex: A Woman’s Guide to Confronting, Diagnosing, and Treating Sexual Pain
Prendergast, S. & Akincilar. Pelvic Pain Explained: What You Need to Know
Bilheimer & Echenberg. Secret Suffering: Women’s Sexual and Pelvic Pain, and the Effect on Their Relationships
Herrera, I. Ending Female Pain, A Woman’s Manual, Expanded 2nd Edition: The Ultimate Self-Help Guide for Women Suffering From Chronic Pelvic and Sexual Pain

Sex and Illness

Katz, A. Woman, Cancer, Sex
Katz, A. Man, Cancer, Sex
Katz, A. Breaking the Silence on Cancer and Sexuality: A Handbook for Healthcare Providers
Katz, A. Sex When You’re Sick: Reclaiming Sexual Health after Illness or Injury
Guntupalli, S. & Karinch, M. Sex and Cancer: Intimacy, Romance, and Love after Diagnosis and Treatment

Sex and Spirituality

Sellers, T. S. Sex, God, and the Conservative Church:
Klein, L. Pure: Inside the Evangelical Movement That Shamed a Generation of Young Women and How I Broke Free
Roberts, M. Beyond Shame: Creating a Healthy Sex Life on Your Own Terms
Ellens, J. H. Sex in the Bible: A New Consideration
Ellens, J. H. The Spirituality of Sex
Hirsch, D. Redeeming Sex: Naked Conversations About Sexuality and Spirituality
Bishop, C. Sex and Spirit (Living Wisdom Series)
Mirdad, M. An Introduction to Tantra and Sacred Sexuality
Anand, M. The Art of Sexual Magic by Margot Anand
Chia, M. Taoist Secrets of Love: Cultivating Male Sexual Energy
Chia, M. Healing Love Through the Tao: Cultivating Female Sexual Energy
Towler, S. The Tao of Intimacy and Ecstasy: Realizing the Promise of Spiritual Union
Mondin, F. Erotic Love and Marriage: Improving Your Sex Life and Emotional Connection

Consensual Non-Monogamy

Hardy, J. & Easton, D. The Ethical Slut, Third Edition: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms in Sex and Love
Aaron, M. Modern Sexuality : The Truth about Sex and Relationships
Veaux, F. & Rickert, E. More Than Two: A Practical Guide to Ethical Polyamory
Orion, R. A Therapist’s Guide to Consensual Nonmonogamy: Polyamory, Swinging, and Open Marriage
Taormino, T. Opening Up: A Guide To Creating and Sustaining Open Relationships
Loree, K. Open Deeply: A Guide to Building Conscious, Compassionate Open Relationships
Kauppi, M. Polyamory: A Clinical Toolkit for Therapists (and Their Clients)

Sex and Kink

Makai, M. Domination & Submission: The BDSM Relationship Handbook, 2nd Ed
Harris, S. Tongue Tied: Untangling Communication in Sex, Kink, and Relationships
Taormino, T. The Ultimate Guide to Kink: BDSM, Role Play and the Erotic Edge

Sex and Queerness

Schwartz & Murrain. Conscious Lesbian Dating & Love: A Roadmap to Finding the Right Partner and Creating the Relationship of Your Dreams
Corwin, G. Sexual Intimacy for Women: A Guide for Same-Sex Couples
Eriksen, T. Unconditional: A Guide to Loving and Supporting Your LGBTQ Child
Gainsburg, J. The Savvy Ally: A Guide for Becoming a Skilled LGBTQ+ Advocates
Erickson-Schroth, L. Trans Bodies, Trans Selves: A Resource for the Transgender Community

Overcoming Sexual Shame

Trauma and Healing

van der Kolk, B. The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma
Levine, P. In an Unspoken Voice: How the Body Releases Trauma and Restores Goodness
Levine, P. Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma
Harris, R. Trauma-Focused ACT: A Practitioner’s Guide to Working with Mind, Body, and Emotion Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Dana, D. The Polyvagal Theory in Therapy: Engaging the Rhythm of Regulation (Norton Series on Interpersonal Neurobiology)
Macfarlane, E. The Sacred Path Beyond Trauma: Reaching the Divine Through Nature’s Healing Symbols
Naparstek, B. Invisible Heroes: Survivors of Trauma and How They Heal
Richmaon, H. Reclaiming Pleasure: A Sex Positive Guide for Moving Past Sexual Trauma and Living a Passionate Life

Reach Out to Us!

Ready to take the first step towards a more authentic life? Our experienced sex therapists are here to support you. Don’t wait any longer to prioritize your sexual wellness and happiness—we’re here to help you every step of the way.