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
Communication
Dating Intentionally
- Solomon, A. Loving Bravely: 20 Lessons of Self-discovery to Help You Get the Love You Want
- Steele, D. Conscious Dating: Finding the Love of Your Life & the Life That You Love
- Schwartz & Murrain. Conscious Lesbian Dating & Love: A Roadmap to Finding the Right Partner and Creating the Relationship of Your Dreams
Relationships and Couples
- Real, T. Us: Getting Past You and Me to Build a More Loving Relationship
- Solomon & Tatkin. Love and War in Intimate Relationships: Connection, Disconnection, and Mutual Regulation in Couple Therapy (Norton Series on Interpersonal Neurobiology
- Hendricks, G. & K. Conscious Loving: The Journey to Co-Commitment
- Hendricks, G & K. Conscious Loving Ever After: How to Create Thriving Relationships at Midlife and Beyond
- Scott, S. & Davenport, B. Mindful Relationship Habits: 25 Practices for Couples to Enhance Intimacy, Nurture Closeness, and Grow a Deeper Connection
- Richo, D. How to Be an Adult in Relationships: The Five Keys to Mindful Loving
- Gottman, J. & Silver, N. The Love Prescription: Seven Days to More Intimacy, Connection, and Joy
- Hendrix, H. & Hunt, H. Getting the Love You Want: A Guide for Couples
- Johnson, S. The Hold Me Tight Workbook: A Couple’s Guide for a Lifetime of Love
- Kusi, M. & A. Questions for Couples: 469 Thought-Provoking Conversation Starters for Connecting, Building Trust, and Rekindling Intimacy
Infidelity and Affairs
- Perel, E. The State of Affairs: Rethinking Infidelity
- Skinner, K. Treating Trauma from Sexual Betrayal: The Essential Tools for Healing
- Gardner, A. Healing from Infidelity: How to Recover from the Heartbreak Caused by Your Partner’s Affair, Rebuild Trust and Save Your Relationship
- Johnson, M. Rebuilding Trust: Guided Therapy Techniques and Activities to Restore Love, Trust, and Intimacy in Your Relationship
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
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
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
- Roberts, M. Beyond Shame: Creating a Healthy Sex Life on Your Own Terms
- DeYoung, P. Understanding and Treating Chronic Shame: A Relational/Neurobiological Approach
- Ashley, P. Shame-Informed Therapy: Treatment Strategies to Overcome Core Shame and Reconstruct the Authentic Self
- Brown, B. Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead
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.
