The Women on My Couch: More Stories of Sex, Love and Psychotherapy

by Brandy Engler

The Women on My Couch is a collection short stories about the sexual choices women face. Dr. Brandy Engler, psychologist and sex therapist, allows readers access into the therapy room to witness how women are handling dilemmas such as: a husband’s proposal for a threesome, post- wedding disappointment, a new lover’s unusual kink, the temptation to cheat, love vs. singlehood, using sex work to pay for college loans and the ubiquitous loss of sexual desire.

The Women on My Couch gives women a voice, and helps them find their voice, in a rapidly changing culture, where freedom is both liberating and confusing, exhilarating and at times disappointing. Women will see their lives mirrored back to them with honesty, warmth and humor.

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction

202 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 1, 2015

About the author

Dr. Brandy Engler is a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in relationships and sexuality. After year of training and practice in New York City--including working with a crisis team on the streets of Brooklyn, and her own private practice in Times Square- she headed West in search of greener pastures. Los Angeles isn't quite green, it's a bit dustier than imagined, but Dr. Engler traded in her metro card for a car and is enjoying road trips across California, where she's discovered many pastures, lakes, and mountains and.... a husband.

Dr. Engler has a private practice in Los Angeles and is currently finishing her second book.

Reviews

[Eric Stratton · Rating 5 out of 5]

On average I read zero books per year and was not overly thrilled when my therapist recommended it as "homework"; I read it in two days. I anticipated it would be a "self-help" book; it is anything but, while still being helpful. I have never felt the need to thank a stranger for something he or she has written, but Dr. Engler's book is the exception. I was surprised at how great of a read it was, while still being therapeutic. Dr. Engler gives a great first person account of helping patients with their struggles in love, life, and sex. As a man I found myself empathizing ( both good and bad) with each patient on some level. As a patient it is easy to forget that therapists deal with the same issues we do. As she helps those struggling with love, It is interesting to read about her own personal struggles. It is interesting to get a therapist's view from across the couch.

[Dya R · Rating 4 out of 5]

As soon as I hear of a psychotherapy book full with real-life cases, I put it on my "must read books" and I can gladly say that this one was a good choice.
I really enjoyed it,
though, I would've enjoyed it even more if there had been even more case related details than the author's personal stuff and various readings.

I kind of lost interest when I got to the Postscript, because there were no cases involved anymore, but the notes were still interesting to read through.

[Vince · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book just as much as "The Men On My Couch." It's a fascinating read providing a ton of insight for both sexes. As a male, I learned a lot about relationship dynamics from the female point of view. Excellent book!

[Aristidis Marousas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Insightful Read

This was a very insightful read into feminine sexuality. I very much enjoyed The Men on My Couch as was glad that the author wrote this second novel focusing on her female patients. I think there are a lot of learnings from both books on human sexuality and how much we and society get in the way of our full and healthy expression.

[Betsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved Engler's previous book, The Men on My Couch: True Stories of Sex, Love and Psychotherapy, and bought this book eagerly anticipating the deep and hidden stories based on real life therapy patients. Sex was - and is still, really - a taboo subject. It is something that most people experience, but it can be such a highly intimate and personal experience, that those private moments are rarely shared. I was intrigued.

As interesting as the first book was, I was excited that Engler included research in this book. Even though the book did read like a condensed version of a thesis paper, it was cool to learn about the psychology behind the advice given in the therapy office. Honestly, I'd have read even more about the history of women and sex, and how society largely plays a role in how women are treated behind closed doors.

Things that I didn't love as much:
I wish that there had been more stories, or more depth to the stories written. The Men on Couch prequel focused heavily on each individual, and gave great insight into how the author helped each man through sessions. There also seemed to be more stories in the first book than in this book, and each story seemed to go into more detail.
I also wish there had been more LGBTQ +/ people of color / diversity represented. While I realize that the author can only write about patients that have actually attended her sessions, I wish a wider pool of experiences had been added to the book.

I'm glad that I stumbled my way to this author while playing Supermarket Sweep with random books on random shelves in my local library (it's a fun game- you get to read so many different genres this way!) When her next book comes out, you can bet I'll be racing to the shelves to read the next one Engler comes out with.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Real-life psychotherapy cases, a deep dive into female sexuality. Not as good as "The Men on My Couch", but still very good.

[Candace Smith-Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was a huge fan of her first book & I love this one too. Women's sexuality is so demonized in American culture it's difficult for women to have meaningful relationships with men or women. I love how dr engler equates sexual dysfunction to a search for love. I love the ending of the book "don't let others tell the story of who you are...what do you want to Express, feel or be? Go forth and put that out in the world and support other women in their expressions." I personally believe all anxiety is a symptom of sexual repression cause there's not a more relaxing moment than after a good orgasm.