Michael E. Metz, Ph.D.

ABOUT

MICHAEL E. METZ, PhD

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click here for Brief Biography.

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As a CLINICIAN, Dr. Metz is a psychologist, marital & sex therapist, and marriage counselor treating individuals and couples in private practice in Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN. He is dual licenced in Minnesota as both a psychologist (LP) and marriage & family therapist (LMFT).

He earned his PhD with distinction from the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and for 12 years, Dr. Metz served on the faculty of the University of Minnesota Medical School, Department of Family Practice & Community Health, and directed the clinical marital & sex therapy program. He currently is in independent private clinical practice, Meta Associates, Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN.

He is a major spokesperson for a comprehensive, integrated "biopsychosocial" approach (attention to comprehensive medical, psychological, and interpersonal features) to addressing and resolving relationship conflict and sexual problems.

As a clinician he has worked with more than 6,000 individuals and couples for a variety of individual and relationship problems including depression, anxiety, relationship conflict resolution, intimacy deficits, sex dysfunction, compulsive sexual behavior, infidelity, adapting to chronic medical problems (e.g., cancer) and stages of life.

Dr. Metz is a member of several professional organizations including, the American Psychological Association (APA), American Association for Marital and Family Therapy (AAMFT), Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT), the Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality (SSSS), and the Society for Sex Therapy and Research (SSTAR).

He has been awarded the Minnesota Association for Marriage and Family Therapy’s “Lifetime Distinguished Service” award, as well as two “Distinguished Service” Awards from the Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality. He is also a member of the relationship positive professional network -- Marriage Friendly Therapists.

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As a TEACHER, Dr. Metz has taught advanced level courses at the Univeristy of Minnesota's Medical School (Minneapolis), the Department of Family Social Science, the College of Liberal Studies, and the Graduate School; and lectured and led workshops at institutions such as the Mayo Clinic, McGill University (Montreal), and the University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia).

He regularly makes presentations to universities and clnical consultation groups, as well as numerous community, church and synagogue, and special interest groups (e.g., American Cancer Society prostate cancer recovery groups, the RESOLVE infertility support program, and marriage enrichment programs).

He also presents professional improvement workshops with professional clinical staff, at professional societies, professional continuing education (CE) workshops, all-day workshops under the sponsorships of Health-ED, as well as teaches international workshops such as in the recent past in Acapulco, Mexico; Vancouver, Canada; Havana, Cuba; San Juan, PR; Caracas, Venezuela; and Montreal, Canada.

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As a WRITER, he has authored more than 60 professional articles and book chapters in the areas of couple intimacy, relationship confict styles, sexual health, sexual medicine, and cognitive-behavioral features of satisfying relationships. For a list of these, click on "publications.".

Metz is the author of 6 books, 4 books for men, women, and couples with Barry McCarthy.  For book details, click on the underlined title.

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Enduring Desire: Your Guide to Lifelong Intimacy

"Enduring Desire: Your guide to Lifelong Intimacy" has been given the Amerian Association of Sex Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT) 2011 AASECT BEST BOOK AWARD, May 30, 2001, San Diego.

Publisher's note: In Enduring Desire, authors Michael Metz and Barry McCarthy inspire and motivate readers with real-life examples and clear, helpful individual and couple exercises to reach for realistic and high quality sexual satisfaction as a couple. Throughout the book, they promote positive, realistic sexual expectations without commercialism and the exotic promises of hype that set people up for disappointment. The message is down-to-earth and full of joy for all couples, from their 20s to their 80s. They advocate the variable, flexible “Good Enough Sex” (GES) model which integrates relationship intimacy and eroticism; examine the biopsychosocial, multidimensional, and comprehensive roles, functions, and meanings of couple sexuality; and validate the inherent variability and flexibility of couple sexuality. Exercises include the 5 kinds of intimate touch, regular sex as the "intimacy blender", relationship and sexual playfulness, and working as an intimate team for conflict resolution. This book describes how to have real sex in real life that is optimal, lasting, and enduring.

Enduring Desire --> Recommendations

“No hype, no bromides—just loads of practical and inspiring strategies for having a life-long, satisfying sexual relationship. I can’t think of a better guide for couples young and old. Read it together, use it, and give it to couples starting their journey together.”

—William J. Doherty, PhD, Professor of Family Social Science, University of Minnesota; author, Take Back Your Marriage

 

“Metz and McCarthy have written the best book available on enhancing and maintaining sexual desire and intimacy in long term relationships. They present a realistic understanding of what contributes to quality intimacy and long term sexual satisfaction. Recognizing that sexuality resides in a relationship, Enduring Desire takes a biopsychosocial approach, which appreciates the major components of sexual biology, personal and relationship psychology, as well as social and cultural influences on the couple, their attitudes and behaviors. Through real life examples and inviting reader’s self examination, Metz & McCarthy introduce the reader to the value of the ‘Good Enough Sex’ model, rather than the goal-oriented, perfect intercourse model that leads so many couples to frustration. This is book is a gift to everyone seeking a better and enduring level of sexual and personal intimacy.”

—Julian Slowinski, PsyD, ABPP, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, School of Medicine; Senior Clinical Psychologist, Pennsylvania Hospital; Co-author, The Sexual Male, The Good Sex Guide 

 

“A realistic and refreshing look at creating and maintaining a satisfying sex life across the ages. Metz and McCarthy challenge the mythical sexual beliefs of incessant and unrelenting sexual desire that pervade our culture, and instead offer honest and unbiased tips for setting realistic expectations and fostering healthy sexual scripts. With their over 70 years of combined clinical expertise as sex therapists, the authors created a book which is a must-read for sex therapists and educators, and anyone in a long-term relationship.”

—Lori A. Brotto, PhD, R Psych, Assistant Professor, University of British Columbia, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology

 

“Metz and McCarthy’s concept of ‘good enough sex,’ as emphasized in their newest book, Enduring Desire, offers a superb model of expectation management for professional and public audiences alike. I would recommend this book to my patients, colleagues, and students without hesitation.”

—Michael A. Perelman, PhD, President, Society for Sex Therapy and Research; Clinical Associate Professor, Psychiatry, Reproductive Medicine and Urology, NY Weill Cornell Medical Center

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Photo (below) of Metz having some fun "posing" at a book signing at a Routledge/Taylor & Francis Publication table at a recent conference.

Metz MSH

 

Coping With Erectile Dysfunction was awarded the 2007 SSTAR Best Book award by the Society for Sex Therapy and Research.

Metz Receives 2007 SSTAR Award

Dr. Richard Carroll (left) presents the 2007 SSTAR Society's Best Consumer Sexual Health Book crystal award to Dr. Michael E. Metz (right) for his book, Coping with Erectile Dysfunction, Atlanta Georgia.

 

 

  • The Styles of Conflict Inventory --> a clinical assessment instrument to evaluate the conflict patterns in intimate relationships (Consulting Psycholgist Press, 1993).

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Dr. Metz is on the Board of Consulting Editors for the International Journal of Sexual Health, a sexual health consultant to the World Psychiatric Association (WPA), the Asian Journal of Andrology, and formerly a Consulting Editor, Journal of Sex Education and Therapy.

Among his professional awards are the Minnesota Association for Marriage and Family Therapy’s “Lifetime Distinguished Service” award; the Minnesota State Board of Marriage & Family Therapy’s “Distinguished Service” award, as well as two “Distinguished Service” Awards from the Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality.

He is a professional member of:

  • American Psychological Association (APA)
  • American Association for Marital & Family Therapy (AAMFT)
  • Society for Sex Therapy & Research (SSTAR)
  • The International Academy of Sex Research (IASR)
  • Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT) (formerly AABT)
  • American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT)
  • Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality (SSSS)

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