Carol Queen, Ph.D., author of Exhibitionism for the Shy
"What a compassionate and useful little book. . . . It will benefit any couple ready to take the next step."

Richard Labonte, Book Marks, Q-Syndicate
"This lovely book is not so much a rigid how-to manual as it is a gently persuasive here's-how book."

Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon, co-authors of Lesbian/Woman
"Renate Stendhal's unique words of wisdom are wonderful, and have an important mesage for everyone."

Merryl A. Sloane, GreatSexSecretDesires.com
"...contains a passionate message in a deceptively small package. Full of gentle wisdom, insight, encouragement, and, most important, hope."

Alix Dobkin, singer/songwriter
"Tracking honest relationships, Stendhal's beautiful volume almost made me wish for one myself. I'll keep it handy, should the occasionarise."

Book Description
In True Secrets (formerly titled Love's Learning Place) writer and psychotherapist Renate Stendhal debunks "lesbian bed death" — the myth that women in long-term lesbian relationships stop having sex. Stendhal — the lesbian Dr. Ruth — argues that intimacy and passion can unite with long-lasting erotic power, but only to the degree that couples become comfortable telling the truth about their sexual and emotional desires and feelings. Stendhal draws from her own therapy practice and uses four case-study lesbian couples to demonstrate how she counsels them to articulate their sexual desires, infantile fantasies, old fears, and present needs. In a gentle, personal, and emotionally honest tone, she gives sound advice on how to rekindle erotic fire with one’s lover.

About the Author
Renate Stendhal, M.A. is a Lambda award-winning writer, a psychological counselor and coach. Born in Germany, she spent half of her adult life in Paris, the other half in Berkeley, California. She works with couples and individuals in private practice, in Berkeley and San Francisco. The books she published include Sex and Other Sacred Games (with Kim Chernin, Times Books, 1984) and Love´s Learning Place (EdgeWork Books, 2002).

FROM THE PUBLISHER

In True Secrets (formerly titled Love's Learning Place) writer and psychotherapist Renate Stendhal debunks ￯﾿ﾽlesbian bed death￯﾿ﾽ ￯﾿ﾽ the myth that women in long-term lesbian relationships stop having sex. Stendhal ￯﾿ﾽ the lesbian Dr. Ruth ￯﾿ﾽ argues that intimacy and passion can unite with long-lasting erotic power, but only to the degree that couples become comfortable telling the truth about their sexual and emotional desires and feelings. Stendhal draws from her own therapy practice and uses four case-study lesbian couples to demonstrate how she counsels them to articulate their sexual desires, infantile fantasies, old fears, and present needs. In a gentle, personal, and emotionally honest tone, she gives sound advice on how to rekindle erotic fire with one￯﾿ﾽs lover.

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

Carol Queen

What a compassionate and useful little book, so full of heart and good sense. Renate Stendhal brings to her work deep understanding about intimacy that will benefit any couple ready to take the next step in love and passion. — Ph.D., author of Exhibitionism for the Sky

Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon

Renate Stendhal's unique words of wisdom are wonderful, and have an important message for everyone. — co-authors of Lesbian/Woman

Merryl A. Sloane

Renate Stendhal's book contains a passionate message in a deceptively small package. It is full of gentle wisdom, insight, encouragement, and, most important, hope. — GreatSexSecretDesires.com

Alix Dobkin