Peggy Joy Kleinplatz is a Canadian clinical psychologist and sexologist whose work often concerns optimal sexuality, opposition to the medicalization of human sexuality, and outreach to marginalized groups.Alexander, Brian (May 22, 2008). What's 'normal' sex? Shrinks seek definition. MSNBC She is a full professor of medicine and clinical professor of psychology at the University of Ottawa.

Education Peggy Joy Kleinplatz graduated from the University of Ottawa with a B.A. (Honours) in Psychology in 1981 and Ph.D. in 1987. Her dissertation was titled The impact of gender-role identity, conformity and choice on women's self-esteem, lifestyle satisfaction and conflict. Kleinplatz's doctoral advisor was Michael McCarrey.

Career Kleinplatz is a certified clinical psychologist and sex therapist who has taught human sexuality for over 20 years at the University of Ottawa. She is a full professor in the Department of Medicine, a clinical professor of psychology at the University of Ottawa, with cross-appointments in the Faculty of Education and School of Epidemiology and Public Health. She is also Adjunct Research Professor at Carleton University.Laurance, Jeremy (July 9, 2008). The new sexual revolution. The Independent Kleinplatz has held the Chair of Ethics and the Chair of Certifications for the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counsellors and Therapists (AASECT).

Kleinplatz and physician Charles Allen Moser argue that paraphilias should be removed from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). Kleinplatz wrote, "[T]he DSM criteria for diagnosis of unusual sexual interests as pathological rests on a series of unproven and more importantly, untested assumptions."Moser C, Kleinplatz PJ (2005). DSM-IV-TR and the paraphilias: An argument for removal. In Dan Karasic and Jack Drescher (Eds.) Sexual and gender diagnoses of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM): a reevaluation. Haworth Press, Therapists who focus on "functional" versus "dysfunctional" sex, have an approach, she writes that "is, at best, limiting and constraining and, at worst, dehumanising and risks exacerbating rather than alleviating suffering." Kleinplatz criticized sex therapy as being "too performance oriented," and not focusing enough on desire. Her work has been to focus more on ways that partners can please one another by learning to listen to what their partners want. Kleinplatz has shown that "great sex flourishes in relationships that deepen with maturity," according to the Globe and Mail. She has also criticized the concepts premenstrual dysphoric disorderOffman A, Kleinplatz PJ (2004). Does PMDD Belong in the DSM? Challenging the Medicalization of Women's Bodies. The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, Vol. 13 and dyspareunia as medicalizing women's bodies.Kleinplatz PJ (2005). Adding insult to injury: The classification of dyspareunia as a sexual dysfunction in the DSM. Archives of Sexual Behavior, Volume 34, Number 1 / February, 2005

Her book, New Directions in Sex Therapy: Innovations and Alternatives (2001), was considered by the Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy to be an important challenge to current models of sex therapy. The book is also a feminist critique of sex therapy and describes modern issues facing the practice. The second edition, updated and expanded, came out in 2012 with a 3rd edition is forthcoming from Routledge in September 2024. New Directions in Sex Therapy (2nd edition) was a co-winner for an AASECT award in 2013. Her book, Sadomasochism:Powerful Pleasures (2006), examines fifteen in-depth cases of different types of couples who practices sadomasochism.

Awards and honors Kleinplatz was awarded the Prix d'Excellence at the University of Ottawa in 2000. In 2015, she was awarded the Professional Standard of Excellence Award from the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT) for her contributions to the field.

Selected works

Books

Reviews of Sadomasochism:

Reviews of Sexuality and Ageing:

References

External links Peggy Kleinplatz via University of Ottawa AASECT interview