Sex Work and Female Self-Empowerment

by Stephanie Hunter Jones PhD

Prior research has tended to mirror popular representations of the female sex worker as a morally flawed individual and a victim of circumstances beyond her control. Sex Work and Female Self-Empowerment presents a fresh perspective on "the world’s oldest profession" by considering the relationship between sex work and female self-empowerment from a variety of disciplinary and practical perspectives and presenting new data derived from the author’s study of six self-employed indoor female sex workers (IFSWs). Informed by the author’s training in clinical psychology and human sexuality studies and her more than fifteen years of involvement in the sex work profession, this book extends beyond social stereotyping and stigmatization and presents a more balanced view of the identities and aspirations of sex workers in contemporary society.

82 pages, Hardcover

Published April 25, 2016

About the author

Dr. Stephanie Hunter Jones is a Clinical Sexologist and Amazon Best Selling Author. She holds a PhD in Human Sexuality, a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology, and is a Certified Sex Coach. Her work bridges psychology, sexuality, creativity, and healing, offering a holistic and trauma-informed approach to personal transformation.
As an author, Dr. Stephanie explores the emotional and psychological complexities of human sexuality through both academic and educational writing. Her academic work, Sex Work and Female Self-Empowerment (Routledge, 2015), examines critical conversations surrounding gender, agency, and sexual identity.
She is also the author of a growing Sex Education book series. The first book, To Label or Not to Label: That Is the Question! (2024), helps readers navigate the evolving landscape of sexual identities. The second, Beyond the Costume: Finding Love and Emotional Healing Through Cosplay (2025), explores how imagination, roleplay, and creative expression can support emotional healing and self-acceptance. Her third book, A Child Safety and Predator Awareness Activity Storybook: Helping Kids Recognize Red Flags, Stay Safe, and Speak Up as True Superheroes (2026), teaches young readers how to recognize danger, protect themselves, and find the courage to speak up.
In addition to her clinical and writing work, Dr. Stephanie is also an inspirational video and short-film creator. She transforms her original art, poetry, and storytelling into visually rich films that invite viewers into symbolic and mythic spaces of reflection, healing, and empowerment.
Blending her work as a clinician, educator, artist, and storyteller, Dr. Stephanie is devoted to helping people reconnect with their voice, their creativity, and their inner strength.