Charles Moser, PhD, MD
45 Castro Street, Suite 125
San Francisco, CA 94114
415-600-4900 (Office)
415-369-1365 (Fax)
E-mail
Education and Training
- 7/92 – 6/94: St. Mary’s Hospital and Medical Center, San Francisco, CA.
Internal Medicine Residency Program. - 6/91 – 6/92: Mt. Zion – University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA.
Internal Medicine Internship. - 8/87 – 5/91: Hahnemann University, School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA.
M.D. awarded May 1991. - 10/77 – 8/79: Institute for Advanced Study of Human Sexuality, San Francisco, CA.
Ph.D. awarded August 1979. - 9/74 -12/75: University of Washington, School of Social Work, Seattle, WA.
M.S.W. awarded December 1975. - 9/70 – 5/74: State University of New York at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, NY.
B.S. in Physics awarded May 1974.
Relevant Employment History
- 8/20 – Present: Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation, San Francisco, CA.
Sexual Medicine and Internal Medicine Physician - 8/19 – 8/20: Sexual Medicine and Internal Medicine Private Practice, San Francisco, CA
- 8/11 – 8/19: Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation, San Francisco, CA.
Internal Medicine and Sexual Medicine Physician - 6/94 – 7/11: Internal Medicine and Sexual Medicine Private Practice, San Francisco, CA.
- 12/80 – 9/18: Institute for Advanced Study of Human Sexuality, San Francisco, CA.
Professor of Sexology and Chair, Department of Sexual Medicine. - 12/78 – 1/91: Clinical Sexology Private Practice, San Francisco, CA and Woodbury, NJ.
Psychotherapy practice focusing on sexual issues. - 7/80 – 8/84: Criminal Justice Health Services, Contra Costa County, CA.
Designee of the County Mental Health Director to evaluate and treat sex offenders. - 1/77 – 6/78: Kingsboro Psychiatric Center, Brooklyn, NY.
Psychiatric social worker. - 1/76 – 9/76: Central Islip Psychiatric Center, Central Islip, NY.
Psychiatric social worker.
Relevant Awards, Certifications, and Affiliations
- Recipient of the 2021 Race Bannon Advocacy Award, National Coalition for Sexual Freedom
-
Sexual and Gender Revolutionary Award, Program in Human Sexuality, University of Minnesota, 2021
- Certified Provider, Global Education Initiative, World Professional Association for Transgender Health, 2018-present. WPATH GEI SOC8 Certified Member.
- Advisory Board Member, American Psychological Association Division 44 Consensual Non-Monogamy Task Force (2018-present)
- President and Founder, Diverse Sexualities Research and Education Institute (2017-present)
- Awarded the 2015 International Dionysus Award in Sexology by ASEHERT-CİSEATED
- Outstanding Primary Care Physician of 2014, Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation
- Controversies Section, co-editor, Current Sexual Health Reports (2013-present)
- Fellow of the European Committee of Sexual Medicine (FECSM), December 2012
- Recipient of the 2009 SSSS-WR “Outstanding Contributions to Sexual Science” Award
- Member of the Board of Directors (2006-2008), St. James Infirmary, San Francisco
- Sexual Intelligence Award, 2007 – For critiques of the DSM and depathologizing sexual minorities
- Member of the Board of Directors (2001-2003), The Foundation for the Scientific Study of Sexuality
- Editorial Board (1999-2005), San Francisco Medicine
- National Coalition for Sexual Freedom, Advisor to the Board (1998-1999)
- Journal of Psychology and Human Sexuality, Board of Consulting Editors
- The Electronic Journal of Human Sexuality [http://www.ejhs.org/], Editorial Board (1999-2006)
- Member Society of Scientific Study of Sexuality (inactive)
Western Regional Representative (11/85-7/87)
President of the Western Region (11/96-11/97) - Member of the Academy of Certified Social Workers – inactive
- Member of the Board of Directors (1/1/03-12/31/05), San Francisco Medical Society
- Fellow of the American College of Physicians (FACP), elected 4/1/06 – inactive
- Member of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health
- Member of the International Academy of Sex Research
- Board Certified in Internal Medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine (1994-present)
- Board Certified as an HIV Specialist by the American Academy of HIV Medicine (2002-present)
- Board Certified Sexologist by the American College of Sexologists
- Diplomate of the American College of Sexology
- Certified as a Sex Therapist and Sex Educator by AASECT
(American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors and Therapists) – inactive - Full Clinical Member of the Society for Sex Therapy and Research
- Member of the Nominating Committee and listed in Who’s Who in Sexology (1st edition)
- Jane Stuart Prize for Excellence in Clinical Oncology and Radiation Therapy, Awarded 5/31/91
- Certified Social Worker (NY), #018351 – inactive
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker (CA), #LT-6915
- Licensed Physician and Surgeon (CA), #G075487
Bibliography
- Moser, C. (2025). Taking a sex-positive history. In (P. J. Kleinplatz) New Directions in sex therapy: Innovations and alternatives, (3rd Ed., pp.117-134). New York: Routledge. link
- Moser, C. (2023, October 3). Differentiating sexual violence from BDSM. Journal of Sexual Medicine. 20(10):1233-1234. https://doi.org/10.1093/jsxmed/qdad114 link
- Moser, C. & Kleinplatz, P. J. (2023). Foreword. In The power of BDSM: Play, communities, consent in 21st century. (Eds. B. L. Simula, R. Bauer, & L. Wignall), xiii-xv. New York: Oxford University Press. link
- Moser, C. (2023). A response to Bailey and Hsu (2022): It helps if you stop confusing gender dysphoria and transvestism. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 52, 469-471. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-022-02418-0. link
- Cranstoun, L. & Moser, C. (2021). The Paraphilias and medical licensure in the United States. The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 18, 1130-3. link
- Moser, C. (2021). Reflections on a career dedicated to the study of BDSM and diverse sexualities. Sexualities, 24(5-6), 832-838. link
- Jobson, R. (2021). The persistent pathologization of BDSM: An interview with Charles Moser. Sexualities, 24(5-6) 839-844. https://doi.org/10.1177/1363460720961296. link
- Moser, C. & Kleinplatz. P. J. (2020). Conceptualization, History, and Future of the Paraphilias. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 16:379-399. url or pdf
- Kink Clinical Practice Guidelines Project. (2019). Clinical Practice Guidelines for Working with People with Kink Interests. Retrieved from https://www.kinkguidelines.com. link
- Moser, C. & Devereux, M. (2019). The Medical Management of Gender Dysphoric, Gender Fluid, Gender Nonconforming, Gender Queer, Nonbinary, and Transgender Patients: One Clinic’s Approach. Current Sexual Health Reports 11, 421–429. link
- Moser, C. (2019). Sexual Harassment: “I Just Do Not Feel Safe.” Archives of Sexual Behavior, 48(6), 1635-1636. DOI 10.1007/s10508-019-1457-y link
- Moser, C. (2019). DSM-5, Paraphilias, and the Paraphilic Disorders: Confusion Reigns. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 48(3), 681-689. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-018-1356-7. link
- Moser, C. (2018). Paraphilias and the ICD-11: Progress but Still Logically Inconsistent. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 47(4), 825-826. doi.org/10.1007/s10508-017-1141-z. link
- Moser, C. (2017, February 21). Substance use terminology [Letter to the editor]. Journal of the American Medical Association, 312(7), 769. link
- Moser, C. (2017). ICD-11 and gender incongruence: Language is important. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 46, 2515–2516. DOI 10.1007/s10508-016-0936-7. link
- Moser, C. (2016). DSM-5 and the Paraphilic Disorders: Conceptual Issues. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 45(8), 2181-2186. DOI 10.1007/s10508-016-0861-9. link
- Moser, C. & Devereux, M. (2016). Gender neutral pronouns: A modest proposal [Letter to the editor]. International Journal of Transgenderism. Published online 09 Sep 2016. DOI: 10.1080/15532739.2016.1217446. link
- Moser, C. (2016). Defining Sexual Orientation. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 45(3), 505-508. link
- Moser, C. (2015). Accuracy is important – Re: Sensitivity and specificity of the phallometric test for hebephilia [Letter to the Editor]. The Journal of Sexual Medicine. 12(12), 2501. link
- Nerses, M., Kleinplatz, P. J., & Moser, C. (2015). Group therapy with international LGBTQ+ clients at the intersection of multiple minority status. Psychology of Sexualities Review, 6(1), 99-109. link
- Moser C. (2014). Interviewing a patient about intimate partner violence. Virtual Mentor, 16, 872-876. [http://virtualmentor.ama-assn.org/2014/11/ecas1-1411.html] link
- Moser, C. (2014, February 12). Specialists now treating varied sexual problems. San Francisco Chronicle and SFGate.com, pp. D1, D6. link
- Moser, C. (2013). A rejoinder to Carpenter and Krueger: It is about clarity and consistency. Sexual Addiction & Compulsivity: The Journal of Treatment & Prevention, 20:1-2, 63-64. link
- Moser, C. (2013). Hypersexual Disorder: Searching for clarity. Sexual Addiction & Compulsivity: The Journal of Treatment & Prevention, 20:1-2, 48–58. link
- Kleinplatz, P.J., Moser, C., & Lev, A. I. (2013). Sex and Gender Identity Disorders. In I. Weiner (Ed.), G. Stricker & Tom Widiger (Vol. Eds.) Handbook of Psychology: Vol. 8. Clinical Psychology (2nd ed., pp. 171-192). Hoboken: Wiley.
- Moser, C. & Devereux, M. (2012). Sexual medicine, sex therapy, and sexual health care. In P. J. Kleinplatz (Ed.), New Directions in Sex Therapy (2nd ed., pp. 127-139). New York: Routledge. link
- Moser, C. (2011). Yet another paraphilia definition fails. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 40(3), 483-485. link
- Shindel, A. W. & Moser, C. (2011). Why are the Paraphilias mental disorders? The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 8(3), 927-929. link
- Frances, A. & Moser, C. (2011, February 10). Solving the problem of questionable diagnoses grandfathered into DSM. Psychiatric Times, Retrieved February 11, 2011 from here or from Psychology Today here.
- Moser, C. (2011). Hypersexual disorder: Just more muddled thinking. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 40(2), 227-229. link
- Moser, C. (2010). Problems with ascertainment. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 39(6), 1225-1227. link
- Moser, C. (2010). Blanchard’s Autogynephilia Theory: A critique. Journal of Homosexuality, 57(6), 790-809. link
- Moser, C. (2010). A rejoinder to Lawrence (2010): It helps if you compare the correct items [Letter to the Editor]. Journal of Homosexuality, 57(6), 693-696. link
- Moser, C. (2009). So where do we go from here? Archives of Sexual Behavior, 38(6), 1035-1036. link
- Moser, C. (2009). A response to Lawrence’s (2009) Erotic Target Location Errors [Letter to the Editor]. The Journal of Sex Research, 46(5), 383-384. link
- Moser, C. (2009). Autogynephilia in women. Journal of Homosexuality, 56(5), 539-547. link
- Moser, C. (2009). When is an unusual sexual interest a mental disorder? Archives of Sexual Behavior, 38(3), 323-325. link
- Moser, C. (2008, July). The DSM-V and the gender diagnoses. Society for Sex Therapy and Research Newsletter, 25(2), 4-5. link
- Moser, C. (2008). A different perspective. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 37(3), 472-475. link
- Vardi, Y., Wylie, K.R., Moser, C., Assalian, P., Dean, J., & Asscheman, A. (2008). Is physical examination required before prescribing hormones to patients with gender dysphoria? The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 5(1), 21-26.
- Moser, C. (2008). Eroticism. In W.A. Darity, Jr. (Ed.) International Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences, Vol. 2, (2nd ed.). Detroit: Macmillan Reference, 626-627. link
- Moser, C. (2008, January). Op-Ed: The Sexual Rights of Children and Adolescents. Society for Sex Therapy and Research Newsletter, 25(1), 4-5. link
- Moser, C. & Kleinplatz, P.J. (2007). Themes of SM expression. In D. Langdridge & M. Barker (Eds.) Safe, sane & consensual: Contemporary perspectives on sadomasochism. Hampshire, UK: Palgrave Macmillan, 35-54. link
- Kleinplatz, P.J. & Moser, C. (2007). Is SM Pathological? In D. Langdridge & M. Barker (Eds.) Safe, sane & consensual: Contemporary perspectives on sadomasochism. Hampshire, UK: Palgrave Macmillan, 55-62. [This is a reprint of Kleinplatz & Moser (2005), reference below]
- Moser, C. (2006). Demystifying alternative sexual behaviors. Sexuality, Reproduction & Menopause, 4(2), 86-90. link
- Moser, C. & Kleinplatz, P.J. (2006). Introduction: The state of our knowledge on SM. Journal of Homosexuality, 50(2/3), 1-15. link
- Dancer, P.L., Kleinplatz, P.J., & Moser, C. (2006). 24/7 SM slavery. Journal of Homosexuality, 50(2/3), 81-101. link
- Klein, M. & Moser, C. (2006). SM (sadomasochistic) interests as an issue in child custody proceedings. Journal of Homosexuality, 50(2/3), 233-242. link
- Kolmes, K., Stock, W., & Moser, C. (2006). Investigating bias in psychotherapy with BDSM clients. Journal of Homosexuality, 50(2/3), 301-324. link
- Moser, C. & Kleinplatz, P.J. (2005). DSM-IV-TR and the Paraphilias: An argument for removal. Journal of Psychology and Human Sexuality, 17(3/4), 91-109. link
- Kleinplatz, P.J. & Moser, C. (2005). Politics versus science: An addendum and response to Drs. Spitzer and Fink. Journal of Psychology and Human Sexuality, 17(3/4), 135-139. link
- Sisson, K. & Moser, C. (2005). Women who engage in S/M interactions for money: A descriptive study. Lesbian & Gay Psychology Review, 6(3), 209-226. link
- Kleinplatz, P.J. & Moser, C. (2005). Is S/M pathological? Lesbian & Gay Psychology Review, 6(3), 255-260. link
- Moser, C. & Kleinplatz, P.J. (2005). Does heterosexuality belong in the DSM? Lesbian & Gay Psychology Review, 6(3), 261-267. link
- Moser, C. (2005). Introducing Sexual Medicine. [Editorial]. San Francisco Medicine, 78(2), 9, 13. link
- Moser, C. (2005). A brief rationale for NOT Scheduling Viagra and other PDE5 inhibitors as controlled substances. San Francisco Medicine, 78(2), 11-13. link
- Moser, C. (2005). How to ask sex questions during a medical interview. San Francisco Medicine, 78(2), 22-24. link
- Moser, C. (2005). Dyspareunia: Another argument for removal. [Commentary] Archives of Sexual Behavior, 34(1), 44-46. link
- Moser, C. & Kleinplatz, P. J. (2004). El DSM-IV y las parafilias: Un argumento para su retirada. Revista de Terapia Sexual y de Pareja, Número 19, 31-56. [This is a translation of Moser, C. & Kleinplatz, P.J. (2005). DSM-IV-TR and the Paraphilias: An argument for removal, cited above] link
- Sisson, K. & Moser, C. (2004, Book Review). Sex Changes: The Politics of Transgenderism. By Pat Califia. Cleis Press, San Francisco, California, 1997, 307 pp., $16.95. Arch Sex Behav 33, 418–420. link
- Kleinplatz, P.J. & Moser, C. (2004, June). Towards clinical guidelines for working with BDSM clients. Contemporary Sexuality 38(6), 1, 4. link
- Moser, C., Kleinplatz, P.J., Zuccarini, D., & Reiner, W.G. (2004). Situating unusual child and adolescent sexual behaviors in context. In: M. Diamond & A, Yates (Eds.) Child and adolescent psychiatry clinics of North America: Sex and gender issues, 13(3), 569-589. link
- Moser, C. (2003). General medical care of the gender dysphoric* patient. San Francisco Medicine, 76(8). 26-27. link
- Moser, C. (2003). Anti-aging sexual medicine. San Francisco Medicine, 76(2), 20-3. link
- Moser, C. (2002). Are any of the Paraphilias in the DSM mental disorders? Archives of Sexual Behavior, 31(6), 490-491. link
- Moser, C. & Kleinplatz, P.J.(2002). Transvestic fetishism: Psychopathology or iatrogenic artifact? New Jersey Psychologist, 52(2), 16-17. link
- Moser, C. & Hardy, J.W. (2002). Sexual disasters and how to survive them. San Francisco: Greenery Press, 2002.
- Moser, C. (2001). Sexual Medicine: A new medical specialty. San Francisco Medicine 74(7), 26. link
- Moser, C. (2001, March 9). The effect of sildenafil citrate on middle-aged “normal” men. Electronic Journal of Human Sexuality, 4. link
- Moser, C. (2001). Paraphilia: A critique of a confused concept. In P. J. Kleinplatz (Ed.) New directions in sex therapy: Innovations and alternatives (pp. 91-108). Philadelphia: Brunner-Routledge, 91-108. link
- Stock, W. & Moser, C. (2001). Feminist sex therapy in the age of Viagra. In: P. J. Kleinplatz (Ed.) New directions in sex therapy: Innovations and alternatives. Philadelphia: Brunner-Routledge, 139-162 link
- Moser, C. (2001). [Review of the book The Mastery of Submission: Inventions of Masochism]. Isis, 92(2), 430-431. link
- Moser, C. (1999). Health Care Without Shame. San Francisco: Greenery Press. link
- Moser, C. (1999). The psychology of sadomasochism (S/M). In: Wright, S. (Ed.) SM Classics, New York: Masquerade Books, 1999, 47-61. [Reprint of Moser, C. (1989). Sadomasochism. Journal of Social Work and Human Sexuality, 7(1), 43-56.]
- Moser, C. (1998). Treating sexual minority patients. San Francisco Medicine, 71(10), 23-24. link
- Moser, C. (1998). A glossary of terms used by sexual minorities. San Francisco Medicine, 71(10), 25-26. link
- Moser, C. (1998). S/M (sadomasochistic) interactions in semi-public settings. Journal of Homosexuality, 36(2), 19-29. link
- Moser, C. (1997). Combining sex and medicine. In “How I Got Into Sex” (Eds. Bullough, B., Bullough, V., Fithian, M., Hartman, W., & Klein, R.). New York: Prometheus Books.
- Moser, C. (1995). Annals of Internal Medicine, 122,(1), 72-73. [Letter to the editor].
- Moser, C., Lee, J., & Christensen, P. (1993). Nipple piercing: An exploratory-descriptive study. Journal of Psychology and Human Sexuality, 6(2), 51-61. link
- Moser, C. (1993). A response to Goodman’s ‘Sexual Addiction.’ Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy, 19(3), 220-224. link
- Levitt, E., Moser, C., & Jamison, K. (1994). The prevalence and some attributes of females in the sadomasochistic subculture: A second report. Archives of Sexual Behavior 3(4), 465-473. link
- Moser, C. (1992). Lust, lack of desire, and paraphilias: Some thoughts and possible connections. Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy, 18(1), 65-69. link
- Micaily, B., Campbell, O., Moser, C., Vonderheid, E., & Brady, L. (1991, April). Total skin electron beam and total nodal irradiation of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma: An update of the experience at Hahnemann University. International Journal of Radiation Oncology; Biology; Physics, 20:809-13.
- Micaily, B., Moser, C., Vonderheid, E., Koprowski, C., Lightfoot, D., Markoe, A., & Brady, L. (1990, June). The radiation therapy of early stage cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. International Journal of Radiation Oncology; Biology; Physics, 18:1333-9.
- Moser, C. (1989). Sadomasochism. Journal of Social Work and Human Sexuality, 7(1), 43-56. Also published in Dennis Dailey (Ed.), The sexually unusual: Guide to understanding and helping. New York: Haworth Press, Inc. link
- Buffum, J., Moser, C., & Smith, D. (1988). Street drugs and sexual function. In Sitsen, J.M.A., Money, J., and Musaph, H. (Eds.), Handbook of sexology, (Vol. 6, chap. 18): The pharmacology and endocrinology of sexual function. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier Science Publishers B.V., 462-77.
- Moser, C. (1987). Men’s reaction to the absence of orgasm in their partner. Medical Aspects of Human Sexuality, 21(11), 21.
- The Institute for Advanced Study of Human Sexuality (1987). The complete guide to safe sex. Beverly Hills, CA: The PreVenT Group. (Revised 1992, Fort Lee, NJ: Barricade Books Inc.)
- Auerback, S. & Moser, C. (1987, July-August). A group for wives of gay and bisexual men. Social Work, 32:321-5. link
- Moser, C., and Levitt, E. (1987). An exploratory-descriptive study of a sadomasochistically oriented sample. Journal of Sex Research, 23(3), 322-337. link
- Buffum, J. & Moser, C. (1986). The effects of MDMA on human sexual function. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 18(4), 355-9. link
- McIlvenna, R., Pomeroy, W., Haroian, L., Haberle, E., and Moser, C. (1986). Safe sex in the age of AIDS. Secausus: Citadel Press.
- Moser, C. (1985, May). “Safer sex” guidelines. Sexual Well-Being, 1-2. link
- Moser, C. (1985). Effects of cocaine on the menstrual cycle. Medical Aspects of Human Sexuality, 19(4), 9. link
- Smith, D., Apter-Marsh, M., Buffum, J., Moser, C., & Wesson, D. (1984). Socio-sexual issues in the using and recovering alcoholic. Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly, 1(3), 17-31. link
- Weinberg, M.S., Williams, C.J., & Moser, C. (1984). The social constituents of sadomasochism. Social Problems, 31(4), 379-389. link
- Moser, C. (1984, May). Elvis goes to sex therapy: Sex and drugs. Forum, 13(8), 21-22. The Forum Interview: Dr. Charles Moser. (1984, March). Forum, 13(6), 17-20. link
- Moser, C. (1983). A response to Reiss’ “Trouble in Paradise.” Journal of Sex Research, 19(2), 192-5. link
- Smith, D., Moser, C., Wesson, D., Apter, M., Buxton, M, Davison, J., Orgel, M., & Buffum, J. (1982). A clinical guide to the diagnosis and treatment of heroin-related sexual dysfunction. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 14(1-2), 91-99.
- Buffum, J., Smith, D., Moser, C., Apter, M., Buxton, M. & Davison, J. (1981). Drugs and sexual function. In H. Lief (ed.) Sexual problems in medical practice. Chicago: American Medical Association.
- Smith, D., Smith, N., Buxton, M., & Moser, C. (1980). PCP and sexual dysfunction. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 12(3-4), 269-73. link
- Moser, C., McWhirter, D., Golden, J., & Kirkpatrik, M. (1980). Human sexuality: Notes for physicians. Publication of the Board of Medical Quality Assurance, State of California, 1430 Howe Avenue, Sacramento, CA 95825. link
- Moser, C. (1979). An exploratory-descriptive study of a self-defined S/M (sadomasochistic) sample. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Institute for Advanced Study of Human Sexuality, San Francisco, CA.
- McLaughlin, S., Bruden, A., Chen, S., & Moser, C. (1975). Chaotropic anions and the surface potential of bilayer membranes. Biochim Biophys Acta, 394(2), 304-313.
- Srinivasan, S., Solash, J., Redner, A., Moser, C., Farhangian, D., Lucas, T., Ateyeh, E., McCool, C., Weber, D., Puvan, S., Jones, J., & Sawyer, P. (1974). The alteration of surface charge characteristics of the vascular system by oral contraceptive steroids. Contraception, 9(3), 291-303.
Journals Guest Edited
- Kleinplatz, P. & Moser, C. (Guest Eds.) (2006). Journal of Homosexuality, 50(2/3). Also published as, SM: Powerful Pleasures. New York: Harrington Park Press, Inc.
- Moser, C. (Guest Ed.). (2005, March). “Considering Sexuality,” San Francisco Medicine, 78(2).