How to Do Mindful Sex: Understanding Mindfulness and how to use it to help clients with sexual dysfunction 2022 (4 CE Hours)

Learning Objectives:

1. Explain the science of mindfulness-based therapy in the treatment of low desire and provoked vestibulodynia
2. Demonstrate mindfulness exercises that are part of a structured mindful sex program
3. Describe how to use the 3-stage Inquiry as a means of helping clients connect the relevance of mindfulness to their own sex lives.

 Agenda:

2 – 2:30

Overview of what is mindfulness

–       Definition

–       Evolution

–       Efficacy in common populations

–       Why did we apply mindfulness to sexual difficulties?

2:30 – 2:50

Mindfulness for cancer survivors

Impact of cancer on the sexual response cycle

2:50 – 3:45

Body Scan and Inquiry

Non-judgment

Aversion and attachment

3:45 – 4:15

Mindfulness for low sexual desire

4:15 – 4:35

Working with Difficulty

4:20 – 4:50

Sexual Sensations awareness practice

Pleasurable Touch practice

4:50 – 5:15

Mindfulness for Provoked Vestibulodynia

Provoking a Mild Pain practice

5:15 – 5:30

Other Considerations

–       Sensate focus

–       Mindfulness in relationships

–       Mindfulness for situational ED

–       Treatment manuals

5:30 – 5:40

Online options for delivering mindful sex

5:40 – 6pm

Q&A

Speaker Bio:

Lori A. Brotto, PhD, R Psych is the Executive Director of the Women’s Health Research Institute at BC Women’s Hospital and Health Centre. Dr. Brotto is a Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, with a Joint Appointment in the Department of Psychiatry. She holds a Canada Research Chair in Women’s Sexual Health. Her program of research focuses on women’s sexual health, and includes randomized controlled trials of psychological interventions (such as mindfulness and cognitive behavioural therapy) to address low desire in women and chronic genital pain (vulvodynia). She has a strong interest in quality of life among survivors, and has been involved in a number of studies to address sexual health among cancer survivors. To that end, she is a member of the Gynecologic Cancer Collaborative Cluster, lead by Dr. Gavin Stuart. Her CFI-funded research lab is located at Vancouver Hospital and is equipped with sexual psychophysiological measures, an eye tracker, and infrastructure to support salivary hormone collections. She also collaborates on studies exploring asexuality, culture and sexuality, and most recently, digital technologies to deliver women’s sexual health programs.