Integrating Sexual Interventions into Couples Therapy (8 CE Hours, 2024)

Course Description:

The traditional model of sexual problems was that sex was a symptom of an individual or couple problem. The belief was that once the core problem was resolved that sexuality would easily become functional and satisfying. In reality, sexuality is complex-multi-causal, multi-dimensional, with large individual, couple, cultural, and value differences. In most cases increasing intimacy and communication does not improve sexual desire and function. In fact, in some cases it increases the sexual problem because there is so much focus on intimacy and mutuality that the couple “de-eroticize” each other and their relationship. The challenge for couples, married or partnered, straight or gay, is how to integrate intimacy and eroticism. Sexual problems need to be addressed directly by recognizing that the new sexual mantra is desire/pleasure/eroticism/satisfaction. Rather than hoping for a bio-medical stand-alone intervention, a comprehensive couple psychobiosocial approach is utilized for assessment and treatment. Challenge the cultural expectation  of perfect, predictable sex. Embrace the Good Enough Sex (GES) model which emphasizes the value of variable, flexible couple sexuality, acknowledging the value of both synchronous and asynchronous sexual experiences. A motivating, empowering learning is that the couple’s sexual style is usually different than their relational style. The couple sexual style balances each partner’s autonomy (“sexual voice”) with being an intimate sexual team who create the right fit  for intimacy and eroticism. A crucial concept is the need for an individualized relapse prevention plan to maintain and generalize sexual gains.

Learning Objectives:

• Explain the four-session assessment model for understanding sexual problems.

• Describe a comprehensive couple psychobiosocial model for assessment and treatment.

• Describe how to assign and monitor psychosexual skill exercises to build sexual comfort and confidence.

• Discuss a new model to make genuine meaning of affairs and focus interventions to rebond the relationship or move toward a good divorce.

• Create an individualized relapse prevention plan to reinforce desire/pleasure/eroticism/satisfaction

Speaker Bio:

Barry W. McCarthy, PhD, ABPP, is a board certified clinical psychologist (ABPP), certified marital and sex therapist, and a tenured professor of psychology at American University. His clinical expertise focused on integrating sex therapy strategies and techniques into individual and couple therapy, assessment and treatment of the most common male and female sexual problems, and a special expertise in the treatment of sexual desire disorders.

Dr. McCarthy earned his BA from Loyola University and his MA and PhD from Southern Illinois University. His professional memberships include the American Psychological Association, American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy, Society for Sex Therapy and Research, and Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies. He is a Diplomate in sex therapy earning this from the American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors, and Therapists. As a leading expert in this field, Dr. McCarthy has presented over 350 workshops around the world, and his extensive list of publications includes over 100 professional articles, 26 book chapters, and co-authorship of 14 books, including Rekindling Desire (2nd edition), Sexual Awareness (5th edition), Enduring Desire, Discovering Your Couple Sexual Style, Men’s Sexual Health, Coping with Erectile Dysfunction, Getting It Right the First Time, and Coping with Premature Ejaculation.