Practical Applications of Mindful Intimacy (4 CE Hours, 2024)

Course Description:

Practical Applications of Mindful Intimacy is a support for clinicians with or without mindfulness experience. This four-hour course bolsters clinicians’ support for clients struggling with relationship or seeking deeper connection with themselves and others, and how that connection can liberate their sexual and relational functioning and satisfaction.

Learning Objectives:

Upon completion participants should be able to:

• Discuss the overlapping distinction between sex and intimacy
• Describe and offer two mindful intimacy practices for clients
• Describe the concept of internal consent
• Discuss how to address obstacles to intimacy

Activity Schedule:

INTRODUCTION – 10 min

• brief history of what brings me to this work
• Consideration of participant diversity/safe space

WORKING DEFINITIONS – 20 min

DEFINE MINDFULNESS:

• Various practices: Focused Attn, Open Awareness & Loving Kindness
• Brief experiential of each practice

DEFINE INTIMACY:

• Invite definitions and association
• G. Jones definition
  • Intersectionality with sexuality

SELF-INTIMACY 30 min

• What is it, and why is it essential in relationship
• INTEROCEPTION
• INTERNAL CONSENT
• Experiential Exercise

QUESTIONS 10 min

RELATIONAL INTIMACY 25 min:

• Relational Mindfulness Exercise Guidelines
  • Dyadic Experiential (if permitted)

Clinical application: Working w/ partners

RELATIONAL CONFLICT

• Self-compassion
• Breath and interoception

QUESTIONS 15 min

BREAK 15 min.

MINDFULNESS AND SEXUAL WELLNESS – 20 min

• Precipitating Factors
• Safety (more in Obstacles)
• Sensate focus partner description (lifting agenda and reciprocity)
  • MB/solo practice description incl. through restorative yoga
• Research of correlation between Mindfulness & Sexual Functioning

SOCIO-CULTURAL FACTORS – 15 min

• Respect and consideration of possible cultural factors, including racialized individuals, queer culture, kink/proclivities, belief systems, neurodivergence etc.

OBSTACLES TO INTIMACY AND SEX – 40 min

• Trauma
• Addictions and Co-morbidity
• Family of Origin [ Ken Adams, Kelly Mc Daniels ]
• Valid spectrum of desire and identifications
• Medical issues

FINAL EXPERIENTIAL 20 min

QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS: 20 min.

Presenter Bio:

Following a career as a performer and in youth education, Giselle achieved her Masters of Social Welfare at UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs, and now serves as a private practice psychotherapist for general issues as well as sex therapy and sex/love addiction. Her passion for creativity and social justice has led her to work with children and families in South LA, individuals, couples and groups at The Center For Healthy Sex, and to train NYPD recruits and UCLA medical students to sensitively serve people struggling with a range of issues. Giselle served as the first Director of Education for the renown youth literacy program, Get Lit, guiding students and teachers through the curriculum marrying classical poetry and spoken word. A 200-hour level certified Hatha Yoga Instructor, Giselle is incredibly drawn to integrate mind-body wellness. She received her Certification in Mindfulness Facilitation at UCLA through the MARC Institute, and often lectures or mentors for their associated programs. Giselle enjoys implementing mindfulness practices in her therapeutic work, has taught at various studios and libraries, contributed to various podcasts, and conducted workshops, webinars and other trainings for diverse populations, including graduate students, teachers, nurses, legal volunteers and her fellow psychotherapists.