Somatic Sex Therapy: Using psychophysiology to create new opportunities for pleasure, communication and connection (4 CE Hours, 2021)

Course Description: Sex is almost always a physical act, so why would we not use the body as a resource for better understanding our clients’ experiences? This course draws on many of the main principles in somatic psychology including polyvagal theory, attachment theory, narrative and art therapy, the Braddock Body Process, integrative trauma and PTSD therapies, and the instructors own research into embodied healing for survivors of sexual trauma. It will address somatic memory and holding, as well as ways to reframe and replace dysfunctional psychosomatic patterns with integrated alternatives.

Understanding how the brain and body work together—not focusing on one over the other—informs effective somatic sex therapy interventions. Somatic techniques are most often used as an addition to, rather than a replace for, traditional sex therapy methodology, and inherently offer titrated pacing and client-lead initiatives. Utilizing somatic sex therapy moves clients toward states of embodiment and empowerment, which creates an ideal foundation for holistic sexual health.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand the principle theories applied to somatic sex therapy
2. Describe three clinical examples of how somatic sex therapy can benefit clients
3. Explain what is meant by embodiment and empowerment through a somatic sex therapy lens
4. Discuss and explain integrated healing and holistic sexual health

Schedule:

30 min: Introductions

1 hr: PowerPoint presentation (with handouts) including somatic psychology theories and methods as applied to sex therapy

15-minute break

30 min: Watch somatic psychology videos and discuss applications for sex therapy

30 min: Two clinical examples with instructor/student dyad with observer discussion

15 min: Break

45 min : Work in triads to discover clinical applications and implications for somatic sex therapy

15 min: Closing comments and Q & A