The Ace In The Hole: Working With Asexualities (2 CE Hours)

Course Description:

This course is designed for any mental healthcare professional who wants to enhance their understanding of asexualities within and beyond their professional context. By integrating queer principles and asexual perspectives, this course provides a framework for understanding and working with asexualities. The course begins with a foundational framework for thinking about sexualities and moves through an exploration of key concepts. A pivotal concept that is explored is the idea of compulsory sexuality and the ways in which this impacts the experience of desire and sexuality in society. By centering our knowledge around the asexual experience, the course normalises a diversity of identities and experiences, particularly concerning assumptions about sex. Working with asexualities in this way allows us to identify and unlearn biases and recognise the role of compulsory sexuality in the production of apparent ‘pathology’. The course offers suggestions for ways in which this lens can be used meaningfully in psychosexual and relationship therapy with various clients. Working with asexualities allows us to center consent and intentionality in relationships and invites us to expand our imagination about what relating can look like.

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

• Define asexualit(ies)
• Describe the difference between attraction, arousal and desire, and explain why these distinctions matter
• Describe the inherent diversity of asexualities in identities, play, relationships

Activity Schedule:

0:00–0:10: Welcome and Introduction to (A)sexualities

Overview of key concepts, webinar goals, and foundational terminology.

0:10–0:25: Language, Power, and Compulsory Sexuality

Discussion of how language, social norms, and assumptions shape understandings of sexuality and asexuality.

0:25–0:45: Centering Asexualities: Ace Experiences

Exploration of lived experiences, identity development, diversity within ace communities, and common misconceptions.

0:45–1:00: Lessons from the Aces

Clinical and relational insights that can be learned from ace perspectives, including consent, desire, intimacy, and relational negotiation.

1:00–1:20: Implications for Clinical Work

Application of ace-affirming frameworks to assessment, case conceptualization, and therapeutic practice.

1:20–1:45: Asexualities in Psychosexual and Relationship Therapy

Considerations for working with individuals, couples, and relational systems, including desire discrepancies, mixed-orientation relationships, and sexual expectations.

1:45–2:00: Summary, Key Takeaways, and Conclusion

Review of major themes, clinical implications, and final reflections.

Speaker Bio:

Chant Malan (they/them) is a clinical sexologist, counselling psychologist and the Gauteng Chairperson of the Southern African Sexual Health Association (SASHA). They have a special interest in queer sexual health, neurodiversity, and relational and erotic diversity. Chant’s approach to therapy is intersectional, and they aim to create a safe, affirming and playful environment for a diverse spectrum of identities and life experiences.

Chant has a Masters in Counselling Psychology, a Masters in Political and International Studies, and a Diploma in Clinical Sexology and Relationship Therapy through the Contemporary Institute of Clinical Sexology in the UK. Their academic background means that Chant came into Psychology from a social justice context. They are passionate about education and advocacy and run workshops for healthcare providers and have presented their work at conferences internationally.

Chant proudly identifies as a coffee-loving (sex) nerd. They live in Johannesburg with their three fur-children, an ever-growing pile of books and a herb garden in constant need of revival.

Website: www.chantmalan.com

Instagram: @chantmalanpsychology

Class originally recorded: 5/15/2026.

Social workers completing this course receive 2 cultural competence continuing education credits.