Understanding and Treating Sexual/Genital Pain (4 CE hours)

Description

Sexual/genital pain (dyspareunia) is incredibly common. In fact, one of the most common causes of chronic sexual pain – vulvodynia – is as common as high blood pressure and migraine headaches. Despite being so common, most sexual health clinicians do not receive training to understand and treat vulvodynia and other forms of chronic sexual pain. The goal of this training is to help psychotherapists understand and treat dyspareunia (with a particular focus on vulvodynia) in their clients. Topics covered with include the most common causes; 3 concrete things to explain to clients with chronic pain that are helpful in lowering their distress and in motivating them to become actively involved in their own treatment; specific examples of how to present this information in ways that are easy for clients to understand; and assessment and evidence-based techniques for treating sexual pain and helping clients to reintegrate sexual activities, alone and with partners, into their lives.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of this workshop, participants will be able to:

• Describe the most common causes of chronic sexual pain;

• Acquire knowledge of 3 concrete things to explain to clients with chronic pain that are helpful in lowering their distress and in motivating them to become actively involved in their own treatment;

• Provide specific examples of how to present this information in a way that is easy for patients to understand; and

• Identify evidence-based interventions for managing and overcoming sexual pain and for helping clients reintegrate sexual activities into their lives.

Schedule:

First 2 Hours: Understanding vulvodynia and other common causes of chronic sexual pain. How to explain pain to clients in ways that are helpful in lowering their distress and increasing treatment motivation.

Latter 2 Hours: Assessment & evidence-based interventions for managing and overcoming sexual pain and helping clients reintegrate sexual activities into their lives.

Speaker Bio:

Dr. Carolin Klein is a sex therapist and Registered Psychologist. She is co-founder and co-director of the West Coast Centre for Sex Therapy in Vancouver, Canada. Prior to opening the West Coast Centre for Sex Therapy, she served as Director of the Multidisciplinary Vulvodynia Program at Vancouver Hospital. Her clinical work involves assisting individuals, couples, and other partnership configurations to build and strengthen sexual and relational intimacy; overcome sexual shame, pain, and anxiety; and bring more joy and curiosity into sexuality. She regularly provides workshops and presentations to the general public designed to provide accurate information and challenge unhelpful ideas about sexuality, overcome sexual shame, and increase sexual awareness, comfort, and pleasure. She is also involved in training graduate students and other professionals in evidence-based sex therapy. She is a Development Officer on the board of the Society for Sex Therapy and Research and sits on the medical advisory board for the Lichen Sclerosus Support Network.