BDSM & Kink

What exactly does the term "kink" refer to? While the acronym BDSM (bondage, discipline, dominance, submission, sadism, masochism) may give us some more specific ideas, "kink" is a broad umbrella term that can be loosely defined as unconventional sexual practices. In this course, participants will deepen their awareness of these "unconventional" ways of being sexual, sensual, intimate, and/or erotic, whether the focus is on power, sensation, imagined roles/scenarios, sexualized objects/clothing, or something else entirely. The course will cover such sub-topics (no pun intended) as consent, safety, differentiating kink from abuse, negotiating a scene (for everyone from first time kink explorers to experienced kinksters), the kink community, and self of therapist considerations. This course meets criteria for Core Knowledge Content Area: F.

Desire & Desire Discrepancies

Desire discrepancies are one of the most common reasons that clients report seeking out sex therapy, and even when desire issues are not the immediate presenting problem, desire discrepancies are often present and contributing to relational distress. Additionally, myths and misunderstandings about desire are abundant in media and public discourse. These factors combined make this subject an essential area of learning for any couples/sex therapist. In this course, students will learn to conceptualize desire problems as normal, developmental, relational, and dynamic, and will build skills and strategies for working with clients around desire. This course meets criteria for Core Knowledge Content Area: E, I, M.

Developmental Sexuality: Adolescence

From the womb until end-of-life, our sexuality never stops evolving and changing. The courses in the Developmental Sexuality Series look not only at the biological and physical aspects of sexual development, but also relational, spiritual, and emotional dimensions. Students will examine how each area of development affects the others in ways that either encourage or impede further growth. In this course, students will learn about development through adolescence, beginning with puberty and moving into early adulthood. Participants will discuss ways that clinicans can help families support adolescent sexual exploration and experimentation while maintaining a focus on safety and healty, including conversation about the role of social media and the internet as a space that can be powerfully positive and significantly risky. This course meets criteria for Core Knowledge Content Area: B.

Developmental Sexuality: Sex & Aging

From the womb until end-of-life, our sexuality never stops evolving and changing. The courses in the Developmental Sexuality Series look not only at the biological and physical aspects of sexual development, but also relational, spiritual, and emotional dimensions. Students will examine how each area of development affects the others in ways that either encourage or impede further growth. In this course, students will learn about development from the years of later adulthood through the end of life. Students will consider both the accumulated sadness and unique strength and resiliency older adults often bring to sex therapy. The role of ageism and ableism will also be discussed, including an examination of how care providers, adult children, and communities such as nursing homes, assisted living facilities, etc. can be helpful or harmful towards the continuing sexual expression of older adults. This course meets criteria for Core Knowledge Content Area: B, E, I.

Erotic Fantasy

While sexual behaviors, relationships, and lived experiences are often the focus of sex therapy, the shape that sexuality takes in our thoughts and imagination is just as important and powerful. In this course, participants will consider the role of erotic fantasy as a source of self exploration, healing, connection, and pleasure. Discussions will explore what the literature has to say about the function of erotic fantasy, fantasy content and core erotic themes, and how therapeutic conversations about fantasy can provide pathways to growth for individuals and couples alike. This course meets criteria for Core Knowledge Content Area: E, F, M.

Health & Medical Factors

Although anxiety can account for the vast majority of sexual dysfunction, the medical or biological origins of sexual difficulties cannot be understated. As clinicians, it is imperative to have knowledge of the major biological contributors and an understanding of the impact of disease, illness, surgery, and medications on the sexual functioning of the individual. This course meets criteria for Core Knowledge Content Area: G, H, I.

Intersections of Race & Sexuality

In this course, participants will explore connections between how racial narratives (one's own and society's) and experiences (positive and negative) impact sexual identity, expression, and relationships. Clinical applications will be highlighted through case studies and discussion. This course meets criteria for Core Knowledge Content Area: C.

Learning Theory & Its Applications

Each of us learns in a different way, or do we? Talking about sex confronts a person's spiritual, moral, and personal positioning. Understanding ways of effectively delivering information in order to maximize the storage and integration of the content, especially in sex therapy, is crucially and ethically important to the success of treatment and the overall arc of the therapeutic process. We can empower our clients with information, or cause overwhelm. This course helps clinicians navigate that landscape. This course meets criteria for Core Knowledge Content Area: N.

Paraphilia

"Paraphilic disorders" describe disorders of atypical sexual interest as defined by the DSM-5. This course explores the sexual interests and behaviors that make up the focus of these diagnoses, as well as the diagnostic criteria. Participants will be challenged to consider the potential impacts of diagnosing sexual interests and behaviors, including exploration of clinical utility, legal/ethical considerations, dynamics of power and privilege, and assessment of consent and harm. This course meets criteria for Core Knowledge Content Area: J.

Pornography & Masturbation

In this course, participants will consider both the potential risks/harms and the potential benefits of pornography in modern culture and in sex therapy. Discussions will cover individuals' and couples' relationships to porn, discussion of feminist porn, and the evolution of pornography throughout the decades. This course will also explore the connection we have with our bodies and sexuality via masturbation or self touch, including the consequences of a lack of exploration of self touch in childhood, the multitude of reasons that shame has been such a major contributor to individuals' relationships to masturbation, and the healing and therapeutic qualities of self touch. This course meets criteria for Core Knowledge Content Area: B, I.

Queer Theory

In this course, participants will be invited to consider sexuality and gender from a sociocultural perspective, examining the myriad ways in which cis/heteronormativity creates and shapes conceptions of "normal" and "deviant". Through this lens, participants will deepen understandings of how the dominant sociocultural narrative of cis/heteronormativity does not only negatively affect those who it marginalizes, but all members of society. Central to this course is discussion of the intersections of queer theory, critical race theory, and crip theory. This course meets criteria for Core Knowledge Content Area: D.

Sex & Technology

Each year, the role that technology plays in our lives evolves. As new innovations, advancements, and trends emerge, we as clinicians must remain curious to the ways technology influences our sexual and relational lives. In this course, participants will discuss intersections of sex and technology, considering when technology might facilitate healing, connection, and opportunity and when it might invite challenge and risk. Discussion topics will include, among others: sexting, social media, virtual sex work platforms, pornography, teledildonics, and sex robots. This course meets criteria for Core Knowledge Content Area: K.

Sex Toys

Sex toys are devices can be used simply for fun or to enhance sensation and erotic experience, but for some they are a necessity in their route to pleasure. It is our obligation as therapists to stay informed and up to date with the latest in the wide variety of sex toys on the market. This course explores the vast world of sex toys as well as their usefulness with sexual difficulties. This course meets criteria for Core Knowledge Content Area: M.

Sexual Anatomy

While sex therapists are certainly not expected to be medical providers, the value of a working knowledge of sexual anatomy cannot be understated. With a foundational understanding of the internal and external anatomy of the genitals, sex therapists are equipped to provide empowering sexual education, normalize client experiences, ask informed questions about sexual functioning, advocate for or with clients effectively when collaborating with medical providers, and more. In this course, participants will gain some introductory level knowledge about the structure and function of the genitals, including intersex conditions and gender affirming surgeries. This course meets criteria for Core Knowledge Content Area: G.

Sexual Trauma

Any degree of sexual trauma can serve to undermine a sense of safety in yourself, your body, your relationships, your sexuality, and the world. The body can become a dangerous place to live, and therefore sex can become confusing or scary, or both. Healing is a process of taking back your needs and desires, learning to articulate and exercise consent on their behalf, and reclaiming your body and sexuality as yours. This course dives into the intricacies of work with sexual trauma, including the introduction of a somatic (body/sensory awareness) approach to treatment. This course meets criteria for Core Knowledge Content Area: E, H, J.

Sexuality & Spirituality

In this inclusive, across-religions course, participants will explore the intersections between sex and the human sense of spirituality, whether that is one or more gods, "the divine", the universe, magic, or any other way of describing a sense of something more and unknowable. Discussions will consider how clinicians might talk with clients about spirituality, whether client and therapist share a religious identity/affiliation or not, as well as self of therapist considerations when engaging clients around this topic. This course meets criteria for Core Knowledge Content Area: C.

Substance Use & Sexuality

Substance use can have a profound impact on one's relationship to their body and bodily sensations. This course looks at the consequences, both short- and long-term, of substance use on one's sexuality and sexual functioning, as well as examining the implications for more positive treatment modalities for therapeutic substance abuse treatment that does not exclude sexuality. This course meets criteria for Core Knowledge Content Area: L.

Working with Queer Youth & Families

This course will consider the developmental experiences and unique needs of queer youth coming of age in a predominantly cis/heteronormative society. Strategies for family therapy that encourages support, affirmation, and connection will be explored, as well as family risk factors. Participants will discuss strengths and challenges of different therapeutic modalities and approaches using clinical case examples. This course meets criteria for Core Knowledge Content Area: D.

Consensual Non-Monogamy

In our culture, monogamous, dyadic partnerships are often depicted as the norm and ideal for relationship, but these types of partnerships have never been the only relational possibility. Polyamory and other forms of consensually non-monogamous relationships have always existed, offer much meaning and fulfillment to those who embrace them, and are increasingly showing up in both the media and in the therapy room. Whether a pair or group of polyamorous partners comes in to work on relational dynamics in their current structure, or a historically monogamous couples comes in desiring to open things up, it is crucial for therapists to have some basic skills for working successfully with these clients. In this course, students will explore such topics as differentiation, negotiation, agreements, boundaries, jealousy, and self of the therapist issues. This course meets criteria for Core Knowledge Content Area: F, E.

Developmental Sexuality: Childhood

From the womb until end-of-life, our sexuality never stops evolving and changing. The courses in the Developmental Sexuality Series look not only at the biological and physical aspects of sexual development, but also relational, spiritual, and emotional dimensions. Students will examine how each area of development affects the others in ways that either encourage or impede further growth. In this course, students will learn about development from birth to puberty. The role of adult anxiety surrounding children's sexual behaviors will also be discussed, including how clinicians can help parents and caregivers understand when their child's sexual behaviors are normal and when they may have a reason for concern. This course meets criteria for Core Knowledge Content Area: B.

Developmental Sexuality: Adulthood

Disability & Sexuality

Sex is so much more than penetration, and yet, as a society we seems to have a very narrow script for what sex is and should be. We believe that a more expansive definition of sex, including a much more lengthy menu of pleasurable sexual behaviors, in necessary and beneficial in working with people of all physical and mental abilities. This course teaches students ways in which we can work with our clients to rewrite their sexual scripts, introduce new or different routes to pleasure, accomodate potential physical factors and obstacles, and move individuals toward the sex they desire. This course meets criteria for Core Knowledge Content Area: B, C, H.

Ethics in Sex Therapy

No clinician makes the transition from classroom to therapy room without developing an understanding of professional ethics. Even so, when moving into the realm of sex and sexuality (a topic that many folks come to with misinformation, biases, closely held values and beliefs, and lots of vulnerability), a return to the topic of ethics can be critically important. In this course, participants will explore ethical perspectives for the practice of sex therapy, including an examination of unintended consequences, consideration of the Other, and the AASECT Code of Ethics. This course meets criteria for Core Knowledge Content Area: A.

History of the Discipline of Sex Therapy

Sex Therapy has known many major players, from Freud to Kinsey to Masters and Johnson. This course tracks the evolution of the field as well as looking at the pioneers of sex therapy and their contributions to the practice as it exists today. Participants will also consider historical events, advancements in technology and medicine, and other forms of innovation that have influenced how we understand and express our sexual selves. Full of fun media and interesting facts, this course is sure to be much more interesting than your high school history class. This course meets criteria for Core Knowledge Content Area: P.

Intimacy

This discussion-heavy course explores the meanings we assign to the word "intimacy", as well as the desires and expectations we have for intimacy in our relationships. The lecture portion of class will cover such topics as validation, pursue/distance dynamics, differentiation, and boundaries. Break out rooms will be utilitized to provide participants with opportunities to collaborate, self reflect, and apply concepts to a couples sex therapy case. This course meets criteria for Core Knowledge Content Area: E, M.

Liberation & Anti-Oppressive Care

Through exploration of the triangle of domination (colonialism, capitalism, and white supremacy) this course investigates oppressive normativity as a barrier to optimal sexuality and wellbeing. The presentation will examine cultural narratives of sexuality and gender while drawing from a metatheory of liberation psychology, queer theory, crip theory and settler colonialism. This critical analysis of cis/heteronormativity illuminates its function in preserving the cultural/sexual ideology that supports the creation and maintenance of systems of domination and oppression. Specific focus will include connecting this larger cultural analysis with the individual/relational level to provide a critical foundation and anti-oppressive lens for implementing clinical care and interventions. This course meets criteria for Core Knowledge Content Area: D, C.

Pedophilia

This course introduces students the vast array of theory and perspectives concerning the development and/or origins of pedophilia. The course exposes students to voices from those who have been outspoken around pedophilia, both those within the community, and those who advocate for a new approach to therapeutic treatment. Treatment modalities, their controversy and evolution, are explored at length. This course meets criteria for Core Knowledge Content Area: J.

Pregnancy & Sex

As we know, pregnancy brings about a plethora of major changes to the body and mind. These changes can often be found to either help or hinder desire and the vitality of the sexual relationship in the couple. This course looks at the biological and attachment-based reasons for the fluctuation of desire that can be experienced during and just post-pregnancy as well as how to approach treatment and the restoration and/or maintenance of the sexual connection. This course meets criteria for Core Knowledge Content Area: B, G, H.

Range of Sexual Functioning

Society has often given us very rigid guidelines for what represents healthy sexual functioning, and many of these guidelines confuse play for performance. This course examines the vast array of sexual play and representations of healthy sexual functioning alongside sexual dysfunction (such as rapid ejaculation and sexual pain). This course will be focused on pleasure and play as a central concept in the enactment of sexual activity. This course meets criteria for Core Knowledge Content Area: G, H, I.

Sex Research

Providing good, ethical care requires that sex therapists stay up-to-date on the available scientific data and literature, but knowing how to effectively utilize this data and literature requires that clinicians understand how to think critically about the research we consume. In this course, participants will learn what makes research "scientific", as well as what types of methodologies are utilized by researchers who study sex and sexuality. Participants will also be invited to consider what challenges and limitations sex researchers face and how these challenges and limitations impact what topics are studied and how. This course meets criteria for Core Knowledge Content Area: Q.

Sexual Abuse and Exploitation

This course takes an in-depth look at the argument for and against the decriminalization of sex work, breaking down the different categories that exist under this umbrella, and looking to understand the feminist perspectives relative to this field. Sex trafficking is differentiated from sex work, with current facts and stats regarding its prevalence examined in detail alongside analysis of some of the major implications of treatment with those who have been victimized. This course meets criteria for Core Knowledge Content Area: J.

Sexual Compulsivity

This course looks at the relationship between anxiety and out of control sexual behaviors, as well as addressing the complex origins of such behaviors and the functioning the behavior may serve in the life of the individual. Implications for treatment are examined at length, using recent research and contemporary sex therapy practice. Participants will explore the terminology of "sex addiction", including AASECT's position statement on "sex addiction" and why this language is considered problematic when working with clients around distressing sexual urges, thoughts, and/or behaviors. This course meets criteria for Core Knowledge Content Area: E, I.

Sexuality & Couples Therapy

Couples make up an enormous percentage of the client population presenting for sex therapy. Additionally, while individuals can and do present for sex therapy with self-focused goals, it is also extremely common for individuals to present for sex therapy with goals related to a partner/relationship. Therefore, it is absolutely essential that sex therapists are trained to work relationally. Systems theory and relational therapy approaches represent a paradigmatic shift from individual therapy models. In this course, participants will be introduced to systems theory, develop ways of conceptualizing couples' interactional patterns, learn to see problems through a relational lens, and more. Case examples and discussions will be utilized throughout. This course meets criteria for Core Knowledge Content Area: E.

Sexuality, Christian Normativity, & Purity Culture

From walking through a store during the month of December to listening in on many of the political speeches and debates about what's best for our country and citizens, examples of the dominance and normativity of Christianity in the United States abound. In this course, participants will consider how beliefs, rules, and moral messaging from Christianity have become woven into the fabric of U.S. culture, in particular impacting beliefs and values around sexuality. This perspective explores how Christian normativity functions as a system, separate from the religious beliefs and practices of individuals. The course will take an especially close look at intersections between Christian normativity and cis/heteronormativity, examining messaging around how gender should be expressed, who we should partner with, and how we should behave sexually. Importantly, participants will consider how clinicians might unpack these ideas with Christian clients in ways that are empowering and do not disrespect or devalue their religious beliefs. This course meets criteria for Core Knowledge Content Area: C.

Transgender & Non-Binary Erotic Embodiment

In this course, participants will develop a systemic understanding of the challenges faced by transgender and non-binary folx, including a look at the minority stress model as well as common challenges faced in sex therapy spaces. Clinical skills for working with these challenges will be explored. Some topics covered in this course include safety, desirability politics, embodiment, and more. This course meets criteria for Core Knowledge Content Area: D.