Traumatic experiences, especially sexuality-based traumas, can have a lasting effect on survivors. The effects of trauma are seen in many areas of life – healing often has entailed looking at safety, nervous system regulation, and unpacking the deeply profound emotional impacts that clients experience in their day-to-day lives. In particular, trauma of any kind changes our clients' sense of self, boundaries, and ability to be vulnerable in all relationships, and particularly sexual relationships. Trauma healing must look not only at the completion and integration of traumatic experiences, but moving further into helping clients actively regain their sexual voices and identities. This training is focused specifically on helping clients focus on healing the sexual parts of themselves and learn to not only regain their "no", but their true authentic YES.

In this training, clinicians will develop a deep understanding of trauma, the important role the body plays in the sexual healing process, and learn psychological, emotional, relational, and somatic tools to helping trauma clients reclaim their sexuality beyond their trauma.

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify at least one way that trauma impacts the nervous system

2. Recognize at least five ways trauma affects client’s sex lives.

3. Understand how to help respond to triggers during sexual experiences

4. Explain how embodiment is a core aspect of sexual healing

5. Apply the triphasic model of trauma treatment to sex therapy

6. Recite individual sensate focus as a take-home practice for clients

7. Provide three clinical examples of interventions that can help clients move beyond healing and reclaim sexuality

8. Analyze case studies of individuals and their relationships within the lens of trauma

As this is course is still in beta testing, the learning objectives may slightly change.

PRE-REQUISITES: Foundational understanding of trauma

This program meets the requirements of the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT) and is approved for 7 CE credits. These CE credits may be applied toward AASECT certification and renewal of certification