10 Fast Facts About Sex Therapy Training for Therapists
I can sum up my experience of teaching my first sex therapy intensive training in one word: Exhilarating!
But that doesn’t tell you anything about why I felt like I was floating after I finished the second weekend of the training.
I thought I’d give you 10 fast facts about the sex therapy training so that if you missed the first one, you might be enticed to join me for the next training beginning May 2, 2014.
1.Participants almost universally praised the training for being immediately useful in their practice. They could take the knowledge they gained and apply it as soon as they saw their next sex therapy client.
2.The limited size of the training made it intimate and fun. We had 12 people, but from now on I want to limit it to just 10 so that we can move more flexibly into pairs and small groups, plus watch films in the classroom.
3.We had fascinating discussions, like one about the nature of infidelity. Therapists and counselors came from many schools of thought, so we tangled a bit on why affairs happen and, more importantly, how to help couples after the breech of trust.
4.Breaks were a great time for socializing and networking, and even exchanging information about other high quality training or supervision. All while eating great food like a taco bar or all-organic ingredient pizza.
5.We covered a ton of ground, everything from sexual development to sexual problems that interfere with creating a pregnancy.
6.I presented countless cases to illustrate how clients might really present sexual problems in treatment and related how I treated them. I even shared unsuccessful cases, including my thoughts about why they were unsuccessful.
7.Participants felt encouraged to share how they approached treatment of certain cases. For example, one participant recounted how they used group therapy for treatment of out of control sexual behavior.
8.People were generous with one another and gave each other support as most were on the path to AASECT certification. I spent a lunch hour covering certification requirements, and answered other questions, another way I could be of service to those attending.
9.Since people came from other cities, learned how sex therapy varies in different parts of the country. In some areas it is embraced and welcome, in other places it is considered with caution.
10.Last but not least, I learned a lot from attendees. I can see that I need to do more of a mini SAR at the beginning of class to check in with people about how they feel talking about topics of a sexual nature. I need to spend more time teaching about gender and orientation, the core of sexual identity.