Sexual Fantasies with Michael Bader and Suzanne Iasenza

Led by Michael Bader, DMH and Suzanne Iasenza, PhD

This is a 3 hour On Demand Webinar. Access information, resources and CEU information will be available immediately after successful registration and registrants will be given unlimited access to the recording for a full year.

This webinar was broadcasted live on Wednesday, November 10, 2021

Sexual fantasies can provide clinicians with a window into the workings of the mind. In this webinar, we’ll use a psychoanalytical theoretical model developed by Joseph Weiss, M.D. and the San Francisco Psychotherapy Research Group. We’ll use this model to explore various ways sexual fantasies are constructed by minds that are singularly committed to safety.

Sexual excitement is inhibited by certain pathogenic beliefs connected to feelings of guilt, shame, and helplessness. Sexual fantasies enable us to disconfirm these beliefs and, as a result, safely allow sexual arousal to emerge.

Therapists can use the details of a patient’s sexual fantasies to infer a great deal about their core pathogenic beliefs. Together, we will delve into and analyze a range of sexual fantasies from ordinary to bizarre. These include sadomasochistic scenarios, exhibitionistic fantasies, and group sex fantasies.

At the end of this workshop, attendees will be able to—

• Describe the central role of pathogenic beliefs and psychological safety in human psychology and, in particular, in the formation of sexual fantasies.
• Discuss examples of how particular sexual fantasies and preferences function to disconfirm feelings of guilt and how others function to undo or transcend feelings of shame, rejection, and helplessness.
• Analyze and interpret the meaning of advertising images in terms of their ability to elicit sexual interest.
• Explain how the “normal” development of masculinity and femininity in our culture predispose each gender to particular pathogenic beliefs and sexual fantasies

This training offers 3 hours of direct contact (not counting breaks or lunch). It is the participant’s responsibility to check with their individual state boards/regulatory body to verify CE requirements for their license to practice.

For Attendees of On Demand/Recorded Version

If you cannot verify 100% attendance of the Live Broadcast or if you are watching the On Demand/recorded version of this webinar, you will need to complete a Post-Webinar Quiz with a pass of at least 80% in order to verify your attendance. 

For Canadian and International participants

Upon fulfillment of the above requirements, Canadian and international participants will be issued a Certificate of Participation which features:

• Name of Participant
• Title of Training
• Name of Presenter plus their credentials
• Number of hours of training
• Date of training
• Confirmation that you have passed a quiz with at least 80% grade to verify your attendance

Please check carefully with your regulating body/organization that this certificate is sufficient proof for you to claim CEUs.

For general information about Continuing Education for Canadians and International participants, please click here.  

This training is aimed at all mental health professionals including:

• social workers
• counsellors
• psychologists
• psychiatrists
• medical professionals supporting mental health patients
• psychotherapists
• mental health counsellors
• marriage and family therapists and counsellors
• occupational therapists
• vocational rehabilitation therapists
• addiction counsellors
• religious counsellors
• therapists
• case managers
• art therapists
• licensed professional counsellors
• all other professionals who would like to develop, update or expand their skills and knowledge in mental health practices

What level of knowledge the attendee should have in this topic?
– Intermediate/Advanced