ODW What Every Therapist Needs to Know & Ask with Kathyrn Hall and Suzanne Iasenza

Led by Kathryn Hall, PhD and Suzanne Iasenza, PhD

This is an On Demand Webinar. Access information, resources and CEU information will be sent to you shortly after registration and registrants will be given unlimited access to the recording for a full year.

This webinar was broadcasted live on Tuesday, November 16, 2021

Sexuality is so intricately linked to all other aspects of a person’s life that its separation from the treatment of a person’s psychological distress or relationship issues defies logic. The exclusion of sexuality often reflects discomfort or inexperience on the part of the therapist rather than an informed clinical decision. Indeed, the designation of “sex therapy” as a specialty may have discouraged therapists from incorporating inquiry and interventions regarding sexuality into their treatment practice. And while, in the past, patients and clients may have felt reluctant to talk about sex or explore their sexual issues in general therapy, this is no longer the case. 

The interventions that form the core of sex therapy are in fact those that are integral to all forms of successful psychotherapy. Building upon a strong therapeutic alliance, therapists help clients confront their anxieties and fears, challenge their avoidance behaviors, and build healthier relationships. What is unique about sex therapy is that both the treatment goals and methods are sexual. 

Using clinical case material involving both individuals and couples, participants will learn how to inquire about sexuality throughout the therapeutic process. While information about patients’ sexuality does not equate with a need for intervention, participants will learn if, when, how, and most importantly, why to incorporate sexuality into the goals and process of ongoing psychotherapy. 

At the conclusion of the workshop, attendees will be better able to—

• Identify when to ask questions about sexuality in ongoing assessment and treatment situations
• Frame questions about sexuality so as to be appropriate to the patient and therapeutic context.
• Distinguish between resistance and reluctance when discussing sexual concerns in therapy
• Identify treatment goals with respect to sexuality
• Formulate treatment interventions that are appropriate to the patient and therapeutic context.
• Create a therapeutic environment that is safe and non-judgmental with regards to exploring sexual issues.

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:

• Marriage and Family Therapists
• Clinical and Counselling Psychologists
• Psychiatric Social Workers
• Pastoral Counsellors
• Psychotherapists
• Psychiatrists
• Physicians
• Nurse Practitioners
• Occupational Therapists
• Counsellors
• Graduate Students in Accredited Programs in the Above Fields
• case managers
• 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