0409 - Introduction to the Foundations of Sex Therapy

Course Description

Hours: 12

Introduction to the Foundations of Sex Therapy is a two-day intensive professional development training that introduces participants to contemporary psychosexual therapy frameworks, assessment approaches and intervention strategies. Grounded in a bio-psycho-social and relational understanding of sexuality, this course explores how desire, arousal, orgasm, pain, intimacy, shame, culture and relational dynamics shape sexual experiences across the lifespan.

Participants will examine both traditional and alternative sexual response models, including willingness-based, responsive desire and dual-control frameworks, in order to better understand the complexity and variability of human sexuality. The course emphasizes reducing shame, expanding definitions of pleasure and intimacy, and moving beyond narrow performance-based understandings of sex.

Through case-based learning, clinical formulation exercises, and practical intervention planning, participants will develop foundational skills for assessing and responding to common psychosexual concerns, including desire discrepancy, erectile difficulties, orgasm concerns, sexual pain, and ejaculation-related concerns. The training also highlights the role of cultural narratives, attachment, trauma, body image, aging, and relational safety in psychosexual functioning.

This course is designed for helping professionals seeking an introductory, yet clinically grounded, framework for engaging clients in conversations about sexuality with greater confidence, curiosity, and compassion.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Describe foundational concepts and contemporary frameworks used in psychosexual therapy, including bio-psycho-social, relational and contextual approaches to sexual functioning.
• Differentiate between traditional and alternative sexual response models, including linear, willingness-based, responsive desire and dual-control frameworks.
• Analyze how shame, culture, gender norms, relational dynamics, trauma histories and societal narratives influence sexual experiences and sexual distress.
• Apply formulation-based thinking to common psychosexual concerns, including desire discrepancy, erectile difficulties, orgasm concerns, sexual pain and ejaculation-related concerns.
• Identify biological, cognitive, emotional, relational and cultural contributors that may maintain sexual difficulties.
• Demonstrate introductory intervention strategies used in psychosexual therapy, including psychoeducation, cognitive restructuring, mindfulness-based approaches, graded behavioural exercises, communication support and sensate-focused interventions.
• Explore ways to expand definitions of pleasure, intimacy and sexual connection beyond penetration, performance and orgasm-focused frameworks.
• Develop greater confidence using non-pathologizing, trauma-informed and shame-reducing language when discussing sexuality in clinical settings.

Notes

For more information contact the Faculty of Social Work Professional Development office:

Email: fswprofessionaldevelopment@wlu.ca
Phone: 548-889-4967

Cancellations and Transfers
Be sure to carefully review our cancellation and transfer information before registering.

Website: wlu.ca/fswpd

Applies Towards the Following Certificates

• Family and Couples Counselling : Family and Couples Counselling