An In-Depth Discussion on Navigating Dual Relationships for the Clinician

How many of us took a Human Sexuality Course in graduate school? Not too many, I bet. Yet we are expected to treat the whole person. How do we do this when so many of us are unprepared or uncomfortable talking about sex? In this course, attendees will be introduced to methods of self-examination and how their worldview about sex is reflected in their work. Attendees will learn what it means to be a sex positive therapist and determine how they may want to expand their professional identity when it comes to the topic of sex within their practice. Attendees will be provided a sexual health assessment and key indicators to help determine when a referral to a Certified Sex Educator, Counselor, or Therapist would be appropriate.

For many clients substance use is intertwined with their sexual behavior and expression. The recovery process often overlooks the impact of sobriety on sexual expression. This program will explore the relationship between sex and substance use with an emphasis on methamphetamine and men who have sex with men; review sexual templates and scripts, how they are developed; assessing and overcoming the shame associated with high risk behaviors; integrating sexual activity into the recovery plan and tools for helping clients return to healthy sexual interactions while in recovery.