Description of the Course:

• Many of us understand fantasy, porn consumption, and “sex addiction” as distinctly separate ideas and concepts, that can be linked or not depending on the person. However, these aspects of sexual experience can quickly find themselves grouped together; undifferentiated, particularly in relationships - leading to panic, pain, and crisis for the couple involved. Sex therapists are often faced with questions like “Can you help me stop fantasizing about other people? Stop masturbating?” “I’ve betrayed my partner by watching porn; can you help me shake this habit?” Out of desperation and fear, people attempt to distance themselves from major components of their sexual life and experience, but is this possible? Is it healthy?

  This course takes a deep-dive into the nature and importance of fantasy, the myths and challenges surrounding porn consumption in partnership, and the spectrum of behaviors associated with the blanket term “sex addiction.” Attendees will gain a clearer sense for why and how to treat these areas of sexual life as distinctly separate issues and areas of importance in terms of exploration, understanding, and clear agreement setting in relationships. Participants will leave with a clearer sense of their personal understanding of the complexity of human sexual experience, as well as a sense for the current methodology for treating what is largely referred to as “out-of-control sexual behavior” in the field of sex therapy.

  Presenter Bio:

  Paula received her Bachelor’s Degree in Family and Human Development at Arizona State University and then went on to receive her Master’s Degree in Family Therapy at the University of Massachusetts, at Boston. Post family therapy licensure, she became AASECT (American Association for Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists) certified as a Sex Therapist and worked with individuals, relationships, and families in private practice in Quincy, Massachusetts for over ten years. In that time, Paula received AASECT certification as a Supervisor of Sex Therapy, and co-founded a sex therapy agency and training institute where she saw clients in addition to training therapists to become competent, confident sex therapists themselves. Paula continues to regularly present at various training institutes as well as Universities and therapy agencies across the US.

  Learning Objectives:

• Describe why fantasy is an important part of human development from childhood through adulthood.
• Explain the major differences between partnered sex and watching pornography for those who participate in both. 
• Name several reasons why the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT) has taken a position against Sex Addiction as a diagnosable disorder. 

Bibliography:

  Braun-Harvey, D., & Vigorito, M. A. (2016). Treating out of control sexual    behavior:Rethinking sex addiction. Springer Publishing Company, LLC. 

 Cowart, L. (2021). Hurts so good: The science and culture of pain on  purpose. PublicAffairs, Hachette Book Group. 

 Donaghue, C. (2015). Sex outside the lines authentic sexuality in a sexually  dysfunctional culture. BenBella Books, Inc. 

 Klein, M. (2016). His porn, her pain: Confronting America's pornpanic with  honest talk about sex. Praeger. 

 Real, T. (2008). The new rules of marriage: What you need to know to make  love work. Ballantine Books. 

Course Outline: 

I.               Intro: Working Agreements and Confidentiality

II.             Case: Joe and Tina

III.           Private/Hidden vs. Secret

IV.          Eroticization of Everything 

V.            Fantasy 

a.     Development and Socialization

b.     Fantasy vs. Desire

c.     Consent 

VI.          BREAK – 10 minutes

VII.        Pornography

a.     Sexual Development Cont.

b.     Meaning making

c.     What IS porn?

d.     Experience of pornography vs. partnered sex

e.     Is it really about porn?

f.      Self-harm vs. Self-care

g.     Masochism

VIII.      BREAK – 10 minutes

IX.          Out of Control Sexual Behavior

a.     What is it? Why not sex addiction? 

b.     Treating OCSB

c.     Considerations for couples 

X.            Wrap-up

a.     Case discussion

b.     Questions

CONTINUING EDUCATION POLICIES:

Cancellation Policy:

Cancellation of your registration with full refund can be done up to 7 days before the event. Simply send an email requesting to cancel to ppcsalem@gmail.com.

Accommodations for the Differently Abled:

The CE Company’s training facilities are handicap accessible. Individuals needing special accommodations, please contact the Private Practice Colloquium ppcsalem@gmail.com.

Grievance Policy:

The Private Practice Colloquium, Inc. (PPC) and The CE Company) seek to ensure equitable treatment of every person and to make every attempt to resolve grievances in a fair manner. Please submit a written grievance to PPC, 564 Loring Avenue, Salem, MA 01970 or to The CE Company, 3737 Woodland Avenue Suite 620, West Des Moines, IO 50266. Grievances will initially be directed to the training instructor. Grievances would receive, to the best of our ability, corrective action in order to prevent further problems. If you have questions or concerns, contact PPC at (781) 718-9205 or The CE Company (515) 225-7124.

The CE Company is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The CE Company maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

Continuing education credit is awarded by the CE Company for the following disciplines:

Social Workers:

The CE Company is entitled to award continuing education credit for Social Workers. Please visit the CE Company to see all states that are covered for Social Workers. The CE Company maintains responsibility for this program and its content. Social Workers completing this program will receive 3.0 clinical hours of clinical continuing education credit.

Licensed Mental Health Counselors/Licensed Clinical Professional Counselors:

The CE Company is entitled to award continuing education credit for Licensed Professional Counselors/Licensed Mental Health Counselors. Please visit the CE Company to see all states that are covered for LPCs/LMHCs. The CE Company maintains responsibility for this program and its content. LPCs/LMHCs completing this program will receive 3.0 hours of continuing education credit.

Psychologists:

The CE Company is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for Psychologists. The CE Company maintains responsibility for this program and its content. Psychologists receive 3.0 hours of continuing education credit upon completing this program. Please visit the CE Company for further information.

Nurses:

As an American Psychological Association approved provider, the CE Company programs are accepted by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Please visit the CE Company for further information.

Licensed Marriage & Family Therapists:

The CE Company is entitled to award continuing education credit for Licensed Marriage & Family Therapists. Please visit the CE Company to see all states that are covered for LMFTs. CES maintains responsibility for this program and its content. LMFTs completing this program will receive 3.0 hours of continuing education credit.