ACSSW Exemplary Practices Counseling Sexology and Sexual Wellness: Section 9 - Pleasure and Sexual Subcultures

Title of Event: ACSSW Exemplary Practices Counseling Sexology and Sexual Wellness: Section 9 - Pleasure and Sexual Subcultures

Description of Event:

Pleasure is an essential component of holistic sexual wellness and an important aspect of counseling practice. Contemporary models of sexual health identify pleasure as integral to wellbeing, sexual functioning, and sexual rights (Coleman et al., 2021; Ford et al., 2019); however, dominant Western and medicalized frameworks have historically limited counselors’ training in addressing pleasure-related concerns (Gunning, 2020). This gap may hinder counselors’ ability to effectively assess, explore, and affirm clients’ sexual experiences and identities.

This continuing education program will examine the role of pleasure in holistic sexual wellness and its relevance to ethical counseling practice. Attention will be given to sexual subcultures as meaningful sources of identity, community, safety, and pleasure for many clients. Counselors may encounter clients involved in sexual subcultures across clinical settings, making foundational knowledge and affirming skills essential to affirming and liberating practice.

This program will identify key knowledge areas, counseling skills, and professional values necessary for working effectively with clients’ pursuits of sexual pleasure and/or involvement in sexual subcultures. Attendees will learn strategies for exploring sexual pleasure in a clinically appropriate manner, affirming diverse sexual expressions, and engaging in reflective practice to enhance ethical decision-making and client outcomes.

Date of Event: Friday, March 20, 2026

Time of Event: 8am-10am PT / 10am-12pm CT / 11am-1pm ET

Location: Online through Zoom and Recorded through Homestudy

Presenter/Speaker: Bianca R. Augustine-Akogu, PhD

Company/Organization Sponsor: Association of Counseling Sexology and Sexual Wellness

Contact Name: Christine Whitt

Contact Email: officeofce@thechicagoschool.edu

Event Website: https://tcsppofficeofce.com/march_20_2026-3/

AASECT Approved CEs: 2.0