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Somatic Sex Therapy

Title of Event: Somatic Sex Therapy
 
Description of Event:
Sex is almost always a physical act, so why would we not use the body as a resource for better understanding our clients’ experiences? This course draws on many of the main principles in somatic psychology including polyvagal theory, attachment theory, narrative and art therapy, the Braddock Body Process, integrative trauma and PTSD therapies, and the instructors own research into embodied healing for survivors of sexual trauma. It will address somatic memory and holding, as well as ways to reframe and replace dysfunctional psychosomatic patterns with integrated alternatives.
 
Understanding how the brain and body work together—not focusing on one over the other—informs effective somatic sex therapy interventions. Somatic techniques are most often used as an addition to, rather than a replace for, traditional sex therapy methodology, and inherently offer titrated pacing and client-lead initiatives. Utilizing somatic sex therapy moves clients toward states of embodiment and empowerment, which creates an ideal foundation for holistic sexual health.
 
Learning Objectives:
  • Understand the principle theories applied to somatic sex therapy
  • Describe three clinical examples of how somatic sex therapy can benefit clients
  • Explain what is meant by embodiment and empowerment through a somatic sex therapy lens
  • Discuss and explain integrated healing and holistic sexual health
Schedule:
30 min: Introductions
1 hr: PowerPoint presentation (with handouts) including somatic psychology theories and methods as applied to sex therapy
15-minute break
30 min: Watch somatic psychology videos and discuss applications for sex therapy
30 min: Two clinical examples with instructor/student dyad with observer discussion
15 min: Break
45 min : Work in triads to discover clinical applications and implications for somatic sex therapy
15 min: Closing comments and Q & A
 
Speaker Bio:
Dr. Holly Richmond is a Somatic Psychotherapist, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT), Certified Sex Therapist (CST) and Associate Director of Modern Sex Therapy Institutes. This unique combination of credentials enables her to focus on clients’ cognitive processes as well as mind-body health. In addition to teaching numerous sexual health-related subjects, she works with women, men, couples, and gender-diverse individuals on relationship and sexuality issues, offering sex therapy and sexual health coaching nationally and internationally. Her treatment specialties include low libido, sexual dysfunction, compulsive sexuality (often called “addiction”), desire discrepancies in couples, recovery from sexual assault and abuse, and alternative/non-traditional sexual expression. Her newly released book Reclaiming Pleasure: A Sex-Positive Guide for Moving Past Sexual Trauma and Living a Passionate Life (New Harbinger, Oct. 2021) is an innovative look at both somatic and psychological factors in survivors’ erotic recovery.
 
Dr. Holly is regularly quoted in publications and media outlets including The New York Times, CNN, Shape, NBC, Wired, Forbes, Oprah, Men’s Health, Cosmopolitan and Women’s Health. 
 
Date of Event: Friday, April 4, 2025
 
Time of Event: 9AM - 1PM EST
 
Location: Online Synchronous or Online Asynchronous following the live webinar 
 
Sex Therapy (ST) Training:
ST1. Theory and methods of sex-related psychotherapy, including several different models.
ST3. Theory and methods of approach to intervention in relationship systems experiencing sex and intimacy problems.
 
Presenter/Speaker: Holly Richmond, PhD, LMFT, CST
 
Company/Organization Sponsor: Modern Sex Therapy Institutes (MSTI) 
 
Contact Name: Rachel Needle
 
Contact Telephone Number: (561) 379-7207
 
 
 
AASECT Approved CEs: 4