Pleasure, Arousal and Fantasy: Using Romance Novels as an Adjunct to Integrative Sex and Couples Therapy

Title of Event: Pleasure, Arousal and Fantasy: Using Romance Novels as an Adjunct to Integrative Sex and Couples Therapy

Description of Event:

This interactive 2-hour training explores how contemporary romance novels can function as a clinically useful adjunct to integrative sex and couples therapy by supporting discussions of pleasure, fantasy, emotional intimacy, relational safety, erotic communication, and core attachment needs.

Drawing from emerging research on romance reading, bibliotherapy, sexual script theory, and integrative psychosexual frameworks, participants will examine how fictional narratives can help clients externalize desire, identify relational patterns, increase erotic curiosity, and build language around fantasy and arousal in a non-threatening and culturally accessible format.

Through guided discussion, experiential activities, and case-based application, clinicians will learn how romance novels may help clients explore themes such as emotional safety, desire discrepancy, consent, erotic identity, vulnerability, communication, novelty, longing, and pleasure entitlement. Participants will also discuss how therapists can ethically and intentionally incorporate romance narratives into treatment while remaining mindful of diversity, shame, trauma, neurodivergence, religious/cultural messaging, and the distinction between fantasy and expectation in intimate relationships.

Date of Event: November 24th, 2026

Time of Event: 1:45 PM EST -3:45 PM EST

Location: Online Synchronous

Sex Therapy (ST) Training:

ST3. Theory and methods of approach to intervention in relationship systems experiencing sex and intimacy problems.

ST7. Practicum Experience: Exposure to treatment of clinical sex therapy cases through direct observation, demonstration, case review or role-playing. eLearning cannot be applied. Applicants must be very clear in their documentation as to how they gained exposure to sex therapy cases.

Presenter/Speaker: Jennifer H. Greenberg, PhD, MSW, LICSW, LCSW-C, CST-S, CSCT

Contact Name: Raiza Queen Calda Enriquez

Contact Email: office@rivkasidorsky.com

Event Website: https://rivkasidorsky.org/workshops/PLEASUREAROUSAL/view

AASECT Approved CEs: 2