Sex and Shame –
Helping Clients Create or Restore a Life-Affirming Sexuality

Sexuality is a vital, defining part of our identity. We are at our most vulnerable when we experience sexual feelings — and therefore we're the most prone to feeling shame.

We are subject to sexual shaming from early childhood, when we are most vulnerable to moral judgments from family and society — and to boundary violations from family members and those older than us. Entering our teenage years, we long to be attractive to others and try desperately to "be cool" and fit in. As adults, we seek a partner and try to balance the constraints of monogamy with sexual adventure. In our mature years, our ability to function sexually diminishes and our faces and bodies are no longer as we remember them.

In this workshop, we will offer tools you can use to help clients talk about, explore and heal the sexual shame that can arise at any stage in the life cycle — and help them towards a life-affirming sexuality.

You will:

  • Discover ways to help clients become aware of the many, often conflicting messages they received about body image and sexuality from family and society.

  • Learn ways to help clients repair the disconnect between self and others — and between parts of the self — that has been created by shaming, inappropriate behavior or abuse.

  • Understand counter-shaming techniques and develop tools for couples to understand their shame triggers and communicate about taboo sexual topics.

  • Work with the shame that can cause and result from affairs.

  • Identify challenges in being a sexual minority in society and the layers of shame that can occur.

  • Unfreeze shame and open life force in a grounded and embodied way, helping clients to access and safely explore their sexual energy.

Learning Objectives

Participants will be able to:

Course Level: Beginning

There is no prerequisite for this course. It can be taken by itself or as part of a sequence.

CE credits are available only for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs and LEPs in California – CAMFT Approved CE Provider #134393

This workshop is offered in the following formats:

  • Live, interactive workshop on Zoom in 2-day or 4-day format

  • Live, in-person, 2-day workshop (Note: Live, in-person workshops are currently suspended due to Covid-19.)

For a basic course agenda, click here. (Those registering will receive a full course agenda prior to the workshop.)

The Center for Healing Shame is approved by the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists to sponsor continuing education for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs and LEPs in California – CAMFT-approved CE provider #134393. Courses meet the qualifications for 13 hours of continuing education credit for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs and LEPs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. 

The Center for Healing Shame maintains responsibility for this program/course and its content.

WORKSHOP CANCELLATION POLICY

We do not offer refunds. The amount paid can be applied toward a future workshop within 12 months. Registrations are not transferable.

ACCOMMODATIONS FOR THE DIFFERENTLY ABLED

The Center for Healing Shame welcomes people who have disabilities. Our training location is wheelchair accessible. Please contact us to discuss your specific needs.

GRIEVANCE POLICY

The Center for Healing Shame seeks to ensure equitable treatment of every person and to make every attempt to resolve grievances in a fair manner.

If you have a grievance, please include your name and contact information and submit it in writing to Sheila Rubin (sheila@healingshame.com).

Grievances will receive, to the best of our ability, corrective action in order to prevent further problems.