You Can Talk About Sex!:
Practice Considerations, Assessment, and Referral Options
This training/event has been approved by the NASW-Michigan Chapter for 3.0 synchronous General social work CEs: Approval Number 20260213-CA-PS.
Course Description
This 3.0 hour course is intended for practicing psychotherapists who may encounter sexological topics in their practice. This course uses a combination of theoretical knowledge, case examples, and practical insights to prepare clinicians to feel more confident about their clinical options and limitations when sexological topics are broached in session. This course provides a framework for the psychotherapist to have increased comfort and skill in communicating about sexual topics in session.
Specifically, this course covers:
practice considerations when sexual topics are introduced in session;
identification of the clinician’s awareness of their sexual attitudes and values;
use of the PLISSIT model for assessment of sexological needs, concerns, and function; and
knowledge about the role of a sex therapist as a referral source.
Learning objectives
After attending this introductory–level program, participants will be able to:
Describe the value of utilizing the PLISSIT model in response to clients’ sexological needs or concerns.
Identify personal biases towards sexual content and discern when supervision or referral may be indicated.
Assess clients presenting sexological needs and concerns using the PLISSIT model.
Explain the specific role of a sex therapist, including when a referral is indicated.
Explain how sexological needs or concerns are a practice consideration for a psychotherapist.
event agenda
Introduction, Consent, Boundaries, and Learning Objectives (15 minutes)
Practice Considerations when Discussing Sex in Session (30 minutes)
Interactive Activity: Assessing Our Own Sexual Biases (30 minutes)
15-minute Break
Activity Discussion: Countertransference and Sexological Concerns (15 minutes)
PLISSIT Model (30 minutes)
Application: Case Study Using the PLISSIT Model (45 minutes)
Referral Considerations (15 minutes)
Questions and Evaluations (15 minutes)
references
Schubert, A. M., & Pope, M. (Eds.). (2022). Principles and practice of sex therapy: a sex positive approach. : American Counseling Association.
Hall, K. S. K., & Binik, Y. M. (2020). Principles and practice of sex therapy (Sixth edition.). The Guilford Press.
Zeglin, R. J., Goldberg, S., Stalnaker-Shofner, D. M., Walker, B. M., & Schubert, A. M. (2024). Sex therapy credentials: a descriptive analysis of the training of clinicians who do sex therapy. Sexual and Relationship Therapy, 39(1), 4–19. https://doi.org/10.1080/14681994.2021.1937598
Interactive Activity (provided in class)
presenter
Sarah (Tomakich) Winters is a licensed social worker and a human sexuality educator with a certificate in sex therapy from the University of Michigan. Sarah is a career-change psychotherapist and has a professional background as a private jet pilot. Sarah holds a masters degree in social work (MSW) from Michigan State University. She has advanced training in treating relational and intimacy-related concerns, including completion of Module 1 & 2 of Terry Real’s Relational Life Therapy program. As a sex and couples therapy specialist, she is also pursuing ongoing training in Imago, Emotionally Focused Therapy, and the Gottman method.
You can find her at: michigancouplestherapy.com