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Digital Seminar

The Accidental Sex Therapist: Sex Therapy Tools Anyone Can Use


Speaker:
Stephen Snyder, MD
Duration:
1 Hour 56 Minutes
Copyright:
Jan 19, 2021
Product Code:
NOS096156


Description

When a client unexpectedly reveals a sexual problem, many clinicians find themselves thrust into the role of “accidental sex therapist.” In this uncomfortable position, too many shy away from addressing the sexual issue, thinking they lack expertise. But all it really takes are some simple conceptual tools and a willingness to learn what’s truly going on in the bedroom. In this recording, we’ll examine how to handle common sexual problems with confidence and skill. Discover how to: 

  • Ask the right questions that get to the heart of what’s really going on in bed—and in each person’s head—during sex 
  • Teach clients a new vocabulary to describe their level of arousal, and help them stop expecting themselves to function sexually when they’re not really aroused 
  • Recommend techniques to improve the erotic climate of a relationship, such as enjoying moments of mutual arousal even when sex isn’t on the menu and doing simple mindfulness practices in bed 
  • Empower clients to feel more confident communicating their sexual needs and feelings 

Credit


California Counselors

The California Board of Behavioral Sciences accepts CE programs that are approved by other approval agencies, including several that approve PESI and its programs.  A full list of approval agencies accepted by the BBS can be found at www.bbs.ca.gov/licensees/cont_ed.html under “Where to find CE Courses.” This intermediate level, self-study activity consists of 2.0 clock hours of continuing education instruction.


Florida Counselors

PESI, Inc. is an approved provider with the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling. Provider Number 50-399. This self-study course qualifies for 2.0 continuing education credits.


Missouri Counselors

CE credit is available. This self-study course consists of 2.0 continuing education clock hours for Missouri Counselors. The Missouri Committee for Professional Counselors accepts continuing education programs relevant to counseling that are provided by organizations recognized by national social worker associations. PESI, Inc. is recognized by a national social worker association. Please see social work approvals for this program.


Nevada Counselors

PESI, Inc. is an approved CEU provider with the State of Nevada Board of Examiners for Marriage and Family Therapists and Clinical Professional Counselors. This self-study activity qualifies for 2.0 contact hours. Approved Provider # NVCEP2006.


New York Counselors

PESI, Inc. is recognized by the New York State Education Department's (NYSED) State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for Licensed Mental Health Counselors. #MHC-0033. This self-study activity will qualify for 2.25 contact hours. Full attendance is required; no partial credits will be offered for partial attendance. 


Ohio Counselors

PESI, Inc. is an approved provider with the State of Ohio Counselor, Social Worker and Marriage & Family Therapist Board. Provider approval #:RCST071001. Full attendance in this self-study course meets the qualifications for 2.0 clock hours of continuing education credit. 


Pennsylvania Counselors

The Pennsylvania State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors accepts many national association CE approvals, several of which PESI offers. For a full list, please see your State Board regulations at https://www.dos.pa.gov/ProfessionalLicensing/BoardsCommissions/. This intermediate level, self-study activity consists of 2.0 clock hours of continuing education instruction.


South Carolina Counselors

This self-study program has been approved for 2.0 continuing education hours by the South Carolina Board of Examiners for Licensure of Professional Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Psycho-Educational Specialists. Provider #4540.


Texas Counselors

This self-study activity consists of 2.0 clock hours of continuing education instruction. Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors no longer approves programs or providers. PESI activities meet the continuing education requirements as listed in Title 22 Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 681, Subchapter J, Section 681.142 Acceptable Continuing Education. Please retain the certificate of completion that you receive and use as proof of completion when required.


Social Workers - National ASWB ACE

PESI, Inc., #1062, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: January 27, 2023 - January 27, 2026. Social workers completing this course receive 1.75 Clinical continuing education credits.

 

Course Level: Intermediate Format: Recorded asynchronous distance. Full attendance is required; no partial credits will be offered for partial attendance.

 

Canadian Social Workers: Canadian provinces may accept activities approved by the ASWB for ongoing professional development.


California Social Workers

The California Board of Behavioral Sciences accepts CE programs that are approved by other approval agencies, including several that approve PESI and its programs.  A full list of approval agencies accepted by the BBS can be found at www.bbs.ca.gov/licensees/cont_ed.html under “Where to find CE Courses.” This intermediate level, self-study activity consists of 2.0 clock hours of continuing education instruction.


Colorado Social Workers

PESI, Inc. is an approved provider with the Colorado Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers. Provider #1413. This self-study course has been approved for 2.0 continuing education hours. 

 

COLORADO PARTICIPANTS ONLY: If you did not answer YES to be reported to the Colorado Chapter of the NASW on the evaluation, please contact cepesi@pesi.com and provide the full title of the webcast, speaker name, date of live broadcast, your name and your license number in the email.

 


Florida Social Workers

PESI, Inc. is an approved provider with the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling. Provider Number 50-399. This self-study course qualifies for 2.0 continuing education credits. 


Illinois Social Workers

PESI, Inc. is an approved provider with the State of Illinois, Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Division of Professional Regulation. License #: 159-000154. Successful completion of this self-study activity qualifies for 2.0 contact hours.


Minnesota Social Workers

PESI, Inc. is an approved provider with the State of Minnesota, Board of Social Work. Provider #: CEP-140. This self-study package has been approved for 2.0 continuing education hours. This certificate has been issued upon successful completion of a post-test.


Montana Social Workers

The Montana Board of Behavioral Health no longer pre-approves any courses or sponsors. Each licensee is responsible for taking courses which contribute to their competence and directly relate to their scope of practice as defined in board statute (MAR 24-219-32). Licensees must keep CE documentation for three years in case of an audit. This intermediate level self-study activity consists of 2.0 clock hours of instruction.


New York Social Workers

PESI, Inc. is recognized by the New York State Education Department's (NYSED) State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0008. This self-study activity will qualify for 2.25 contact hours. Full attendance is required; no partial credits will be offered for partial attendance. 


Ohio Social Workers

PESI, Inc. is an approved provider with the State of Ohio Counselor, Social Worker and Marriage & Family Therapist Board. Provider approval #:RCST071001. Full attendance in this self-study course meets the qualifications for 2.0 clock hours of continuing education credit.


Pennsylvania Social Workers

The Pennsylvania State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors accepts many national association CE approvals, several of which PESI offers. For a full list, please see your State Board regulations at https://www.dos.pa.gov/ProfessionalLicensing/BoardsCommissions/. This intermediate level, self-study activity consists of 2.0 clock hours of continuing education instruction.


Illinois Psychologists

PESI, Inc is an approved provider with the State of Illinois, Department of Professional Regulation. License #: 268.000102. Full attendance at this self-study course qualifies for 2.0 contact hours.


Kentucky Psychologists

PESI, Inc. is approved by the Kentucky Board of Examiners of Psychology to offer continuing education for psychologists. PESI maintains responsibility for this program and its content. This self-study activity will qualify for 2.0 contact hours.


New York Psychologists

PESI, Inc. is recognized by the New York State Education Department's (NYSED) State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0014. This self-study activity will qualify for 2.25 contact hours. Full attendance is required; no partial credits will be offered for partial attendance.


Ohio Psychologists

PESI, Inc. is approved by the Ohio Psychological Association, Provider #263896894, to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. PESI, Inc. maintains responsibility for this program and its content. PESI is offering this self-study activity for 2.0 Standard hours of continuing education credit.


Pennsylvania Psychologists

PESI, Inc. is approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Psychology to offer continuing education for psychologists. PESI maintains responsibility for the program(s). This self-study program qualifies for 2.0 continuing education hours.


California Marriage & Family Therapists

The California Board of Behavioral Sciences accepts CE programs that are approved by other approval agencies, including several that approve PESI and its programs.  A full list of approval agencies accepted by the BBS can be found at www.bbs.ca.gov/licensees/cont_ed.html under “Where to find CE Courses.” This intermediate level, self-study activity consists of 2.0 clock hours of continuing education instruction.


Florida Marriage & Family Therapists

PESI, Inc. is an approved provider with the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling. Provider Number 50-399. This self-study course qualifies for 2.0 continuing education credits.


Illinois Marriage & Family Therapists

PESI, Inc. has been approved as a provider of continuing education by the State of Illinois, Department of Professional Regulation. Provider #:168-000156. Full attendance at this self-study activity qualifies for 2.0 credits.


Montana Marriage & Family Therapists

The Montana Board of Behavioral Health no longer pre-approves any courses or sponsors. Each licensee is responsible for taking courses which contribute to their competence and directly relate to their scope of practice as defined in board statute (MAR 24-219-32). Licensees must keep CE documentation for three years in case of an audit. This intermediate level self-study activity consists of 2.0 clock hours of instruction.


Nevada Marriage & Family Therapists

PESI, Inc. is an approved CEU provider with the State of Nevada Board of Examiners for Marriage and Family Therapists and Clinical Professional Counselors. This self-study activity qualifies for 2.0 contact hours. Approved Provider # NVCEP2006.


Ohio Marriage & Family Therapists

PESI, Inc. is an approved provider with the State of Ohio Counselor, Social Worker and Marriage & Family Therapist Board. Provider approval #:RCST071001. Full attendance in this self-study course meets the qualifications for 2.0 clock hours of continuing education credit. 


Pennsylvania Marriage & Family Therapists

The Pennsylvania State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors accepts many national association CE approvals, several of which PESI offers. For a full list, please see your State Board regulations at https://www.dos.pa.gov/ProfessionalLicensing/BoardsCommissions. This intermediate level, self-study activity consists of 2.0 clock hours of continuing education instruction.


South Carolina Marriage & Family Therapists

This self-study program has been approved for 2.0 continuing education hours by the South Carolina Board of Examiners for Licensure of Professional Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Psycho-Educational Specialists. Provider #4540.


California Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Counselors

PESI, Inc. is an approved provider by the CCAPP-EI, Provider #: OS-03-036-1025. This activity meets the qualifications for 2.0 CEH's (continuing education hours).


California Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Counselors (CADTP)

PESI, Inc. is an approved provider by the CADTP, Provider #: 201. This Category H activity meets the qualifications for 2.0 CEU's (continuing education hours).


Addiction Counselors

This self-study activity consists of 2.0 clock hours of continuing education instruction. Credit requirements and approvals vary per state board regulations. Please save the course outline, the certificate of completion you receive from the activity and contact your state board or organization to determine specific filing requirements.


Oklahoma Alcohol & Drug Counselors

PESI, Inc. is an Oklahoma Board of Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors approved provider #20240032. This self-study activity consists of 2.0 clock hours of continuing education instruction.


California Nurses

PESI, Inc. is a provider approved by the California Board of  Registered Nursing, Provider #: 17118 for 2.0 self-study contact hours. 

** You will need to provide your license number to PESI. PESI must have this number on file in order for your hours to be valid.


Florida Nurses

CE Broker

PESI, Inc. is an approved provider by the Florida Board of  Nursing. Provider #: FBN2858. These materials qualify for 2.0 self-study contact hours.


California Licensed Educational Psychologists

The California Board of Behavioral Sciences accepts CE programs that are approved by other approval agencies, including several that approve PESI and its programs.  A full list of approval agencies accepted by the BBS can be found at www.bbs.ca.gov/licensees/cont_ed.html under “Where to find CE Courses.” This intermediate level, self-study activity consists of 2.0 clock hours of continuing education instruction.


South Carolina Psycho-Educational Specialists

This self-study program has been approved for 2.0 continuing education hours by the South Carolina Board of Examiners for Licensure of Professional Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Psycho-Educational Specialists. Provider #4540.


**

NOTE: Tuition includes one free CE Certificate (participant will be able to print the certificate of completion after completing and passing the on-line post-test evaluation). 

Continuing Education Information:  Listed below are the continuing education credit(s) currently available for this non-interactive self-study package. Please note, your state licensing board dictates whether self-study is an acceptable form of continuing education. Please refer to your state rules and regulations. If your profession is not listed, please contact your licensing board to determine your continuing education requirements and check for reciprocal approval. For other credit inquiries not specified below, please contact cepesi@pesi.com or 800-844-8260 before the event.

Materials that are included in this course may include interventions and modalities that are beyond the authorized practice of mental health professionals.  As a licensed professional, you are responsible for reviewing the scope of practice, including activities that are defined in law as beyond the boundaries of practice in accordance with and in compliance with your professions standards


Connecticut Addiction Counselors

Provider #120924. This course has been approved as a CCB approved training and has been awarded 2.0 hours by the Connecticut Certification Board.


Counselors

This self-study activity consists of 2.0 clock hours of continuing education instruction. Credit requirements and approvals vary per state board regulations. Please save the course outline, the certificate of completion you receive from the activity and contact your state board or organization to determine specific filing requirements.


Montana Counselors

The Montana Board of Behavioral Health no longer pre-approves any courses or sponsors. Each licensee is responsible for taking courses which contribute to their competence and directly relate to their scope of practice as defined in board statute (MAR 24-219-32). Licensees must keep CE documentation for three years in case of an audit. This intermediate level self-study activity consists of 2.0 clock hours of instruction.


Marriage & Family Therapists

This self-study activity consists of 2.0 clock hours of continuing education instruction. Credit requirements and approvals vary per state board regulations. Please save this course outline, the certificate of completion you receive from this self-study activity and contact your state board or organization to determine specific filing requirements. 


New York Marriage & Family Therapists

PESI, Inc. is recognized by the New York State Education Department's (NYSED) State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists. #MFT-0024. This self-study activity will qualify for 2.25 contact hours. Full attendance is required; no partial credits will be offered for partial attendance


Texas Marriage & Family Therapists

This self-study activity consists of 2.0 clock hours of continuing education instruction. Texas State Board of Examiners of Marriage and Family Therapists no longer approves programs or providers. PESI activities meet the continuing education requirements as listed in Title 22 of the Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 801, Subchapter K, Section 801.264 Types of Acceptable Continuing Education. Please retain the certificate of completion that you receive and use as proof of completion when required.


Nurses, Nurse Practitioners, and Clinical Nurse Specialists

This self-study activity consists of 2.0 clock hours of continuing education instruction. Credit requirements and approvals vary per state board regulations. Please save the course outline, the certificate of completion you receive from this self-study activity and contact your state board or organization to determine specific filing requirements.


Iowa Nurses

PESI, Inc. is an approved provider by the Iowa Board of Nursing. Provider #: 346. Nurses successfully completing these self-study materials will earn 2.0 self-study contact hours. Please email cepesi@pesi.com with your license number, include the title, speaker name and date. PESI must have this number on file in order for your hours to be valid.


Florida Psychologists

PESI, Inc., is an approved provider with the Florida Board of Psychology.Provider Number #50-399.This product qualifies for 2.0 self-study continuing education credits.


Other Professionals

This self-study activity qualifies for 2.0 continuing education clock hours as required by many national, state and local licensing boards and professional organizations. Save your activity advertisement and certificate of completion, and contact your own board or organization for specific requirements.



Handouts/Brochure

Speaker

Stephen Snyder, MD's Profile

Stephen Snyder, MD Related seminars and products


Stephen Snyder, MD, is a sex and relationship therapist and the author of the new book Love Worth Making: How to Have Ridiculously Great Sex in a Long-Lasting Relationship.


Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Dr. Stephen Snyder maintains a private practice and has an employment relationship with Mt. Sinai. He receives royalties as a published author. Dr. Snyder receives a speaking honorarium and recording royalties from Psychotherapy Networker and PESI, Inc. He has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Dr. Stephen Snyder is a member of the Society for Sex Therapy and Research (SSTAR) and the American Association of Sex Educators Counselors and Therapists (AASECT).


Additional Info

Access for Self-Study (Non-Interactive)

Access never expires for this product.


Questions?

Visit our FAQ page at www.pesi.com/faq or contact us at www.pesi.com/info


Objectives

  1. Assess couple’s communication skills related to intimacy using simple questioning.
  2. Teach clients communication techniques to describe their level of arousal to their partner.
  3. Propose mindfulness techniques to improve the erotic climate in a relationship.

Outline

Develop specific questions that get to the heart of what’s really going on in bed---and in each person’s head---during sex.  
  • Psychological arousal, as opposed to physiological arousal, is a more reliable indicator of sexual readiness and a better predictor of sexual satisfaction. 
  • Most people report that psychological arousal has core features such as the following: 
    • Absorption in the moment 
    • Self-acceptance, lack of judgment 
    • Temporary impairment of intellect 
    • Distortion of time sense 
    • Regression to more infantile modes of being 
    • A feeling of “selfish connection” that’s different from ordinary adult interaction. 
    • A deep sense of validation  
  • Questioning clients about their typical sexual experiences should include careful inquiry re the usual sequence of events (“Who typically does what to whom first? Then what happens next, and why?”), as well as re participants’ subjective experience at each stage (“How psychologically aroused do you usually feel when that happens?”) 
  • Case examples will be given, showing how simple questioning along these lines can yield valuable information that clients and their therapists can use to frame interventions to enhance psychological arousal. 
  • Theoretical:  The idea of a “sexual self:” primitive, regressive, and rooted in the healthy narcissistic gratifications of early childhood.  
Help clients learn a new vocabulary to describe their level of arousal, and help them stop expecting themselves to function sexually when they’re not really aroused.   
  • Once clients learn to self-observe their state of authentic psychological arousal, it often becomes clear that the major block to sexual function was that “their sexual self felt unhappy.” 
  • The therapeutic question then becomes, “How can we give the sexual self what it needs?”   
  • Clinical examples will be provided. 
Recommend simple techniques to improve the erotic climate in a relationship---such as enjoying mutual arousal even when sex isn’t on the menu, and doing simple mindfulness practices in bed together.  
  • Most long-term, committed couples learn to make mutual orgasm the goal of lovemaking. Along the way, they forget to ask whether they’re authentically aroused.  
  • Re-focusing on arousal rather than orgasm becomes a central therapeutic agenda.  
  • Most long-term, committed couples refrain from experiencing arousal together unless they plan to have sex. Treatment should include practice experiencing frequent arousal “for its own sake.”     
    • Technique 1: “Simmering”: One or two minutes of mutual arousal, without expectation of sex per se.  
  • Most long-term, committed couples lose the intense sexual motivation they started with when their relationship was new. Most sex advice these days recommends trying to introduce novelty, adventure, or uncertainty. This is usually unproductive, for reasons we’ll discuss. “Sex dates” tend not work either, since desire is absent and the sex can feel artificial. Instead, the following will be recommended: 
    • Technique 2: The “Two-Step”: Instead of making a date to have sex, make a date to “do nothing in bed together.” Start with mindfulness practices – to be described (“Step 1”), before letting yourself get aroused (“Step 2”). Mindfulness facilitates arousal, since “paying attention to the present moment without judgment” is at the heart of psychological arousal.  
  • Most couples find that “Simmering” and “Two-Step” are far more user-friendly, feel more natural, and are more compatible with 21st Century schedules than traditional Masters and Johnson “Sensate Focus.” 
Help clients feel more confident communicating their sexual needs and feelings.  
  • Too few couples talk much during sex. Or they try to “talk dirty” in order to “keep it hot.”  
  • Simple communication about your feelings of sexual arousal can often feel far more intimate and erotic.  
  • Clinical examples will be provided.  
  • A model will be provided for assessing whether a given communication is intimate or not.  
Assess your own level of comfort with being an “accidental sex therapist” when individuals and couples unexpectedly bring up sexual problems during the course of therapy.  
  • Feedback will be solicited from attendees re possible difficulties they might anticipate in implementing the approach and techniques outlined above.  
  • Solutions and work-arounds for common difficulties will be presented.  

Target Audience

  • Counselors
  • Social Workers
  • Psychologists
  • Psychotherapists
  • Therapists
  • Marriage & Family Therapists
  • Addiction Counselors
  • Case Managers
  • Physicians
  • Nurses
  • Other Mental Health Professionals

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Total Reviews: 65

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