Allura Sex Therapy Academy

Traumatic experiences can have a lasting effect on survivors, including on their sexuality and sexual expression. The effects of trauma are seen in many areas of life – healing often has entailed looking at safety, nervous system regulation, and unpacking the deeply profound emotional impacts that clients experience in their day-to-day lives. 

In particular, trauma of any kind changes our clients' sense of self, boundaries, and ability to be vulnerable in all relationships, and particularly sexual relationships. Trauma healing must look not only at the completion and integration of traumatic experiences, but moving further into helping clients actively regain their sexual voices and identities. 

This training is focused specifically on helping clients focus on healing the sexual parts of themselves and learn to not only regain their "no", but reconnect and experience the pleasure of their sexuality. Participants will learn tools for assessment and conceptualization of sexual difficulties, both relationally and sexual functioning, through a trauma-informed lens and how to adapt treatment planning for sexual difficulties based on a clients' sexual and trauma histories. 

Learning Objectives

By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

1. Name at least 10 types of trauma that can impact sexuality

2. Label the main structures of the brain involved in trauma

3. Identify at least one way trauma effects the brain

4. Identify at least one different model of sexual response

5. Explain how at least 3 different hormones impact sexual response

6. Explain the PEA effect in early relationships and how this may relate to diminished trauma symptoms

7. Identify and explain at least five ways trauma can affect a client’s sex life

8. Utilize guided exploration around motivating factors for healing in clinical work

9. Explain the Triphasic model for trauma recovery to sexual healing

10. Utilize the “Client Continuum Framework in Sex Therapy” for working with trauma and sexual issues

11. Utilize at least 3 interventions for building capacity for touch for clients

12. Understand how to help clients respond to triggers during sexual experiences

13. Explain how to use resourcing as an intervention in session to manage dissociation and flashbacks

14. Identify when the client is ready for Stage 2 of the Triphasic Model in Sexual Healing 

15. Utilize Individual Sensate Focus for trauma-informed treatment of sexual difficulties

16. Explain how to integrate pleasure-focused activities into clients daily lives

17. Support relational healing in client’s romantic relationships to move towards present-focused pleasurable sexuality

18. Identify at least 3 common pitfalls that can occur in trauma-informed sex therapy and interventions that may support movement

19. Differentiate between asexuality, low desire, and hypersexuality as related to trauma 

Core Knowledge Areas: E, H, I, J

Sex Therapy Training:  A, C