Beyond Fixity: Understanding the Complexity and Nonlinear Development of Trans and Nonbinary Identities with Dr. Lisa Diamond
This training examines the evolving science of gender identity development with a focus on the nonlinear, variable, and context-dependent trajectories commonly observed among trans and nonbinary individuals across the life course. Drawing from emerging research and developmental theory, participants will explore how gender identity may unfold through periods of stability, reorganization, exploration, and change without indicating pathology or dysfunction. The course clarifies common misconceptions surrounding ongoing gender development, differentiating normative complexity from detransition or clinical concern. Emphasis is placed on identifying practitioner bias toward fixity and “arrival,” and on cultivating affirming, developmentally informed clinical approaches that prioritize safety, adaptability, and resilience for clients and their relational systems.
Learning Objectives:
Describe the range of developmental trajectories observed in trans and nonbinary individuals over time, including nonlinear change, temporary stability, and ongoing identity evolution across the life course.
Differentiate detransition from normative developmental complexity, clarifying common misconceptions about multiple transitions and ongoing gender change, particularly among nonbinary individuals.
Apply developmentally informed, affirming clinical perspectives that prioritize comfort, safety, and resilience within ongoing complexity, while identifying and addressing practitioner bias toward fixity, predictability, and “arrival” as therapeutic goals.
AASECT CKA:
B. Developmental sexuality from a bio-psycho-social perspective across the life course
D. Issues related to gender identity and expression
O. Professional communication and personal reflection skills
AASECT ST:
F. Ethical decision-making and best practice
Birth Trauma: Working with Couples to Support Connection with Monica Ashton, LCSW, PMH-C, CST
This presentation will cover the potential impact of birth trauma on the individual and how it can impact their relationship. We will be covering the mental, emotional, relational and sexual impacts that can occur after birth trauma.
Learning Objectives:
Identify at least three mental, emotional, relational, and sexual effects associated with birth trauma.
Explain how birth trauma can impact attachment, intimacy, and partner relationships in the postpartum period.
Demonstrate the application of trauma-informed and attachment-based interventions when supporting individuals and couples affected by birth trauma.
AASECT CKA:
H. Health/medical factors that may influence sexuality including, but not limited to, illness, disability, drugs, mental health, conception, pregnancy, childbirth, pregnancy termination, contraception, fertility, HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted infection, other infections, sexual trauma, injury and safer sex practices.
I. Range of sexual functioning and behavior, from optimal to problematic including, but not limited to, common issues such as: desire discrepancy, lack of desire, difficulty achieving or maintaining arousal, sexual pain, penetration problems and difficulty with orgasm.
AASECT ST:
C. Theory and methods of approach to intervention in relationship systems experiencing sex and intimacy problems
Ethical Practice in the Perinatal and Maternal Mental Health Space with Ricci Howell, LCSW, PMH-C
Ethical Practice in the Perinatal and Maternal Mental Health Space
A 2-hour Ethics Training
Designed for clinical mental health providers, this engaging training equips clinicians with the knowledge and confidence to navigate ethical considerations in perinatal care with skill and cultural responsiveness. Through an in-depth examination of perinatal health in the United States, participants explore how historical, systemic, and sociocultural forces—including racism and patriarchy—shape client experiences and clinical decision-making. Expert-led instruction, interactive discussion, and guided reflection support the practical application of cultural humility, ethical evaluation, and inclusive care strategies. Participants also gain tools to recognize and address compassion fatigue, strengthening both clinical effectiveness and professional sustainability when working with perinatal populations.
Learning Objectives:
Demonstrate increased knowledge of the history of perinatal health in the United States, including intersections with racism and patriarchy.
Critically examine their own privilege and utilize a framework of cultural humility when working with clients.
Recognize signs of compassion fatigue and utilize strategies for support and self-care.
AASECT CKA:
A. Ethics and ethical behavior.
C. Socio-cultural, familial factors (e.g., ethnicity, culture, religion, spirituality, socioeconomic status, family values) in relation to sexual values and behaviors.
H. Health/medical factors that may influence sexuality including, but not limited to, illness, disability, drugs, mental health, conception, pregnancy, childbirth, pregnancy termination, contraception, fertility, HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted infection, other infections, sexual trauma, injury and safer sex practices.
AASECT ST:
F. Ethical decision-making and best practice.
Indigenous Foundations of the 4-D Wheel with Skylar Collé, PhD, LMFT
The purpose of this training is to enhance understanding of the Indigenous origins of the 4-D Wheel model in sex therapy and the requirements for decolonial clinical practice. Through original archival research from the Kinsey Institute's Gina Ogden Collection, this presentation reveals how the widely-used 4-D Wheel emerged from Dr. Ogden's apprenticeship with don Óscar Miro-Quesada in the Pachakuti Mesa Tradition (PMT) during the early 1990s. Participants will learn about epistemic violence, the systematic erasure of Indigenous knowledge in Western therapeutic practice, and gain a concrete framework for decolonial potentiality that includes explicit attribution, ceremonial engagement, and ongoing accountability. This training provides practical pathways for ethical, decolonial practice. Participants will leave with action steps for examining their own work and advocating for institutional transformation in sex therapy education.
Learning Objectives:
Identify the Indigenous origins of the 4-D Wheel model, including its direct connection to Pachakuti Mesa Tradition (PMT) and the structural parallels between the four-directional mesa and the Wheel's dimensions.
Define epistemic violence in sex therapy practice and recognize how Western institutions systematically erase, extract, and appropriate Indigenous knowledge systems.
Apply the five requirements for decolonial potentiality to their own clinical practice or learning, including explicit attribution, ceremonial engagement, guiding rather than directing, honoring ayni, and ongoing personal accountability.
AASECT CKA:
A. Ethics and ethical behavior.
C. Socio-cultural, familial factors (e.g., ethnicity, culture, religion, spirituality, socioeconomic status, family values) in relation to sexual values and behaviors.
O. Professional communication and personal reflection skills.
AASECT ST:
F. Ethical decision-making and best practice.
Building Bridges: Embracing Diversity Through Inclusive Cultural Humanity with Amanda Jae Gonzalez, MSW, LCSW
2-hour Cultural Competency training
Cultural humility isn’t just a buzz phrase - it’s clinical ethics. In this training, therapists and health providers will examine how bias, power, and social stress show up in treatment (even with the “nice” practitioner), and why neutrality often becomes avoidance. Participants will learn a direct, usable repair protocol for moments of identity-linked harm, misattunement, and rupture—plus concrete language for consent-based pacing, shame reduction, and inclusive care that doesn’t require clients to educate their practitioners. We’ll close with a non-fluffy self-care lens: creativity as a way to metabolize political intensity and protect the therapist’s nervous system so repair stays possible.
Learning Objectives:
1. Identify and describe at least one key clinical considerations for ethically responding to client concerns, and choose an appropriate clinical response using a brief case example.
2. Apply at least two client-centered frameworks to conceptualize presenting concerns within identity, cultural, and systemic contexts, including one equity-informed lens to reduce harm and strengthen collaboration.
3. Begin to develop a brief, individualized professional sustainability plan that includes one boundary strategy, one regulation strategy, and one creativity-based practice to support resilience during heightened social or political stress.
AASECT CKA:
A. Ethics and ethical behavior.
C. Socio-cultural, familial factors (e.g., ethnicity, culture, religion, spirituality, socioeconomic status, family values) in relation to sexual values and behaviors.
O. Professional communication and personal reflection skills.
AASECT ST:
F. Ethical decision-making and best practice.
PRESENTER: Amanda Jae Gonzalez, MSW, LCSW
As a growing expert in trauma, mindfulness, and body–mind bridging across the lifespan, Amanda strives to support individuals and families in making sense of what they’re experiencing and moving toward meaningful change. Her approach is light-hearted, relational, and evidence-informed, and works to create a space that feels both grounded and human. She often integrates somatics, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical approaches, and psychodynamic insight into an education-based style that helps clients better understand their nervous system, patterns, and needs.
Amanda frequently supports clients navigating anxiety, survivorship, post-traumatic stress, injury or chronic pain, and perinatal/postpartum concerns—including postpartum mood disorders and postpartum psychosis. Her clinical background includes training in psychodynamic theory and child development, and she also incorporates attachment-based work that supports healthier “relating,” emotional safety, and connection over time.
She deeply appreciates each client’s humanity throughout our work together. In each therapeutic relationship, her hope is to engage in a way that feels creative, informative, strength-building, and supportive of real change.
Sensate Focus: An Essential Technique for Sexual Health
IMPORTANT: THIS EVENT IS TAKING PLACE IN THE LGBTQ THERAPIST'S GUILD AND IS NOT HOSTED BY THE HEALING GROUP INSTITUTE.
Dr. Rullo is ABPP Certified, a Board-Certified Clinical Health Psychologist, a AASECT Certified Sex Therapist and Supervisor, and a Certified Gottman Therapist. In this in-service, Dr, Rullo will discuss Sensate Focus Therapy. Sensate Focus isn’t just for sex therapists! It is a mindfulness and exposure-based intervention that any therapist can use. It is an essential intervention for couples who struggle with desire discrepancy and sexual avoidance. In this session, learn everything you need to know to start Sensate Focus today!
In order to participate, please sign up for The LGBTQ Therapist’s Guild here: https://www.lgbtqtherapists.com/
Integrate Sexual Health Principles into Clinical Work with Clients Engaging in Sex/Drug-Linked Behaviors, part 1 with Doug Braun-Harvey, LMFT, CGP, CST-S, CST
Integrate Sexual Health Principles into Clinical Work with Clients Engaging in Sex/Drug-Linked Behaviors, part 1
This three-part series will focus on sex/drug linked behavior. Based on a curriculum that was successfully implemented and evaluated at Stepping Stone, a drug and alcohol treatment program in San Diego, this series will support therapists in understanding and integrating basic sexual health principles into their work. Therapists will have an overall understanding of sex/drug linked behavior and recognize when a referral to an addiction treatment center is appropriate.
Through engaging lectures, guided reflection, interactive exercises, and expert feedback, participants will build confidence and clinical skill in supporting clients’ growth and transformation. Presented in collaboration with Kristin B. Hodson, LCSW, CST, CST-S.
Learning Objectives:
Explain the relationship between substance use and sexual behavior
Integrate sexual health principles into assessment and treatment planning
Recognize when referral to specialized addiction treatment is appropriate to support recovery and sexual well-being.
AASECT Core Knowledge Areas
H. Health/medical factors that may influence sexuality including, but not limited to, illness, disability, drugs, mental health, conception, pregnancy, childbirth, pregnancy termination, contraception, fertility, HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted infection, other infections, sexual trauma, injury and safer sex practices.
J. Sexual exploitation including sexual abuse, sexual harassment and sexual assault.
L. Substance use/abuse and sexuality.
AASECT Sex Therapy Skills Training
A. Theory and methods of sex-related psychotherapy, including several different models.
The Biological Embedding of Childhood Adversity: Neurodevelopment, Adaptation, and Clinical Reframing with Dr. Lisa Diamond
This continuing education course examines contemporary research on the biological embedding of childhood adversity and trauma, with an emphasis on how early experiences shape brain development, nervous system functioning, and long-term patterns of stress responsivity. Participants will review evidence demonstrating how different forms of adversity—including threat, deprivation, and unpredictability—produce distinct neurobiological adaptations across developmental periods. The course reframes childhood adversity from a deficit-based model to an adaptation-focused framework, highlighting how trauma-related changes reflect survival-oriented responses rather than pathology. Attention is given to developmental timing, relative stability versus malleability of adaptations, and the clinical implications for therapeutic intervention, resilience, and trauma-related growth.
Learning Objectives:
Explain the concept of biological embedding and describe how childhood adversity is associated with enduring changes in brain development and nervous system functioning.
Differentiate the neurodevelopmental effects of major classes of childhood adversity—threat, deprivation, and unpredictability—and explain how timing of exposure influences the stability or malleability of resulting adaptations.
Apply an adaptation-focused clinical framework that reframes trauma-related responses as functional survival adaptations, supporting client resilience, self-regulation, and trauma-related growth rather than deficit-based pathology.
AASECT CKA:
B. Developmental sexuality (bio-psycho-social, lifespan) – Focuses on how early adversity shapes neurodevelopment, stress responsivity, and long-term functioning.
H. Health/medical factors that may influence sexuality including…sexual trauma… – Covers the neurobiological and trauma-related health impacts of childhood adversity.
J. Sexual exploitation including sexual abuse, sexual harassment and sexual assault – Addresses the effects of childhood trauma, abuse, and adversity on development and relational functioning.
AASECT ST:
A. Theory & methods of sex-related psychotherapy (models)
Psychedelics and the 4-D Wheel, Part 2
Expand Your Clinical Practice. Deepen Your Impact. Transform How You Approach Healing.
Are you ready to move beyond symptom checklists into the full depth of what healing can look like?
Traditional mental health frameworks are powerful — but they were never designed to reach the places where trauma, grief, and existential pain truly live: in the body, the heart, the spirit, and the stories we tell ourselves. That's exactly where this training takes you.
You'll explore how psychedelic-assisted therapies — including ketamine, psilocybin, and MDMA — are producing remarkable outcomes, and why they work at a neurobiological level. Alongside the latest research, you'll be introduced to the 4-D Wheel, an indigenous integrative model by Dr. Gina Ogden, offering a deeply human framework for guiding clients through preparation and integration across body, heart, mind, and spirit.
You'll leave with trauma-responsive tools, cultural frameworks that honor the whole person, and the confidence to navigate ethics and emerging research in this rapidly evolving field.
Learning Objectives:
Describe current scientific findings related to neuroplasticity, brain network connectivity, and emotional learning that help explain therapeutic effects observed in psychedelic-assisted therapies.
Identify how the 4-D Wheel framework can support trauma-informed preparation and integration by organizing somatic, emotional, cognitive, and meaning-based experiences.
Apply culturally responsive and ethically grounded strategies that honor indigenous knowledge systems while remaining within professional scope of practice.
AASECT CKA:
A. Ethics and ethical behavior.
N. Learning theory and its application.
O. Professional communication and personal reflection skills.
AASECT ST:
A. Theory and methods of sex-related psychotherapy, including several different models.
C. Theory and methods of approach to intervention in relationship systems experiencing sex and intimacy problems
Safety & Health Considerations in BDSM, Kink, and Anal Play
This is a two-part training series - Participants may choose to purchase either one or both parts.
Interactive synchronous distance course [online via Zoom]
Register by Monday, May 11, 2026
Certificates will be provided digitally at the end of each course.
Part 1: Make It Hurt So Good: Safety & Health Considerations in BDSM & Kink
2:00-3:00 PM MST
Are your clients bringing BDSM and kink into the conversation — and you're not sure how to respond? This course gives you the tools to change that. Designed for clinical and medical health providers, this training builds the foundational knowledge and practical skills you need to address BDSM and kink-related topics with confidence, competence, and compassion. You'll explore common practices, real physical health risks, and evidence-based harm-reduction strategies — all grounded in a culturally sensitive, client-centered framework. Walk away ready to identify potential injuries, apply harm-reduction principles in your practice, and respond to warning signs with the clinical confidence your clients deserve. Don't let discomfort or unfamiliarity stand between your clients and the quality care they need.
Learning Objectives:
Identify potential physical health risks associated with some common BDSM/kink practices
Apply a physical harm-reduction framework to BDSM/kink activities by evaluating motivation, potential risks, and strategies to reduce injury without dismissing participant goals.
Recognize warning signs of unsafe practices or injury that may arise from BDSM/kink activities and understand appropriate healthcare responses.
Part II: Getting To The Bottom Of It: Safety & Health Considerations In Anal Play
3:00-4:00 PM MST
Your clients are having anal sex — are you prepared to talk about it? This course gives you the knowledge and confidence to meet them where they are. Designed for clinical and medical health providers, this training breaks down the anatomy, physiology, and safety considerations of anal sexuality in a clear, practical, and affirming way. You'll explore the structures of the anal canal, rectum, pelvic floor, and surrounding neurovascular systems — and learn exactly how they relate to sexual function, comfort, and safety. Whether your clients are curious, experiencing discomfort, or navigating injury, you'll walk away equipped to engage with confidence, compassion, and clinical competence. Stop leaving this conversation at the door — your clients deserve a provider who won't.
Learning Objectives:
Describe the relevant anatomy and physiology of the anal canal, rectum, sphincters, pelvic floor, and surrounding neurovascular structures as they relate to anal play.
Recognize potential medical risks and injuries associated with anal play
Discuss the role of the pelvic floor muscles and anal sphincters in receptive anal activity and how pelvic floor dysfunction (hypertonicity, dyssynergia, weakness) may influence safety and comfort
About the presenter:
Dan Johnson is a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), Certified Pelvic Rehab Specialist (PRPC), and is currently working towards certification as a Sex Counselor through AASECT. He and his wife McKenzie are proud parents of 3 beautiful children and owners of Keystone Physical Therapy, a specialty pelvic floor clinic offering entirely one-on-one and specialized Pelvic Floor care. His areas of specialty include the resolution of persistent pain patterns and sexual health. He is passionate about making the highest quality care in sexual health and complex pain accessible to people of all genders.
Integrate Sexual Health Principles into Clinical Work with Clients Engaging in Sex/Drug-Linked Behaviors, part 2
Integrate Sexual Health Principles into Clinical Work with Clients Engaging in Sex/Drug-Linked Behaviors, part 2
This three-part series will focus on sex/drug linked behavior. Based on a curriculum that was successfully implemented and evaluated at Stepping Stone, a drug and alcohol treatment program in San Diego, this series will support therapists in understanding and integrating basic sexual health principles into their work. Therapists will have an overall understanding of sex/drug linked behavior and recognize when a referral to an addiction treatment center is appropriate.
Through engaging lectures, guided reflection, interactive exercises, and expert feedback, participants will build confidence and clinical skill in supporting clients’ growth and transformation. Presented in collaboration with Kristin B. Hodson, LCSW, CST, CST-S.
Learning Objectives:
Explain the relationship between substance use and sexual behavior
Integrate sexual health principles into assessment and treatment planning
Recognize when referral to specialized addiction treatment is appropriate to support recovery and sexual well-being.
AASECT Core Knowledge Areas
H. Health/medical factors that may influence sexuality including, but not limited to, illness, disability, drugs, mental health, conception, pregnancy, childbirth, pregnancy termination, contraception, fertility, HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted infection, other infections, sexual trauma, injury and safer sex practices.
J. Sexual exploitation including sexual abuse, sexual harassment and sexual assault.
L. Substance use/abuse and sexuality.
AASECT Sex Therapy Skills Training
A. Theory and methods of sex-related psychotherapy, including several different models.
Still here, still sexy; clinical considerations for working with aging populations
IMPORTANT: THIS EVENT IS TAKING PLACE IN THE LGBTQ THERAPIST'S GUILD AND IS NOT HOSTED BY THE HEALING GROUP INSTITUTE.
Kristin Hodson is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, AASECT Certified Sex Therapist and Sex Therapist Supervisor, Founder and Executive Director of The Healing Group and co-author of “Real Intimacy: A Couples Guide for Genuine, Healthy Sexuality.” (Cedar Fort, 2011). The purpose of this training is to expand our knowledge and understanding of sexuality and aging—with a focus on the unique experiences of LGBTQ+ older adults—while also challenging both our personal and professional biases and assumptions. Together, we’ll explore how ageism and heteronormativity intersect in healthcare settings, how a lack of provider training in sexual health contributes to the “pleasure gap,” and how persistent myths—such as the belief that older adults are asexual or uninterested in sex—fuel loneliness, invisibility, and mental health challenges in aging populations. Special attention will be given to how these dynamics are further complicated for LGBTQ+ individuals, who often face a lifetime of stigma, inadequate care, and isolation as they age.
In order to participate, please sign up for The LGBTQ Therapist’s Guild here: https://www.lgbtqtherapists.com/
Natural Modes of Healing: The Psychobiology of Nature, Movement, Rhythm, and Connection with Dr. Lisa Diamond
This continuing education course examines the psychobiological foundations of natural and accessible modes of healing, including exposure to nature, movement, rhythmic activity, animal-assisted experiences, play, and shared social connection. Drawing on interdisciplinary research from psychology, neuroscience, anthropology, and developmental science, the course explores how these experiences regulate the nervous system, promote resilience, and support emotional well-being—particularly during periods of collective stress, loss, and limited access to formal healthcare services. Participants will review evidence demonstrating that practices such as walking, rhythmic movement, awe-based experiences, and human–animal interaction are not merely adjunctive or recreational, but constitute legitimate, evolutionarily grounded mechanisms of self-regulation and healing. The course emphasizes practical integration of these approaches into clinical work and daily life, while recognizing individual differences in accessibility, preference, and neurodiversity.
Learning Objectives:
Describe the psychobiological mechanisms through which nature exposure, movement, rhythm, and human–animal interaction support nervous system regulation and emotional well-being.
Explain how evolutionarily grounded healing practices such as walking, rhythmic movement, play, and experiences of awe function as accessible, non-clinical modes of healing across diverse populations.
Identify and apply practical strategies for integrating natural modes of healing into therapeutic work and daily life, with attention to individual differences, accessibility needs, and neurodivergent experiences.
AASECT CKA:
B. Developmental sexuality (bio-psycho-social, lifespan)
C. Socio-cultural and familial factors
H. Health/medical factors that may influence sexuality including…sexual trauma…
O. Professional communication and personal reflection skills
AASECT ST:
A. Theory & methods of sex-related psychotherapy
Integrate Sexual Health Principles into Clinical Work with Clients Engaging in Sex/Drug-Linked Behaviors, part 3
Integrate Sexual Health Principles into Clinical Work with Clients Engaging in Sex/Drug-Linked Behaviors, part 3
This three-part series will focus on sex/drug linked behavior. Based on a curriculum that was successfully implemented and evaluated at Stepping Stone, a drug and alcohol treatment program in San Diego, this series will support therapists in understanding and integrating basic sexual health principles into their work. Therapists will have an overall understanding of sex/drug linked behavior and recognize when a referral to an addiction treatment center is appropriate.
Through engaging lectures, guided reflection, interactive exercises, and expert feedback, participants will build confidence and clinical skill in supporting clients’ growth and transformation. Presented in collaboration with Kristin B. Hodson, LCSW, CST, CST-S.
Learning Objectives:
Explain the relationship between substance use and sexual behavior
Integrate sexual health principles into assessment and treatment planning
Recognize when referral to specialized addiction treatment is appropriate to support recovery and sexual well-being.
AASECT Core Knowledge Areas
H. Health/medical factors that may influence sexuality including, but not limited to, illness, disability, drugs, mental health, conception, pregnancy, childbirth, pregnancy termination, contraception, fertility, HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted infection, other infections, sexual trauma, injury and safer sex practices.
J. Sexual exploitation including sexual abuse, sexual harassment and sexual assault.
L. Substance use/abuse and sexuality.
AASECT Sex Therapy Skills Training
A. Theory and methods of sex-related psychotherapy, including several different models.
Exploring the Reconciliation and Growth Project Document: Clinical Common Ground for Gender, Sexual, and Faith Diversity, with an emphasis on working with Gender Diversity
IMPORTANT: THIS EVENT IS TAKING PLACE IN THE LGBTQ THERAPIST'S GUILD AND IS NOT HOSTED BY THE HEALING GROUP INSTITUTE.
Since 2012, various members of the Reconciliation and Growth Project have been meeting twice a month to dialogue and find common ground on issues related to sexual, gender, and faith diversity. Members have included clinicians, academics, and educators with differing views on topics such as conversion therapy, same-sex marriage, and medical transitioning. This presentation will share the history and process of this collaborative effort to reduce polarization and highlight clinical recommendations designed to help a broad range of clinicians avoid harm, promote self-determination, reduce trauma and minority stress, build resilience, and foster meaningful human connection.
In order to participate, please sign up for The LGBTQ Therapist’s Guild here: https://www.lgbtqtherapists.com/
Birthsmarter Pro: Childbirth Education for Clinicians Supporting Reproductive Health, part 2 with Ashley Brichter
The purpose of this training is to enhance perinatal mental health and sexual health practitioners’ understanding of childbirth physiology, contemporary birth practices in the United States, and the psychosocial context in which pregnancy, labor, and the postpartum period unfold. Birthsmarter PRO introduces clinicians to the Birthsmarter Framework—a trauma-informed, non-binary, critical-thinking approach to childbirth education—designed to support realistic expectation-setting, nuanced communication, and patient-centered advocacy within clinical scope of practice.
As maternal mortality, pelvic health complications, and perinatal mood and anxiety disorders continue to rise, mental health professionals occupy a uniquely trusted role in preparing clients for birth and postpartum recovery. However, well-intentioned practitioners may unintentionally reinforce fear-based narratives, outdated assumptions, or overly idealized portrayals of birth. This training offers a reframing of birth education that moves beyond fearmongering and toxic positivity, equipping clinicians with language, context, and conceptual tools to help clients navigate uncertainty, complexity, and individual circumstance with greater confidence and emotional safety.
Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of birth physiology, the historical and systemic forces shaping perinatal care, and practical strategies for integrating childbirth education concepts into therapeutic work—enhancing their ability to support informed decision-making, emotional regulation, and embodied agency throughout the perinatal period.
Learning Objectives:
Communicate more effectively with perinatal clients by applying the Three Actions of Physiological Birth and using precise, non-alarmist, non-idealized language that supports emotional safety and informed consent.
Think critically about birth culture and clinical narratives, including the history of obstetrics in the U.S., systemic inequities in maternal health, and the impact of practitioner bias on client expectations and experiences.
Provide empathetic, individualized support through intentional language choices and strategies that meet clients where they are emotionally, relationally, and culturally.
Identify and utilize curated perinatal resources to enhance clinical care for pregnant and postpartum clients and strengthen referral networks.
AASECT CKA:
C. Socio-cultural, familial factors (e.g., ethnicity, culture, religion, spirituality, socioeconomic status, family values) in relation to sexual values and behaviors.
G. Sexual and reproductive anatomy/physiology.
H. Health/medical factors that may influence sexuality including, but not limited to, illness, disability, drugs, mental health, conception, pregnancy, childbirth, pregnancy termination, contraception, fertility, HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted infection, other infections, sexual trauma, injury and safer sex practices.
AASECT ST:
F. Ethical decision-making and best practice.
Name & Sex/Gender-Marker Changes in Utah
IMPORTANT: THIS EVENT IS TAKING PLACE IN THE LGBTQ THERAPIST'S GUILD AND IS NOT HOSTED BY THE HEALING GROUP INSTITUTE.
Chris Wharton has represented clients in more name and sex/gender-marker cases than any other attorney in Utah. Chris also won the Utah Supreme Court case that set statewide standards for name and name and sex/gender-marker changes. This presentation will cover the legal processes and applicable statutes for name and sex/gender-marker changes. We will also discuss the medical and psychological evidence courts typically consider in these proceedings. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions about these processes and how medical health providers can help set their patients up for success in court.
In order to participate, please sign up for The LGBTQ Therapist’s Guild here: https://www.lgbtqtherapists.com/
Sexual Health Series for Mental Health Professionals: Navigating Stages of Change in Sexual Health, part 3 with Doug Braun-Harvey, LMFT, CGP, CST-S, CST
Navigating Stages of Change in Sexual Health, part 3
This three-part series explores the stages of change as they relate to sexual health and out-of-control sexual behavior. Therapists will gain practical strategies to assess where clients are in their journey and apply evidence-based interventions tailored to each stage.
Through engaging lectures, guided reflection, interactive exercises, and expert feedback, participants will build confidence and clinical skill in supporting clients’ growth and transformation. Presented in collaboration with Kristin B. Hodson, LCSW, CST, CST-S.
Learning Objectives:
Identify and describe the stages of change as they relate to sexual health and out-of-control sexual behavior
Differentiate client presentations across stages
Apply developmentally and clinically appropriate interventions that promote movement toward sexual health and self-regulation.
AASECT Core Knowledge Areas
A. Ethics and ethical behavior.
B. Developmental sexuality from a bio-psycho-social perspective across the life course.
C. Socio-cultural, familial factors (e.g., ethnicity, culture, religion, spirituality, socioeconomic status, family values) in relation to sexual values and behaviors.
D. Issues related to sexual orientation and/or gender identity: heterosexuality; issues and themes impacting lesbian, gay, bisexual, pansexual, asexual people; gender identity and expression.
E. Intimacy skills (e.g., social, emotional, sexual), intimate relationships, interpersonal relationships and family dynamics.
F. Diversities in sexual expression and lifestyles including, but not limited to, polyamory, swinging, BDSM and tantra.
H. Health/medical factors that may influence sexuality including, but not limited to, illness, disability, drugs, mental health, conception, pregnancy, childbirth, pregnancy termination, contraception, fertility, HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted infection, other infections, sexual trauma, injury and safer sex practices.
J. Sexual exploitation including sexual abuse, sexual harassment and sexual assault.
L. Substance use/abuse and sexuality.
AASECT Sex Therapy Skills Training
A. Theory and methods of sex-related psychotherapy, including several different models.
Birthsmarter Pro: Childbirth Education for Clinicians Supporting Reproductive Health, part 1 with Ashley Brichter
The purpose of this training is to enhance perinatal mental health and sexual health practitioners’ understanding of childbirth physiology, contemporary birth practices in the United States, and the psychosocial context in which pregnancy, labor, and the postpartum period unfold. Birthsmarter PRO introduces clinicians to the Birthsmarter Framework—a trauma-informed, non-binary, critical-thinking approach to childbirth education—designed to support realistic expectation-setting, nuanced communication, and patient-centered advocacy within clinical scope of practice.
As maternal mortality, pelvic health complications, and perinatal mood and anxiety disorders continue to rise, mental health professionals occupy a uniquely trusted role in preparing clients for birth and postpartum recovery. However, well-intentioned practitioners may unintentionally reinforce fear-based narratives, outdated assumptions, or overly idealized portrayals of birth. This training offers a reframing of birth education that moves beyond fearmongering and toxic positivity, equipping clinicians with language, context, and conceptual tools to help clients navigate uncertainty, complexity, and individual circumstance with greater confidence and emotional safety.
Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of birth physiology, the historical and systemic forces shaping perinatal care, and practical strategies for integrating childbirth education concepts into therapeutic work—enhancing their ability to support informed decision-making, emotional regulation, and embodied agency throughout the perinatal period.
Learning Objectives:
Communicate more effectively with perinatal clients by applying the Three Actions of Physiological Birth and using precise, non-alarmist, non-idealized language that supports emotional safety and informed consent.
Think critically about birth culture and clinical narratives, including the history of obstetrics in the U.S., systemic inequities in maternal health, and the impact of practitioner bias on client expectations and experiences.
Provide empathetic, individualized support through intentional language choices and strategies that meet clients where they are emotionally, relationally, and culturally.
Identify and utilize curated perinatal resources to enhance clinical care for pregnant and postpartum clients and strengthen referral networks.
AASECT CKA:
C. Socio-cultural, familial factors (e.g., ethnicity, culture, religion, spirituality, socioeconomic status, family values) in relation to sexual values and behaviors.
G. Sexual and reproductive anatomy/physiology.
H. Health/medical factors that may influence sexuality including, but not limited to, illness, disability, drugs, mental health, conception, pregnancy, childbirth, pregnancy termination, contraception, fertility, HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted infection, other infections, sexual trauma, injury and safer sex practices.
AASECT ST:
F. Ethical decision-making and best practice.
Legal Pitfalls in Mental Health with Andrew Stravos, JD
Mental health clinicians are trained extensively in clinical theory and ethics, yet many receive minimal education on the legal realities of practice until a problem arises. This one-hour training is designed to proactively support therapists in understanding common legal pitfalls they may encounter in clinical practice, including documentation risks, confidentiality and mandated reporting issues, subpoenas and court involvement, boundary violations, and risk management strategies.
Drawing from real-world legal experience, this presentation will help clinicians better understand how to identify and deal with key legal issues. Participants will gain practical guidance on how to reduce legal risk, respond appropriately when legal concerns arise, and know when and how to seek legal consultation.
Learning Objectives:
Identify at least three common legal pitfalls mental health therapists may encounter in clinical practice, including documentation, confidentiality, and scope-of-practice concerns.
Differentiate between ethical obligations and legal requirements, and recognize situations in which legal consultation is warranted.
Apply practical risk-management strategies to reduce legal exposure while maintaining high standards of clinical care.
Play Therapy Concepts and the Perinatal Client with Ricci Howell, LCSW, PMH-C
Discover a fresh, engaging approach to supporting perinatal clients. This course invites you to expand your clinical toolkit by exploring how play therapy can become a powerful, practical lens for adult treatment—enhancing connection, insight, and healing in your work with perinatal clients. Through interactive lectures, live demonstrations, role-play experiences, and meaningful reflection, you’ll gain hands-on strategies you can use immediately. Walk away with increased confidence, concrete play-based tools, and a renewed sense of creativity and competence.
Learning Objectives:
Explain what play therapy is and how it can be a beneficial therapeutic lens for adults.
Understand the importance of play in the therapeutic process.
Identify at least 3 tools/techniques applicable to adult clients.
AASECT CKA:
H. Health/medical factors that may influence sexuality including, but not limited to, illness, disability, drugs, mental health, conception, pregnancy, childbirth, pregnancy termination, contraception, fertility, HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted infection, other infections, sexual trauma, injury and safer sex practices.
AASECT ST:
C. Theory and methods of approach to intervention in relationship systems experiencing sex and intimacy problems
Hello, Down There: Connecting the Dots about Chronic Pelvic Pain, MCAS, and Trauma Alexandra Milspaw, M.Ed., PhD, LPC, CST, BCH, PSSD
Chronic Pelvic Pain, Mast Cell Activation Syndrome, and trauma are three of the most commonly misunderstood, complex, and often co-occurring disorders that both behavioral health providers and medical health providers struggle to appropriately and accurately assess and treat. The primary goal of the presentation is to provide an effective, efficient, and comprehensive approach to not only understanding the common thread between chronic pelvic pain, MCAS, and trauma, but also how to educate and treat patients navigating these complex, and often co-occurring, disorders. Research from multiple fields, including psychoneuroimmunology, will be reviewed. Clinical knowledge, guidance on interdisciplinary care and collaboration, and clinical skills will be provided utilizing two complex case studies.
Learning Objectives:
Understand the common thread between Chronic Pelvic Pain, MCAS, and trauma
Explain how to simultaneously take a patient history and provide pain science education
Understand the key components of treating clients with Chronic Pelvic Pain, MCAS, and trauma
AASECT CKA:
A. Ethics and ethical behavior.
G. Sexual and reproductive anatomy/physiology.
H. Health/medical factors that may influence sexuality including, but not limited to, illness, disability, drugs, mental health, conception, pregnancy, childbirth, pregnancy termination, contraception, fertility, HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted infection, other infections, sexual trauma, injury and safer sex practices.
AASECT ST:
A. Theory and methods of sex-related psychotherapy, including several different models.
Becoming a Sleep Competent Therapist with Joe Dennis, MA, LCMHC, CCTP
Unlock a deeper understanding of sleep, circadian rhythm, and their powerful impact on mental health with this engaging, clinician-focused training designed to enhance your therapeutic practice. In this expert-led lecture, you’ll explore the fundamentals of sleep health and learn practical, evidence-informed strategies to help clients improve sleep satisfaction and overall well-being. As a unique bonus, the course introduces a simple, multi-tier approach to working with individual dream content—while thoughtfully honoring each client’s cultural background and lived experience. Through informative lectures, interactive discussion, and guided reflection, you’ll build confidence in addressing common sleep challenges such as insomnia, nightmares, and disrupted schedules, and gain practical tools including CBT-I strategies, sleep hygiene interventions, and an overview of supplements and medications.
Learning Objectives:
Understand how sleep impacts general health and what occurs during sleep cycles
Understand common problems (insomnia, nightmares, inconsistent schedules) and utilize interventions including CBT-I, sleep hygiene, supplements, and medications.
Develop a basic understanding of one approach toward dream analysis
AASECT CKA:
H. Health/medical factors that may influence sexuality including, but not limited to, illness, disability, drugs, mental health, conception, pregnancy, childbirth, pregnancy termination, contraception, fertility, HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted infection, other infections, sexual trauma, injury and safer sex practices.
N. Learning theory and its application.
AASECT ST:
A. Theory and methods of sex-related psychotherapy, including several different models.
Research Enthusiasts Society Series: Ok, What Is Gender? with Dr. Lisa Diamond
Move past outdated definitions. Gain the depth and clarity needed to support today’s diverse clients.
Gender is far more than a simple binary. It’s a complex, multidimensional concept shaped by biological, psychological, cultural, and social factors — and understanding this complexity is essential for competent, affirming clinical care.
In this insightful, research-informed session, Dr. Lisa Diamond, internationally recognized scholar on gender and sexual identity, guides mental health providers in broadening their conceptual framework of gender. You’ll explore the intersection of biological and non-biological influences, challenge narrow definitions, and learn to integrate a more nuanced understanding into everyday practice.
What You’ll Learn
Adopt a Broader Perspective on Gender
Expand your understanding beyond binary models to include biological, psychological, cultural, and social dimensions.Understand the Clinical Relevance of Gender Diversity
Recognize how nuanced gender understanding informs assessment, treatment planning, and therapeutic relationships.Differentiate Between Biological & Non-Biological Factors
Clarify how sex and gender interact and how these distinctions matter in clinical settings.Integrate Inclusive, Client-Centered Care
Apply expanded frameworks to foster more affirming, culturally responsive, and clinically sound treatment.
You Don’t Have to Be a Sex Therapist to Talk About Sex: Using the PLISSIT Model in Healthcare Settings and Clinical Practice with Kristin Hodson, LCSW, CST, CSTS
Gain the confidence and clarity to address sexual health concerns with professionalism, care, and ease. This engaging introductory training equips clinicians with practical tools to ethically integrate sexual health conversations into everyday practice using the widely respected PLISSIT Model. You’ll learn how to normalize discussions about sexuality, provide clear and appropriate education, offer limited clinical guidance within your scope, and confidently identify when a referral is needed—so you can better support your clients without overstepping boundaries.
Through expert-led instruction, dynamic discussions, and guided reflection, this course bridges theory and real-world clinical application. Participants will have opportunities to connect the material to their own experiences, ask questions, and practice using permission-giving language that reduces shame and builds trust. By the end of the training, you’ll walk away with a solid understanding of the PLISSIT Model, greater comfort addressing sexual health concerns, and concrete strategies you can immediately apply to enhance client care and therapeutic outcomes.
Learning Objectives:
Explain the PLISSIT Model framework
Identify appropriate levels of sexual health intervention
Use permission-giving language to reduce shame
Recognize when referral is clinically indicated
AASECT CKA:
N. Learning theory and its application.
AASECT ST:
A. Theory and methods of sex-related psychotherapy, including several different models.
F. Ethical decision-making and best practice.
How to Utilize Video Games and VR in Therapy: Harnessing the Intersection of Gaming Culture and LGBTQIA+ Communities
IMPORTANT: THIS EVENT IS TAKING PLACE IN THE LGBTQ THERAPIST'S GUILD AND IS NOT HOSTED BY THE HEALING GROUP INSTITUTE.
In 2023, the Electronic Software Association (ESA) found there were over 212 million people playing video games, and GLAAD uncovered that approximately 1 in 5 players identify as LGBTQ. The gaming industry is increasingly aware of those in the LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC communities as active players. Yet the gaming industry often inadequately represents, and at times, inadvertently fosters hostility towards these populations. In this digital age, it is paramount that clinicians better understand the nuances and intersections between gamer culture, its subdivisions, and the individuals and families they work with in therapy. Video games and VR inherently offer a variety of avenues for skills development and exploration of the self; from client engagement to narratives, internal worlds to external worlds, individual to family functioning, micro to macro systems. Through the practice of gamification and utilizing video games and virtual reality in therapy sessions, we have an opportunity for further understanding and working with our clients.
In order to participate, please sign up for The LGBTQ Therapist’s Guild here: https://www.lgbtqtherapists.com/
Sexuality Scholars Salon: Sexual Health Series for Mental Health Professionals with Doug Braun-Harvey, LMFT, CGP, CST-S, CST
Navigating Stages of Change in Sexual Health, part 2
This three-part series explores the stages of change as they relate to sexual health and out-of-control sexual behavior. Therapists will gain practical strategies to assess where clients are in their journey and apply evidence-based interventions tailored to each stage.
Through engaging lectures, guided reflection, interactive exercises, and expert feedback, participants will build confidence and clinical skill in supporting clients’ growth and transformation. Presented in collaboration with Kristin B. Hodson, LCSW, CST, CST-S.
What If My Yuck Is Your Yum? with Kristin Hodson, LCSW, CST, CSTS
What If My Yuck is Your Yum?
Learn how to help couples navigate kink–vanilla differences with curiosity, compassion, and practical tools. This training introduces kink-affirming sex therapy skills and the SPRINKLES framework to support partners in exploring sexual differences safely, reducing shame, and strengthening connection.
Led by Kristin B. Hodson, LCSW, CST, this session equips clinicians with strategies to normalize diverse sexual expression and enhance relational and sexual well-being.
Learning Objectives
Differentiate kink from pathology and utilize non-judgmental frameworks to assess sexual interests.
Apply relational and systemic tools to help couples/partners navigate kink–vanilla differences.
Integrate kink-affirming interventions into treatment planning to enhance sexual health and relational wellbeing.
AASECT CKA:
E: Intimacy skills (e.g., social, emotional, sexual), intimate relationships, interpersonal relationships and family dynamics.
F: Diversities in sexual expression and lifestyles including, but not limited to, polyamory, swinging, BDSM and tantra.
I: Range of sexual functioning and behavior, from optimal to problematic including, but not limited to, common issues such as: desire discrepancy, lack of desire, difficulty achieving or maintaining arousal, sexual pain, penetration problems and difficulty with orgasm.
AASECT ST:
C: Intervention theory/methods in relationship systems
Understanding Postpartum Rage and Anxiety with Ricci Howell, LCSW, PMH-C
Postpartum rage and anxiety are often misunderstood, overlooked, or misdiagnosed—yet they can significantly impact birthing individuals and their families. This engaging, expert-led training is designed for clinical mental health providers who want to deepen their understanding of these complex postpartum experiences and feel more confident addressing them in practice. Grounded in current research and delivered through an accessible online format, the course blends clear instruction, reflective exercises, and interactive discussion to connect theory to real-world clinical work.
Participants will learn how to recognize postpartum rage, understand its connection to anxiety, and apply practical, evidence-informed tools to help clients cope and reduce distress. The training emphasizes compassionate, inclusive, and client-centered care, rooted in social work values of dignity, human connection, and social justice—particularly for communities with limited access to specialized perinatal mental health services. Led by Ricci Howell, LCSW, a seasoned perinatal mental health clinician, this introductory course offers meaningful insight, practical strategies, and increased confidence for clinicians supporting clients during the postpartum period.
Learning Objectives:
Define and identify postpartum rage
Understand the connection between postpartum rage and anxiety
Identify 3 tools to use in practice with clients
AASECT CKA:
H: Health/medical factors that may influence sexuality including, but not limited to, illness, disability, drugs, mental health, conception, pregnancy, childbirth, pregnancy termination, contraception, fertility, HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted infection, other infections, sexual trauma, injury and safer sex practices.
It’s a Traps: Clinical Pitfalls and Consensual Non-Monogamies with Kelsey Eisenberg, CSW
Gain practical insights into the unique challenges faced by ethically non-monogamous individuals, relationships, and families, including the impact of structural barriers and minority stress, and learn how to apply this understanding in your clinical practice.
Learning Objectives:
At the end of this training series attendees will be able to:
Assess common challenges in the practice of CNM through three frameworks: PLISSIT, EFCT, and Family Systems.
Access resources to support their clients.
Research Enthusiasts Society Series: Mental Health of Family Members of LGBTQ Populations with Dr. Lisa Diamond
Help families move from fear and uncertainty toward understanding, resilience, and support.
Families play a central role in the well-being of transgender and gender-diverse individuals — yet parents and family members often navigate profound uncertainty, cultural stigma, and their own complex emotional responses. This insightful, research-informed training gives clinical mental health providers the tools to understand, support, and empower families as they journey alongside their transgender and gender-diverse loved ones.
Led by Lisa Diamond, Ph.D. — internationally recognized researcher and professor of Psychology and Gender Studies at the University of Utah — this course goes beyond surface-level affirmations to explore the real-world dynamics that shape family experiences.
It's a Traps: Cultural Considerations and Consensual Non-Monogamies with Kelsey Eisenberg, CSW
Supporting Ethically Non-Monogamous Clients
Explore the unique challenges of ethically non-monogamous individuals, relationships, and families. Gain practical skills to identify biases, assess minority stress, and apply clinical frameworks while delivering inclusive, culturally sensitive care.
Queer/Trans Intimate Partner Violence
IMPORTANT: THIS EVENT IS TAKING PLACE IN THE LGBTQ THERAPIST'S GUILD AND IS NOT HOSTED BY THE HEALING GROUP INSTITUTE.
In our current moment in the United States, the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) people are under threat. For LGBTQ+ survivors of relationship abuse or “intimate partner violence” (IPV), the erosion of human rights shapes IPV risk and abuse dynamics, as well as barriers to safety. For those that do seek help, research finds that they are most likely to turn to friends and mental health providers. As such, clinicians often represent the first and only trained professionals to serve queer and trans survivors of IPV, and are thereby uniquely positioned to guide healing from and coping with trauma. In support of their important work, you are invited to a talk on this research literature by Dr. Adam Messinger, author of LGBTQ Intimate Partner Violence: Lessons for Policy, Practice, & Research (2017, University of California Press) and co-editor of Transgender Intimate Partner Violence: A Comprehensive Introduction (2020, New York University Press). By unlearning common myths, and uncovering unique causes, identity abuse tactics, and sequelae of LGBTQ+ IPV, we will identify concrete steps toward building more inclusive, efficacious mental health services for trans and queer survivors of IPV.
In order to participate, please sign up for The LGBTQ Therapist’s Guild here: https://www.lgbtqtherapists.com/
Sexuality Scholars Salon: Sexual Health Series for Mental Health Professionals with Doug Braun-Harvey, LMFT, CGP, CST-S, CST
Navigating Stages of Change in Sexual Health, part 1
This three-part series explores the stages of change as they relate to sexual health and out-of-control sexual behavior. Therapists will gain practical strategies to assess where clients are in their journey and apply evidence-based interventions tailored to each stage.
Through engaging lectures, guided reflection, interactive exercises, and expert feedback, participants will build confidence and clinical skill in supporting clients’ growth and transformation. Presented in collaboration with Kristin B. Hodson, LCSW, CST, CST-S.
Supporting Perinatal Fathers with Braxton Dutson, LCSW, CST
While maternal perinatal and postpartum care has been a focus in recent years in research. Fathers are frequently allowed to live out of the spotlight. Research is suggesting that father’s mental health has a significant effect on a child during the postpartum period. Fathers are also likely to develop clinically significant mental health issues during this life transition. Engaging fathers during this period is important and we are going to explore what supports appear to help them more than others.
Learning Objectives:
At the conclusion of this training series attendees will be able to:
1. Name two methods of supporting fathers in engaging in their own mental health support
2. Identify one supportive approach to engaging in mental health support of himself and his partner
3. Reflect on reasons why fathers are frequently forgotten in therapy, and why they deny their personal needs in the name of supporting their children and partner.
Ketamine 101 with Nathan Unkefer, MD and Shandell Pino
Explore Ketamine in Mental Health Care
This training gives clinicians a clear, accessible introduction to ketamine-assisted treatment. Participants learn how ketamine works, how to prepare clients, what to expect during a session, and how to support integration afterward.
Through expert instruction, discussion, and observed role-play, attendees gain practical skills and greater confidence in navigating this emerging modality. The course emphasizes safety, ethics, and cultural humility, helping providers create supportive environments where clients can explore healing with respect and dignity.
The Power of Play for Adults: Playfulness in Therapy with Ashley Arnett, LCSW, CSE
Bring More Joy Into the Therapy Room
This training shows clinicians how playfulness and humor can deepen rapport, reduce shame, and create new therapeutic pathways. Participants will learn to use levity authentically and ethically, and explore when humor supports treatment—and when it may not.
The course provides practical strategies for bringing more delight and creativity into sessions, along with tools to encourage clients to engage with playfulness in their lives outside therapy. Through dynamic lecture and guided reflection, attendees gain confidence, skills, and a fresh perspective on what is possible in clinical work.
Led by Ashley Arnett, LCSW and AASECT-certified sex educator, this training offers a compassionate, culturally aware approach rooted in the healing power of human connection.
Embodied Spirit Collective: The 4 Dimensional Wheel of Sexual and Spiritual Health with Kamara McAndrews
The 4 Dimensional Wheel of Sexual and Spiritual Health
Learning Objectives:
At the conclusion of this training series attendees will be able to:
Participants will be able to discuss cultural considerations when working with
clients in the 4-D Wheel, incorporating cultural sensitivity into their approach.
Participants will identify at least 3 ways the 4-D wheel can be a beneficial tool
when working with Individuals, couples and/or groups.
Participants will be able to explain one key difference between the 4-D wheel
approach to understanding sexual health issues compared with cognitive
behavioral models.
AASECT CKA:
A. Ethics and ethical behavior.
B. Developmental sexuality from a bio-psycho-social perspective across the life course.
C. Socio-cultural, familial factors (e.g., ethnicity, culture, religion, spirituality, socioeconomic status, family values) in relation to sexual values and behaviors.
D. Issues related to sexual orientation and/or gender identity: heterosexuality; issues and themes impacting lesbian, gay, bisexual, pansexual, asexual people; gender identity and expression.
E. Intimacy skills (e.g., social, emotional, sexual), intimate relationships, interpersonal relationships and family dynamics.
M. Pleasure enhancement skills.
AASECT ST:
A. Theory and methods of sex-related psychotherapy, including several different models.
C. Theory and methods of approach to intervention in relationship systems experiencing sex and intimacy problems
Perinatal Obsessive Compulsive Disorder with Monica Ashton, LCSW, PMH-C, CST
Enhance your clinical practice with this essential training on Perinatal Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Led by Monica Ashton, LCSW, PMH-C, CST, this 1-hour session will equip you with foundational knowledge to confidently identify, diagnose, and explore treatment options for perinatal OCD in your clients.
What You'll Learn:
Identify Symptoms: Gain a clear understanding of the unique manifestations of perinatal OCD.
Master Diagnosis: Learn to utilize screening tools and diagnostic criteria effectively.
Explore Treatment: Discover key resources for further learning and training in perinatal OCD interventions.
Clinical Crossroads: Clinical approaches to addressing intersectionality with clients from marginalized communities
IMPORTANT: THIS EVENT IS TAKING PLACE IN THE LGBTQ THERAPIST'S GUILD AND IS NOT HOSTED BY THE HEALING GROUP INSTITUTE.
Systems Theory teaches us that our clients do not live in a vacuum. Many clients hold memberships in multiple marginalized groups, and the impact of the intersection of those various memberships often motivates clients to seek clinical help. In this presentation, J. Tekulvē Flower de Jackson-Vann, LMFT will share clinical and personal insights into working more effectively with clients from marginalized communities. He will share clinical approaches based on his nearly two decades of clinical experience in various clinical settings and his lived experience as a Black, queer, LDS-adjacent male living in the Intermountain West.
In order to participate, please sign up for The LGBTQ Therapist’s Guild here: https://www.lgbtqtherapists.com/
4-D Consultation
Join fellow practitioners of the 4D Wheel for a dynamic, supportive consultation hour designed to deepen your integration of this model in clinical practice. This guided consultation provides space to explore real-world applications, share case insights, and refine your use of the 4D Wheel framework in therapy. Together, we’ll strengthen clinical intuition, expand perspective-taking, and enhance your ability to hold clients’ experiences across all dimensions—Doing, Thinking, Feeling, and Being.
Whether you’re seeking clarity on a complex case or looking to stay grounded in your own growth as a practitioner, this hour offers both professional nourishment and community connection.
The 4-D Consultation takes place on the second Friday of every month at 9:00 a.m. MST.
FemTech
Discover how menstrual and sexual health technologies are transforming client care and communication.
In today’s evolving health landscape, clients increasingly turn to their therapists and healthcare providers for guidance on menstrual care, sexual wellness, and body literacy. Integrating Femtech into mental health practice equips clinical professionals with the knowledge and confidence to engage in these conversations with accuracy, inclusivity, and compassion.
Led by nationally recognized sex educator April Davis, this dynamic training bridges the gap between technology, health, and human sexuality education. Participants will explore the latest innovations in femtech—from menstrual cups and absorbent underwear to pleasure-focused devices designed for safety, accessibility, and empowerment. Through engaging lectures, live demonstrations, and guided reflection, you’ll gain hands-on familiarity with products that influence comfort, confidence, and client well-being.
This course emphasizes cultural sensitivity and professional integrity, inviting participants to examine their own assumptions while learning how to create shame-free, culturally responsive spaces for clients of all genders and backgrounds.
Sexuality Scholars Salon: Case Application, part 2
This dynamic, interactive training gives healthcare professionals a real-time learning experience to build comfort, skill, and confidence in addressing one of the most essential yet often overlooked areas of patient care: sexual health.
Led by Doug Braun-Harvey, LMFT, CST, CSTS — internationally recognized sex therapist, author, and educator — this course combines cutting-edge knowledge with hands-on practice to empower providers to create safe, affirming, and client-centered conversations about sexuality.