Presenter: Kristin B. Hodson, LCSW, CST, CST-S
Date: October 22, 2026 | 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM MST
Format: Live, synchronous webinar | 1 hour
Instructional Level: Intermediate
Target Audience: Clinical Mental Health Providers
CE Credits: 1 CE credit
Certificates Available: ASWB/ACE, AASECT, THGI
Course Description
This training walks clinicians through the first three sessions with a sex therapy client, offering a practical framework for moving beyond simply gathering a sexual history toward an initial, collaborative case formulation. Participants will explore how to assess a presenting sexual concern within the client’s broader sexual, relational, developmental, medical, and cultural context, while keeping consent, relational safety, sexual health, pleasure, and client strengths in view.
The session also examines how to identify the meaning clients have assigned to their sexual concerns, how to consider who in the system experiences the concern as a problem, and how to distinguish an immediate presenting crisis from longer-standing patterns that may be contributing to or maintaining sexual distress. Participants will leave with concrete questions and assessment strategies they can use in the first three sessions with sex therapy clients.
Learning Objectives
At the conclusion of this training, attendees will be able to:
Identify key components of a comprehensive initial sex therapy assessment, including presenting concerns, sexual and relational history, consent and safety, sexual health, medical and medication factors, pleasure, and strengths.
Apply assessment strategies that explore a client’s sexual concern within its relational and contextual environment, including identifying who experiences the concern as problematic and the meaning assigned to the concern.
Differentiate between an acute presenting sexual or relational crisis and longer-standing patterns that may contribute to or maintain sexual distress in order to develop an initial direction for treatment.
Limitations, Risks, & Benefits
This training presents a limited amount of information; clinicians who desire additional depth are encouraged to seek out supplemental resources and peer-reviewed literature on this topic. The training is delivered via an online platform, and no risks are anticipated beyond those typically associated with online learning environments. The evidence base for this content may have limitations in generalizability across diverse populations, cultures, or practice settings, and some topics addressed involve contradictory evidence; differing perspectives and their sources will be presented. Benefits include foundational knowledge and practical skills that build on participants’ existing training, along with the promotion of compassionate, inclusive care and reduced discomfort when addressing topics related to diversity, cultural differences, and individual role differences.
Cultural Sensitivity
This training explicitly addresses the influence of culture, race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, language, and socioeconomic status on how clients understand and present sexual concerns. Participants are invited to recognize and examine their own unconscious biases, to reflect on how their cultural background and professional training shape their clinical practice, and to consider how implicit bias may affect assessment, case formulation, and treatment planning. The session offers strategies for providing culturally responsive and affirming care across diverse client populations and promotes the use of inclusive, affirming, and non-stigmatizing language in sex therapy assessment.
Course Content
This training presents intermediate-level content that builds on existing clinical knowledge and practical experience. Delivered through lecture and didactic instruction with large group discussion and facilitated dialogue, the session covers the structure and goals of the first three sex therapy sessions, comprehensive and contextual assessment of sexual concerns, and the application of trauma-informed approaches throughout the early assessment process.
Relevance
This training addresses content directly applicable to clinical social work practice, including assessment, intervention, and treatment planning, as well as to nonclinical practice in which professionals encounter clients’ sexual and relational concerns. It builds on foundational knowledge gained through a completed graduate-level degree in social work, counseling, or a related mental health field, reflects ethical responsibilities outlined in the NASW Code of Ethics, and draws on assessment and intervention methods supported by current peer-reviewed evidence. The training is relevant to professionals across mental health disciplines, including licensed social workers, licensed professional counselors, and marriage and family therapists, who are beginning or strengthening their work with sex therapy clients.
About the Presenter
Kristin B. Hodson, LCSW, CST, CST-S, is the founder of The Healing Group, a Utah-based therapy practice, and an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist and Certified Sex Therapist Supervisor. She earned her Master of Social Work from the University of Utah with a clinical and medical emphasis and has practiced as a psychotherapist since 2006, specializing in healthy sexuality and maternal mental health. Kristin is co-author of Real Intimacy: A Couples’ Guide to Healthy, Genuine Sexuality and founded the Rocky Mountain Sex Summit. She regularly trains medical and mental health professionals and is known for bringing practical, consent-centered frameworks into the therapy room.
Course Details
Delivery method: Live webinar via the Institute learning platform
Course interactivity: Lecture and didactic instruction with large group discussion and facilitated dialogue
Posttest/quiz: Because this is a live course, a standard posttest is not required. Participation will be monitored throughout the session.
Certificate issuance: Certificates of credit will be issued immediately after course completion to participants who attend the full session and complete the course evaluation.
Contact for questions: institute@thehealinggroup.com
Accessibility accommodations: To request accessibility accommodations, please contact institute@thehealinggroup.com prior to the event. We are committed to making our trainings accessible to all participants.
Registration
Register online at thehealinggroupinstitute.com. Refunds are not available. Full refund and cancellation policy is available on the website.
Commercial Support & Conflict of Interest Disclosure
No commercial entity has provided funding or support for this course. Kristin B. Hodson has no relevant conflicts of interest to disclose.
Credit Eligibility
This course is not offered for psychologist (APA) continuing education credit, and it is not eligible for UMHCA or UAMFT credit.
ASWB ACE Statement
The Healing Group Institute, provider number 2716, 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: 3/31/26 – 3/31/27. Social workers completing this course receive 1 continuing education credit.
AASECT CKA
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.
AASECT ST
B. Techniques of sex-related assessment and diagnosis of the “Psychosexual Disorders” described in the current edition of the DSM.
C. Theory and methods of approach to intervention in relationship systems experiencing sex and intimacy problems.
This program meets the requirements of the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT) and is approved for CE credits. These CE credits may be applied toward AASECT certification and renewal of certification. Completion of this program does not ensure or guarantee AASECT certification. For further information please contact info@aasect.org.
References
Arenella, K., Girard, A., & Connor, J. (2024). Desire discrepancy in long-term relationships: A qualitative study with diverse couples. Family Process, 63(3), 1201–1216.
Buehler, S. (2021). What every mental health professional needs to know about sex (3rd ed.). Springer Publishing Company.
Clark, A. N., Walters, T. L., & Lefkowitz, E. S. (2024). “It’s an ongoing discussion about desire”: Adults’ strategies for managing sexual and affectionate desire discrepancies in romantic relationships. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 50(3), 669–686.
McClung, E., Rosen, N. O., Dubé, J. P., Wang, G. A., & Corsini-Munt, S. (2024). Motivation when desire is low: Associations between sexual motivation and sexual intimacy, sexual satisfaction, and sexual distress for men with hypoactive sexual desire disorder and their partners. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 53(3), 1075–1089.
Roy, N. (2022). The use of Indigenous research methodologies in counselling: Responsibility, respect, relationality, and reciprocity. First Peoples Child & Family Review, 17(1), 3–19.
Tuncer, M., & Yeşiltepe Oskay, Ü. (2022). Sexual counseling with the PLISSIT model: A systematic review. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 48(3), 309–318.
Wendt, D. C., Huson, K., Albatnuni, M., & Gone, J. P. (2022). What are the best practices for psychotherapy with Indigenous peoples in the United States and Canada? A thorny question. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 90(10), 802–814.