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From Sexual Trauma to Sexual Health: Healing, Pleasure, and Body Reconnection
Presenter: Monica Ashton, LCSW, PMH-C, CST
Date: August 11, 2026 | 2:00 PM MST
Format: Live, synchronous webinar | 1 hour
Content Level: Intermediate
Target Audience: Clinical Mental Health Providers, Medical Providers, Health Providers
CE Credits: 1 continuing education credit
Certificates Available: ASWB/NASW, AASECT, THGI
Course Description
This training offers therapists an evidence-based framework for supporting survivors beyond symptom reduction and toward embodied healing, erotic agency, and sexual wellbeing. Drawing on peer-reviewed research, participants will explore the neuroscience of somatic reconnection, consent as a body-based clinical skill, and pleasure-positive interventions including trauma-modified sensate focus, pleasure mapping, and Mindfulness-Based Sex Therapy.
Through lecture and didactic instruction, participants will move beyond a purely symptom-focused framework and toward a model of healing that treats pleasure, embodiment, and erotic agency as legitimate clinical goals. The session draws on current research in neuroscience, interoception, and sexual functioning to ground these interventions in an evidence base clinicians can trust and apply directly.
The course is designed for clinicians who want practical, body-based tools for helping survivors reconnect with their bodies and their capacity for pleasure — not just reduce distress, but build toward sexual health and agency.
Learning Objectives
At the conclusion of this training, attendees will be able to:
Apply current neuroscience and somatic research to guide body reconnection and pleasure-focused interventions with sexual trauma survivors.
Integrate consent as an embodied clinical framework across assessment, treatment planning, and homework design.
Use evidence-based, pleasure-positive approaches — including trauma-modified sensate focus, mindfulness-based sex therapy, and self-compassion practices — to support survivors in moving from survival toward sexual health and erotic agency.
Limitations, Risks, & Benefits
This training presents a limited amount of information and is not intended to be comprehensive; clinicians who desire additional depth are encouraged to seek out supplemental resources and peer-reviewed literature on this topic. Participants may encounter discomfort as they explore sensitive topics or are asked to challenge existing beliefs and practices. Benefits include a stronger evidence-based foundation for body-centered, pleasure-positive trauma work, and practical tools clinicians can bring directly into session with survivors.
Cultural Sensitivity
This training addresses how systemic inequities and social determinants of health may impact the populations clinicians serve, including disparities in access to mental health services and their impact on underserved or marginalized populations. Participants are invited to consider how these broader structural factors shape survivors' relationships to their bodies, pleasure, and healing, and how clinicians can bring greater awareness of access and equity into their trauma-informed, pleasure-positive practice.
Course Content
This training presents intermediate-level content that builds on existing clinical knowledge and practical experience, delivered through lecture and didactic instruction. The session covers evidence-based intervention and treatment methods relevant to sexual trauma recovery, including trauma-modified sensate focus, pleasure mapping, and Mindfulness-Based Sex Therapy, grounded throughout in current peer-reviewed research on somatic reconnection and sexual functioning.
Relevance
This training addresses content directly applicable to clinical practice, including assessment, intervention, and treatment planning for sexual trauma survivors. It is relevant to professionals across mental health disciplines, including licensed social workers, psychologists, licensed professional counselors, and marriage and family therapists, who work with clients navigating the intersection of trauma, embodiment, and sexual health.
About the Presenter
Monica Ashton is an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist and Perinatal Mental Health Specialist with expertise at the intersection of reproductive and sexual health. She supports individuals and couples through fertility challenges, pregnancy, postpartum transitions, reproductive loss, and intimacy concerns, combining evidence-based strategies with a warm, compassionate approach. In addition to her clinical work, Monica is an adjunct professor in Human Sexuality, Crisis Intervention, and Mental Health Practice, and offers professional training for clinicians nationwide. She is known for making complex, sensitive topics approachable and engaging, while equipping professionals with practical tools they can immediately apply in their practice.
Course Details
Delivery method: Live webinar via the Institute learning platform
Course interactivity: Lecture and didactic instruction with live Q&A
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 available on the website.
Commercial Support & Conflict of Interest Disclosure
No commercial entity has provided funding or support for this course. Monica Ashton has no relevant conflicts of interest to disclose.
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:
J. Sexual exploitation including sexual abuse, sexual harassment and sexual assault.
AASECT ST:
C. Theory and methods of approach to intervention in relationship systems experiencing sex and intimacy problems.
This presentation has been reviewed by Kristin Hodson, LCSW, CST, CSTS to ensure it meets AASECT standards.
From Sexual Trauma to Sexual Health: Healing, Pleasure, and Body Reconnection
Presenter: Monica Ashton, LCSW, PMH-C, CST
Date: August 11, 2026 | 2:00 PM MST
Format: Live, synchronous webinar | 1 hour
Content Level: Intermediate
Target Audience: Clinical Mental Health Providers, Medical Providers, Health Providers
CE Credits: 1 continuing education credit
Certificates Available: ASWB/NASW, AASECT, THGI
Course Description
This training offers therapists an evidence-based framework for supporting survivors beyond symptom reduction and toward embodied healing, erotic agency, and sexual wellbeing. Drawing on peer-reviewed research, participants will explore the neuroscience of somatic reconnection, consent as a body-based clinical skill, and pleasure-positive interventions including trauma-modified sensate focus, pleasure mapping, and Mindfulness-Based Sex Therapy.
Through lecture and didactic instruction, participants will move beyond a purely symptom-focused framework and toward a model of healing that treats pleasure, embodiment, and erotic agency as legitimate clinical goals. The session draws on current research in neuroscience, interoception, and sexual functioning to ground these interventions in an evidence base clinicians can trust and apply directly.
The course is designed for clinicians who want practical, body-based tools for helping survivors reconnect with their bodies and their capacity for pleasure — not just reduce distress, but build toward sexual health and agency.
Learning Objectives
At the conclusion of this training, attendees will be able to:
Apply current neuroscience and somatic research to guide body reconnection and pleasure-focused interventions with sexual trauma survivors.
Integrate consent as an embodied clinical framework across assessment, treatment planning, and homework design.
Use evidence-based, pleasure-positive approaches — including trauma-modified sensate focus, mindfulness-based sex therapy, and self-compassion practices — to support survivors in moving from survival toward sexual health and erotic agency.
Limitations, Risks, & Benefits
This training presents a limited amount of information and is not intended to be comprehensive; clinicians who desire additional depth are encouraged to seek out supplemental resources and peer-reviewed literature on this topic. Participants may encounter discomfort as they explore sensitive topics or are asked to challenge existing beliefs and practices. Benefits include a stronger evidence-based foundation for body-centered, pleasure-positive trauma work, and practical tools clinicians can bring directly into session with survivors.
Cultural Sensitivity
This training addresses how systemic inequities and social determinants of health may impact the populations clinicians serve, including disparities in access to mental health services and their impact on underserved or marginalized populations. Participants are invited to consider how these broader structural factors shape survivors' relationships to their bodies, pleasure, and healing, and how clinicians can bring greater awareness of access and equity into their trauma-informed, pleasure-positive practice.
Course Content
This training presents intermediate-level content that builds on existing clinical knowledge and practical experience, delivered through lecture and didactic instruction. The session covers evidence-based intervention and treatment methods relevant to sexual trauma recovery, including trauma-modified sensate focus, pleasure mapping, and Mindfulness-Based Sex Therapy, grounded throughout in current peer-reviewed research on somatic reconnection and sexual functioning.
Relevance
This training addresses content directly applicable to clinical practice, including assessment, intervention, and treatment planning for sexual trauma survivors. It is relevant to professionals across mental health disciplines, including licensed social workers, psychologists, licensed professional counselors, and marriage and family therapists, who work with clients navigating the intersection of trauma, embodiment, and sexual health.
About the Presenter
Monica Ashton is an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist and Perinatal Mental Health Specialist with expertise at the intersection of reproductive and sexual health. She supports individuals and couples through fertility challenges, pregnancy, postpartum transitions, reproductive loss, and intimacy concerns, combining evidence-based strategies with a warm, compassionate approach. In addition to her clinical work, Monica is an adjunct professor in Human Sexuality, Crisis Intervention, and Mental Health Practice, and offers professional training for clinicians nationwide. She is known for making complex, sensitive topics approachable and engaging, while equipping professionals with practical tools they can immediately apply in their practice.
Course Details
Delivery method: Live webinar via the Institute learning platform
Course interactivity: Lecture and didactic instruction with live Q&A
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 available on the website.
Commercial Support & Conflict of Interest Disclosure
No commercial entity has provided funding or support for this course. Monica Ashton has no relevant conflicts of interest to disclose.
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:
J. Sexual exploitation including sexual abuse, sexual harassment and sexual assault.
AASECT ST:
C. Theory and methods of approach to intervention in relationship systems experiencing sex and intimacy problems.
This presentation has been reviewed by Kristin Hodson, LCSW, CST, CSTS to ensure it meets AASECT standards.
