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INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN SEXUALITY & SEX THERAPY

When: September 5-7, 2025

Friday and Saturday: 8:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. EDT

Sunday: 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. EDT

Where: Richmont’s Atlanta Campus

OR

Live Webinar

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Presented by

Dr. Michael Sytsma is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Georgia, a Certified Sex Therapist, and a Certified Sexual Addictions Specialist (Trainer level). He is also an ordained minister with The Wesleyan Church and has served as a staff pastor for churches with attendance from 30 to over 1000. He is currently appointed to Building Intimate Marriages, Inc. by The Wesleyan Church. Michael received his BS in Christian Ministry from Indiana Wesleyan University, an MS in Community Counseling from Georgia State University, and a diploma in Christian counseling from Psychological Studies Institute. Michael also has a Ph.D. from the University of Georgia in Child and Family Development / Marriage and Family Therapy where he specialized in marital sexual therapy. His dissertation was on “Sexual Desire Discrepancy in Married Couples.” Michael is a co-founder of Sexual Wholeness, Inc.

Debby Wade, MA is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Certified Sex Therapist in Grapevine, Texas. Since receiving her M.A. degree from Hardin-Simmons University in Marriage and Family Therapy, she has worked in both inpatient and outpatient treatment settings. She founded Authentic Christian Therapeutic (ACT) Solutions to aid in the emotional and spiritual growth of individuals, couples and families. Debby is a presenter for public and professional organizations. She speaks on various topics including: communication, marriage, issues relating to children and adolescents, and mental health issues. At ACTSolutions, she works with adults, adolescents, couples and families, and offers play therapy for children. She also leads women’s groups exploring relational challenges and spiritual issues impacting the lives of women.

Course Description

This course provides an introduction to human sexuality and counseling for sexual issues. Utilizing the DEC-R (Dialogue, Education, Coaching and Referral) model, students are introduced to methods for implementing the DEC-R with clients, including understanding and explaining the basics of sexual biology and psychology, sexual and gender development, sexual dysfunction, and basic intervention techniques for sexual problems. Students are also challenged in their own growth and development in sexuality, increasing their ability to teach and counsel more effectively on sexual concerns.

Course Objectives

As a result of this workshop, participants will be able to:

• Examine and feel comfortable with their own sexuality.
• Use different types of sexual language to talk and counsel in the sexual area of personality and relationships.
• Create therapeutic dialogue with clients regarding multiple areas of sexuality and sexual function.
• List and describe male and female sexual anatomy.
• Explain sexual biology, hormones, sexual responses, autonomic nervous system and sexual functioning to develop the skills to do effective psycho-education in the clinical setting.
• Explain sexual development and apply this in sexual education of parents.
• Recognize, explain, and critique gender differences and gender identity issues.
• Describe and critique broader concepts of sexual identity and orientation and their impact on family and couple functioning.
• Recognize and dispute common sexual myths and unrealistic expectations with correct information.
• Differentiate between multiple models of sexual response and utilize them in the clinical setting.
• Assess and summarize the effects of aging on sexual response and functioning.
• Recognize compulsive or addictive sexual behaviors.
• Distinguish between different sexually transmitted diseases and explain coping or treatment strategies.
• Recognize and educate clients on the possible sexual side effects of common medications.
• Demonstrate the ability to create basic therapeutic answers and interventions around common male and female sexual dysfunctions.
• Utilize sexual self-help protocols to coach clients through sexual dysfunctions.
• Describe when and how to refer clients for other services.
• Recognize and practice safe therapeutic boundaries when dealing with sexual issues in the clinical setting.

Basic Topic List

Sex in History & Culture

Person of the Therapist

Dec-R Intro

Sexual Dialogue

Taking a Sexual History

Sexual & Reproductive Anatomy: Function and Response

Pregnancy/Hormones/Menopause

Birth Control

Sex and Aging

Myths & Attributions

Sexual Development/ Sex Ed

Sex and Medications

STD’s

Sexual Behaviors & Values Clarification

Single Sexuality

Atypical Sexuality

Sexual Addiction: Definitions, Diagnoses, and Treatment

Sexual Identity and Orientation

Models of Sexual Response

Basic Sex Therapy: DSM and ICD Diagnosis & Triune Brain

Sexual Desire Disorders

Treating Female Issues: Arousal, Orgasm, & Pain Disorders

Treating Male Disorders: Arousal & Orgasm

Making Referrals

Questions
 

Registration Information

Continuing Education: 20 CEs

Workshop Level: Beginner

This introductory course serves as a prerequisite for all Institute for Sexual Wholeness Intermediate and Advanced Classes.

Target Audience: Psychologists, Professional Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, Social Workers, Graduate Students

Fees

$800.00 Plus Textbooks	Completion of all reading and assignments is required in order to receive CE credits.
$350.00 Plus Textbooks	Richmont or ISW alumni retaking the course as a refresher.
Richmont Tuition Rates Plus Textbooks	Students of other universities who are taking the course and need the credits to appear on their official transcripts at another university will need to apply as a non-degree seeking student. Contact the Admissions Office at admissions@richmont.edu to apply.

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For registration and continuing education questions, please contact ContinuingEd@richmont.edu.

Refund policy: In order to receive a full refund, requests must be made prior to August 29, 2025.

 There is no known commercial support for this program.

20 CORE Hours  live webinar & in-person (synchronous) contact hours of continuing education have been approved by the Licensed Professional Counselors Association of Georgia (LPCA CE Approval #213175031S-0626). These can be related hours for those outside of Georgia.