in partnership with

HUMAN SEXUALITY: A THERAPEUTIC INTEGRATION

When: October 21-23, 2022

Where: Richmont’s Atlanta Campus (1900 The Exchange SE, Bldg. 100, Atlanta, GA 30339)

REGISTER HERE

Presented by

Dr. Michael Systma 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

Provides a basic introduction course to 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 sexual issues in counseling, 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 as they learn to teach and counsel more effectively on sexual concerns.

Course Objectives

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

• Describe and feel comfortable with their own sexuality and possible counter-transference.
• Use different sexual language as well as talk and counsel in the sexual area of personality and relationships.
• Utilize an operational sexual language in the therapeutic setting as well as create therapeutic dialogue.
• List and describe male and female sexual anatomy.
• Explain sexual biology, hormones, sexual responses, autonomic nervous system and sexual functioning with 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, false attributions, and unrealistic expectations with correct information.
• Differentiate between common models of sexual response and utilize them in the clinical setting.
• Assess and summarize the effects of aging on sexual response and functioning.
• Recognize, create treatment interventions, or referrals around compulsive or addictive sexual behaviors.
• Distinguish between different sexually transmitted diseases and 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 the skills of coaching clients through sexual self-help protocols.
• Assess and strategically practice referring clients when needed.
• Recognize and practice safe therapeutic boundaries when dealing with sexual issues in the clinical setting.
• Explain the accuracy and utility of materials presented, limitations of content, and most common risks when practicing sex therapy.

Course Schedule

Friday, October 21, 2021: 9am – 7pm EST

Saturday, October 22, 2021: 9am -7pm EST

Sunday, October 23, 2021: 8am – 4pm EST

Basic Topic Schedule

Registration Information

Continuing Education: 22 CEs

Workshop Level: Beginner

This introductory course serves as a prerequisite for the Advanced Sexual Trauma and Abuse Course.

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

Fees

REGISTER HERE

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 October 14, 2022.

 There is no known commercial support for this program.

Richmont Graduate University is approved by the American Psychologist Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Richmont Graduate University maintains responsibility for this program and its content.