Please see the attachments for course information, assignment requirement in file "Research paper", textbooks and Instructor Recommended Bibliography.
Research Paper
Students will write a review on a topic related to the interrelationship between sexuality and an area addressed within the course. This review will explore contemporary thinking and critiques of the topic and address implications for counselling. Culture, ethnicity, age, class, and gender may also be considered. This paper must be 6 to 10 pages, double-spaced, using a minimum of eight to ten peer-reviewed sources from the past 5 years and/or the Instructor recommended Bibliography. APA formatting and citations are mandatory as the failure to cite sources appropriately constitutes plagiarism.
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Session/ Date |
Modules, Topics and Assignments |
Readings |
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Session 1 Jan. 5 |
Introductions and Overview · Orientation to course and expectations · Sexuality counselling and Sex therapy · Historical approaches · Defining sexuality and the Contextualized sexuality model · Intersectional approach to Cultural contexts · Activity: Sexuality, p. 17, Ex. 1.1 Comfort and competence to provide sexuality counselling interventions · Reflections: Implications for Counselling (i.e., “Variance is normal and adaptive”, Principles, p. 329)
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Sexuality: Chapters 1 and 9
Optional: (to prep for next session): Sexuality Chapter 7 Principles Chapter 14
AASECT certification |
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Session 2 Jan. 12
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Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation · Differentiating gender identity vs sexual orientation · Activity: Use of non-gendered language (Sexuality, p. 195) · Review of historical, societal and cultural contexts (e.g., heteronormativity vs. minority stress & internalization of negative beliefs & higher mental health issues, suicide) · Reflections:
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Sexuality Chapter 7 Principles Chapter 14
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Session 3 Jan. 19
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Human Sexual Development and Sexual Schema · Physiology of sexual organs; sexual response cycle & critique · Development of sexuality through lifespan · Sexual schema and scripts · Challenging internalized messages · Activity: Comfort in sexuality counselling (Sexuality, p. 102, Ex. 3.1 – pre-assessment) · Reflections:
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Sexuality Chapter 5
Optional Sexuality Chapter 4 |
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Session 4 Jan. 26
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Theoretical Approaches to Sex Therapy · Historical: Medical, CBT (sensate focus, mindfulness, masturbation training), Contextual (addresses psychological & relational functioning) · Postmodern approaches: Integrative (EFT, EMDR, Narrative), Psychodynamic & Hypnosis, Social Constructivist (exploring meaning making of gender, eroticism, interpersonal bonds, sexual development, reproduction), Experiential (exploration of fantasies, deviances, preferences, addresses shame), Systemic therapies (systems that impact sexuality beliefs, experiences & behaviours, e.g., EFT). · Ethics for counsellors and Principles in relationships (i.e., non-coercion, non-deceit, non-using, respect for others’ beliefs) · Activity: Discussing merits of approaches (Sexuality, p. 102, Ex. 3.1 – post-assessment) · Reflections: Your theoretical approaches preferred
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Sexuality Chapter 3
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Session 5 Feb. 2
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Assessment · Contextualizing Assessment · Introduction to DSM 5 · Directory of Selected Instruments for Assessing Sexuality · Activity: Practicing assessment and goal setting · Reflections:
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Sexuality Chapter 2
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Session 6 Feb. 9 (No class Feb. 16)
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Sexual Dysfunctions Major sexual dysfunctions/the “bread and butter” of sex therapy · Sexual interest/arousal disorder (SAID) – women & men · Female orgasmic disorder (FOD) · Erectile dysfunction (ED) · Premature ejaculation (PE) Activity: Discussing case studies Reflections:
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Principles Chapters 1 -8 (Note: Scan for your areas of interest for research paper and in-class activity)
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Session 7 Feb. 23
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Sexual Dysfunctions, cont’d (special issues now standard fare) · LGBTQ · Childhood sexual abuse · Hypersexuality disorders/sex addiction · Paraphilias Activity: Discussing case studies Reflections:
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Principles Chapter 9, 14 & 17 |
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Session 8 Mar. 2
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Treatment and Outcomes · PLLISIT model & Expanding your therapeutic range · Limited research in outcome measures · Outcome instruments: diaries, pre- and post-questionnaires, open-ended interviews, physiological tests · Research Paper presentations: Students will present a 5-10 min. overview of their chosen topic for their final paper (Note: Papers should be related to theoretical approaches based on students’ anticipated context of their work as a counsellor.)
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Sexuality, p. 100 |
Please see below for my in class reflections and let me know if you need help finding research papers.
1. What messages have you received about sex throughout your life?
Sex and sexuality was a taboo topic when I was growing up. My parents never talked about sex with me. I often associated sex with guilt and shame. Sexual education was definitely very lacking when I was in Taiwan. Choosing not to be sexual was the safest option. Seeing a therapist can help individuals overcome sexual shame.
2. Reflect on an aspect of your own sexuality and how this may impact your comfort and ability to counsel.
Sexuality was a personal and forbidden topic when I was growing up. I am still not completely comfortable talking about it. Before I ask my clients to be honest about their feelings and stories, I should learn to be more comfortable with my own sexual beliefs and my ability to express my sexual desires. Being able to address, articulate and discuss different factors impacting sexual satisfaction will enhance my ability to counsel in a therapy session.
3. Reflections on your sexual development
During my early adolescence years, I was trying to separate from my family, spending more time with friends, developing romantic feelings and attraction to others. I never really wanted to engage in sexual intercourse because I was taught if a man was willing to wait for sex, he would value and cherish me more. However, I was pressured (sweet talk) into having sex with my boyfriend at the time and the experience was not very satisfying. I was sad that my motivation to have sex with him was to please him not for my own sexual desire. I suffered from sexual regret and kept researching for information about hymen repair surgeries. Eventually, I chose not to undergo the surgery and learned how to turn down sex when I wasn't ready. As a aspiring therapist, I want to help others who had similar painful experiences.
4. Provide a summary statement of your preferred theoretical approach indicating the reason for your preference, (e.g. the context of your anticipated counselling setting or as related to the implications for counselling).
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy is my preferred theoretical approach for sex therapy. MBCT is useful in reducing sexual stress and pain, improving sexual desire, excitation, lubrication, orgasm and sexual satisfaction. I would like to work with clients to lower their performance anxiety, heighten awareness of their sensations, and educate them to focus on pleasure.
Links for textbooks:
Binak, YM and Hall, KSK, Eds (2014). Principles and Practice of Sex Therapy 5th Ed. New York: The Guilford Press.
Murray, C, Pope, A and Willis, B (2017). Sexuality Counselling: Theory, Research and Practice. Los Angeles: Sage.