Trainings
Sex & Intimacy for Clinicians 101: Foundational Skills
Sex is one of the most imperative topics in clinical work—yet most clinicians have no formal training in how to navigate it. This three-part foundational series gives you the language, frameworks, and confidence to facilitate open, shame-reduced conversations about sex and intimacy with your clients.
What You'll Learn:
Across three interactive sessions, you'll build essential skills through evidence-based theory, sex-positive psychoeducation, and applied case examples:
Part 1 – Arousal, Desire & Consent (Sept 3, 6:00–9:15pm EST) Define and apply the Dual Control Model; distinguish arousal from desire; teach clients about arousal nonconcordance and the "emotional one ring"; practice active consent frameworks in couples and individual sessions.
Part 2 – Orgasms & Masturbation (Sept 10, 6:00–9:15pm EST) Deconstruct shame in the clinical interview; normalize solo sex as part of relational health; identify and address common sexual dysfunctions; support diverse genders, sexualities, and bodies in your practice.
Part 3 – Sexual Health History & Meaning-Making (Sept 17, 6:00–9:15pm EST) Conduct trauma-informed sexual health histories; explore the 8 P's of consent model; assess desire, arousal, and orgasm across relationship structures—including monogamous, polyamorous, queer, heterosexual, trans, and same-gender partnerships. The training moves into an overview of the impact of the meaning made of sex and sexuality: really directing our co-construction of goals and outcomes for our clients.
Who This Is For:
Sex and sexuality are critical components of relationships. Both our engagement with others and understanding of ourselves have major impacts on our relationships. We know that many clinicians aren't taught about sex. Most HUMANS aren't educated and empowered on these topics. Clinicians and mental health providers wishing to expand their sex-therapy training and who want to build comfort, reduce personal shame, and develop a sex-positive clinical practice.
Format & CEUs:
Three live, synchronous, HIPAA-compliant Zoom sessions (3 hours each) with slides, discussions, case examples, and Q&A. This program is approved for 9 Social Work Continuing Education hours (NASW-MA Authorization D-80890). 3 CEUs offered per training, (all three is 9 CEUs) once you've completed the post-survey with an 80% pass rate (up to 5 retakes permitted). $25 processing fee for CEU certificates.
Instructor:
Emily Pilowa, LICSW—couples therapist and sex-positive educator specializing in shame reduction, consent, and intimacy across diverse relationship structures.
Investment:
$120 per session | $360 for all three sessions
Register for Sex & Intimacy for Clinicians 101
Sex & Intimacy for Clinicians 201: Intermediate Applied Practice
You've built the foundational language. Now deepen your clinical capacity to address trauma, identity, embodiment, and complex intimacy concerns with confidence and skill.
This three-part intermediate series uses case-based learning, trauma-informed frameworks, and applied intervention strategies to expand your ability to support clients navigating sexual trauma, gender identity development, changing bodies, BDSM/kink, and pornography within the therapeutic relationship.
What You'll Learn:
Part 1 – Sexual Trauma & Neurobiology (Nov 5, 6:00–9:15pm EST) This section Assess triggers of sexual trauma; apply grounding and dissociation psychoeducation for survivors; implement clinical interventions for gender-based violence within a restorative treatment framework.
Part 2 – Gender Identity & Embodiment (Nov 12, 6:00–9:15pm EST) Take sex and relationship health histories with trans and nonbinary clients; provide relational psychoeducation around shifts in intimacy with changing gender expression; address identity erasure in partnerships. Co-taught with Claire Geruson, LICSW.
Part 3 – BDSM, Kink & Pornography (Nov 19, 6:00–9:15pm EST) Distinguish privacy from secrecy when discussing fetishes and kinks; offer resources for sex and love addiction; use consent-based language to explore BDSM practices and pornography use in clinical assessments.
Who This Is For:
Social workers and clinicians are already comfortable taking sexual health histories and discussing sex with clients, seeking advanced, case-based skills in trauma, identity, and complex relational dynamics.
Format & CEUs:
Three live, synchronous, HIPAA-compliant Zoom sessions (3 hours each) with interactive discussion, case examples, and Q&A. All sessions recorded. This program is approved for 9 Social Work Continuing Education hours (NASW-MA Authorization D-90343). ASWB ACE approval pending. Attend all three sessions to qualify for CEUs. 3 CEUs offered per training, (all three is 9 CEUs) once you've completed the post-survey with an 80% pass rate (up to 5 retakes permitted). $25 processing fee for CEU certificates.
Instructor:
Emily Pilowa, LICSW—trauma-informed couples therapist and sex-positive educator with expertise in consent, intimacy, and identity across diverse relationship structures.
Investment:
$120 per session | $360 for all three sessions.
Register for Sex & Intimacy for Clinicians 201 to enroll in this intermediate applied practice series.
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Navigating Sex and Intimacy in clinical Practice: The work Group
This group will join Emily Pilowa, LICSW for 3 interactive working groups to support your growth as a clinician.
These workshops will invite participants to reflect on theory from Emily's training while practicing creating and utilizing clinical skills that can be put directly into practice.
These will be capped at 30 participants and you must be able to attend all 3 sessions in person to participate.
Work Groups:
April 9th, 6:30-8:30pm EST
-Modeling and Incorporating Enthusiastic and Expiring Consent*
April 16th, 6:30-8:30pm EST
-Practicing Taking a Sexual Health History in the Clinical Interview*
April 23rd, 6:30-8:00pm EST
-Interrupting Dissociation*
*Participants will be asked to complete short writing assignments before each training to prepare to implement skills in small practice groups.
Investment:
Register for all 3 sessions for $180. You must register for all three of these sessions, no partial registrations allowed.