Illuminating Sexualities: Erotic Encounters in Life & Psychotherapy
9 a.m. – 4 p.m. • 6.0 C.E. Hours

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Relational psychotherapies today recognize sexuality in both erotic and non-erotic forms to be an essential aspect of the intersubjective field in which personal growth and transformation occurs. Taking a developmental approach to an array of relatedness possibilities from more fundamental to more complex levels of desire and fear, Dr. Hedges will discuss how sex and sexuality are a ubiquitous part of transference, resistance, and countertransference development. Spring-boarding from Michel Foucalt’s position that sexuality is inevitably infused and fused with social and interpersonal power, and that sex itself is an ever-elusive myth, Dr. Hedges will offer a series of case vignettes which pose questions for our understanding of sexuality in psychotherapy.

TESTIMONIALS

Here are some comments about the program taken from recent course evaluations:

TOPICS

• Historical Overview of Sexuality
• The “Natural” Hypothesis
• Infant-Caregiver Sensual Interactions
• Gender Identity Development
• Post-Modern & Constructivist Approaches
• Ethnicity and Sexuality Related
• The Intersubjective Relational Perspective
• Developmental Levels of Desire & Inhibitions

GOALS

At the conclusion of this program you should be better able to:

• Comprehend the seven levels of relational desire and fear manifest in transference, resistance, and countertransference.
• Understand Michel Foucalt’s basic arguments regarding power and sexuality and the mythological function of sex.
• Experience various perspectives on sexuality as illustrated by clinical vignettes.

SPEAKER PROFILE

Lawrence E. Hedges, Ph.D., ABPP is a psychologist-psychoanalyst (#PSY 3567) in private practice specializing in the training of psychotherapists and psychoanalysts. He is director of the Listening Perspectives Study Center and the founding director of the Newport Psychoanalytic Institute. He holds faculty appointments at the California Graduate Institute and the University of California, Irvine, Department of Psychiatry. Dr. Hedges holds Diplomates from The American Board of Professional Psychology and The American Board of Forensic Examiners. He is author of numerous papers and books on the practice of psychoanalytic psychotherapy, including the following texts: Listening Perspectives in Psychotherapy, Interpreting the Countertransference,
Strategic Emotional Involvement, Working the Organizing Experience, and Remembering, Repeating & Working Through Childhood Trauma. His books on professional issues, ethics, and risk management in psychotherapy include Therapists at Risk and the award-winning Facing the Challenge of Liability in Psychotherapy.