The Anatomy of Intimacy Conference
This conference brings together a stellar group of experts on sexuality, offering two intense days of stimulating, thought-provoking presentations along with practical clinical skills on directly addressing sexuality in couples therapy. When people develop intimate bonds, they connect through attraction, desire and the arousal of love. In marriage, sexuality can be a gold mine or a minefield. Good sex can provide a special glue to reinforce intimacy, while bad or nonexistent sex can completely drain a marriage of vitality. The challenge for all couples is to integrate intimacy and eroticism into an ongoing relationship.
Sexual interest and behaviors are remarkably varied, raising the issue of what are common variations of normal development and what is dysfunctional. Why is low sexual desire the most common sexual complaint today? Why do some people bond sexually with one partner, while others feel driven to desire many partners? More importantly, how can couples therapy best assist partners in achieving the level of closeness and sexuality that fit their unique needs?
Couples therapy often helps develop a more secure connection and improvement in the overall relationship. However, these positive changes may occur without translating into better sex in the relationship. It is important to learn how to best focus directly on sexuality in treatment for maximum impact.
The renowned faculty has been chosen for their expertise in couples therapy and the neurobiology of love and sexuality. Presenters will describe ways to assess and treat key issues related to sexuality and provide targeted strategies that therapists can use with couples that are having sexual difficulties. The changing cultural landscape in dating and mating rituals brought about by the upsurge in online matching services will be defined. We will also look at the physiological and neurobiological underpinnings of sexual desire, as well as what causes sexuality to wane in long-term relationships. Please join us in November, 2010.
Learning Objectives:
Those attending this conference will be able to:
- Examine key ways to address sexuality directly in couples therapy
- Describe what drives sexual desire & treatment methods to rekindle low desire & enhance eroticism
- Explain differences in sexuality & romantic connections in the 21st century
- Compare how the brain responds in unloving & loving relationships.
- Recognize how EFT helps to solidify the attachment bonds & enhance the bonds between sexual partners
- Assess a couple’s sexual style & how it affects desire
- Identify attachment models that affect libido
- Clarify 4 very broad personality dimensions associated with the brain systems
- Recognize treatment implications for sexual relationships for those in late middle age and beyond