Part 1 - Uncovering the Roots
Mar
14
to Mar 16

Part 1 - Uncovering the Roots

Uncovering the Roots of Sexuality Trauma

Presented by Ariel Giarretto 

The Full Embodiment Model

Who are we at our core?

If we were to remove all of the social conditioning, the religious, racial and cultural messages forced on us, all of the generations of sexism, misogyny and shame, all the judgments and expectations of family and peers, and all the traumas we have experienced:

  • Who are we underneath all of it?

  • How would we inhabit our bodies in ways that reflect our true nature?

  • How would we express and receive affection, sensuality and sexuality… on our terms… in our most genuine and authentic way?

  • How to achieve ease and pleasure in our own bodies, identify biases, and recognise discomfort with sexuality so that we can all be a clear and effective support to clients

  • How do we uncover our desires and attractions, and identify what inhibits them? Are these real, or are these learned?

  • What is the best way to break old patterns in relationships and move towards healthy intimacy?

  • How do we heal specifically what is damaged by the above influences?

    This first module is the foundation of the Full Embodiment (FE) practice.

Decades in its formation—FE combines the latest in somatic healing practices and trauma-informed sex education. Recognising the common dilemmas and challenges that practitioners face in their office, plus the countless ways people all over the world struggle with shame, disconnection to their bodies and sexuality, this program is especially designed for all people to find their way home to self, to pleasure and to greater intimacy..

It examines the developmental imprints and other formative influences that sabotage an easeful, shame-free relationship with ourselves as sexual/sensual beings.

We will slowly, and intentionally rebuild that which was scarred by generations of sexual oppression, abuse, misogyny and cultural and religious influences. Well-regulated clients, colleagues, friends and partners are invited to participate in this program.

Healing Strategies:

  • Participants will develop a personalized, self-paced embodiment practice

  • Time will be spent examining our relationship to sex and sexuality, and then developing new strategies and goals that more authentically express our true or ideal nature

  • We’ll uncover biases and triggers both professionally and personally. The intention is to find ease when discussing sex and pelvic anatomy with clients and intimates.

  • We’ll examine the messages we were given about gender and what it means to be male/female,..and learn to access and embody more authentic beliefs and desires, identities and expressions underneath the shame and conditioning.

  • The focus of this module is on self-exploration and personal enhancement, however it will provide numerous useful strategies for therapists working with sexuality and trauma.

  • There will be suggested readings, journaling, between module peer support and required group supervisions

    The focus is solely on HEALING….We will NOT be working sexual trauma in any workshop….

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN PERSONALLY:

  • Get comfortable talking about the body and discussing sexuality issues with your clients and intimates.

  • Become friendlier with your body, and inhabit it with new levels of comfort and awareness

WHO WILL BENEFIT

Professionals wishing to become more adept at being embodied and sexually more authentic. Clients, partners and non-SE professionals are also welcome to join. But they must be well-regulated and ready to step into the material. We will not have the staff to support high maintenance individuals.

It is designed for anyone who desires a deep and lasting change. It supports therapists in working with sexuality trauma in their practices, however it is also appropriate for anyone interested in personal exploration. Clinicians, this is your chance to bring, or refer your friends, clients, colleagues and intimates. 

We WILL NOT be working sexual trauma in any of the modules—the focus is on healing. Please only invite people who are regulated and low maintenance.

Current SE students needing credits toward SEP can earn 2 hours of faculty consultation units upon completing the module.

This workshop will cover how to:

- Find ease, confidence and connection with your whole body

- Examine the messages than many are given about gender, the body and sexuality, and begin to access and embody more authentic beliefs and desires, underneath the conditioning

- Explore and heal the hidden social psychological and developmental influences that shape shame poor body image and disconnection from self and others

- Get comfortable talking about the body and sexuality with your clients and intimates

- Establish a strong somatic container and develop honest “embodied consent” through boundaries and learning how to voice preferences

- Identifying the unconscious “brakes” that thwart pleasure and desire   

- Learn new ways of finding peace, pleasure and safety after sexual abuse or assault

Format and Techniques: 

• The workshop is a friendly mix of science and education, psychological and emotional inquiry, and gentle, respectful exercises designed to deepen contact with self. 

• It will include mindfulness practices, self-reflection, small and large group sharing, lectures, essential research, videos and suggested readings.

Who can benefit:

• Therapists, coaches, social workers, bodyworkers, healthcare professionals, and anyone hoping to find more ease and pleasure in their bodies

Location:

Staybridge Suites 6600 Mannheim Road, Rosemont, IL. Staybridge Suites is giving us a special group rate so be sure to mention Full Embodiment. If there is a problem, call and ask. 847-380-5800

Time:

11am-6:00pm Friday March 14th CST

9:00am-5:00pm Saturday March 15th CST

9:00-4:00 Sunday March 16th CST

As part of the registration process, please fill out this application.

If you have already filled out the application proceed to payment.

Payments:

To reserve your space please send a deposit of $100 for each module you plan to attend. (Total is $400) This guarantees you a spot in all 4 modules. After the deposit, the total cost for the 4 modules is $1800. It is fine to pay for each module separately, spread out over 10 months if the full deposit is too much, but the balance must be paid a month in advance before the module start to get the discount. (I will send out reminders)

Individually, the cost of each workshop is $625 per module. If you pay in full a month before the module starts, the price drops to $575, or $475 after the deposit. The price is reduced further to $550 a module if you plan to attend all four—so $2,200 for the series, or $1800 after the $400 deposit. Payments plans are welcomed. There is a small additional fee if you pay by credit card or by PayPal to cover the fees.

Cancellation policy:

  • A full refund will be given if the training is canceled by us.

  • A full refund, minus a $100 administrative fee, will be issued for cancellations made no later than One Month before the start date.

  • Cancellations made after One month before the start date will be refunded 50% of the total tuition paid.

  • No refund will be issued for no‐shows or if registration is canceled after 4 days before any training start.

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Part 2 - Essential Strategies of Healing Sexual Trauma and Sexuality
Jul
18
to Jul 20

Part 2 - Essential Strategies of Healing Sexual Trauma and Sexuality

Essential Strategies of Healing Sexual Trauma and Sexuality

Presented by Ariel Giarretto 

The Full Embodiment Model

Course Description:

All of us work with clients who generally resist being in the body. Many experience their bodies with shame, disgust, and as scary, dangerous places to avoid. Many endured sexual trauma as a child, sexual assault as adults, grew up with strong religious messages, and struggle with sexual incompatibilities in their relationships.

This workshop is designed to tackle just these issues, and is aimed at helping practitioners acquire a variety of new and effective tools to best serve these clients—even the toughest ones. Introducing material and exercises not covered in the Somatic Experiencing training.

Current SE students needing credits toward SEP can earn 2 hours of faculty consultation units upon completing the module.

Professional Content

  • Recognize how sexual trauma uniquely impacts people- and strategically learn how to rebuild and repair what was destroyed

  • Help clients with complex histories identify clear goals, so you both know where you’re headed, have the consent you need to nudge a bit, and then take the most direct path to recovery

  • Learn extraordinarily titrated and gentle ways that support those most reluctant to inhabit their bodies, and actually find ease and pleasure

  • Learn some of the newest science in sex education that will help you explain essential facts to your clients that will normalize behaviors and lessen shame

  • Learn multiple exercises that support regulation in the present—to minimize daily triggers, and provide resource and stability now, without having to work content or history

  • Discover multiple “mindfulness” exercises that take the startle out of touch—to help clients re-establish a felt sense of safety in their bodies, especially during contact with others.

  • Learn new techniques that strengthen boundaries, help people “find their voice”, and identify choice and preferences

  • Learn a variety ways of repairing shame  

What You Will Learn Personally:

  • Get comfortable talking about the body and discussing sexuality issues with your clients and intimates.

  • Become friendlier with your body, and inhabit it with new levels of comfort and awareness

Who it Will Benefit:

Therapists, psychologists, touch therapists, sex educators, intimacy coaches and any practitioner who wishes to become more adept at somatically treating sexual trauma and sexuality issues.

Location:

Staybridge Suites 6600 Mannheim Road, Rosemont, IL. Staybridge Suites is giving us a special group rate so be sure to mention Full Embodiment. If there is a problem, call and ask. 847-380-5800

Time:

11am-6:00pm Friday July 18

9:30am-6:00pm Saturday July 19

9:30-4:00 Sunday July 20

As part of the registration process, please fill out this application.

If you have filled out the application proceed to payment.

Payments:

To reserve your space please send a deposit of $100 for each module you plan to attend. (Total is $400) This guarantees you a spot in all 4 modules. After the deposit, the total cost for the 4 modules is $1800. It is fine to pay for each module separately, spread out over 10 months if the full deposit is too much, but the balance must be paid a month in advance before the module start to get the discount. (I will send out reminders)

Individually, the cost of each workshop is $625 per module. If you pay in full a month before the module starts, the price drops to $575, or $475 after the deposit. The price is reduced further to $550 a module if you plan to attend all four—so $2,200 for the series, or $1800 after the $400 deposit. Payments plans are welcomed. There is a small additional fee if you pay by credit card or by PayPal to cover the fees.

Cancellation policy:

  • A full refund will be given if the training is canceled by us.

  • A full refund, minus a $100 administrative fee, will be issued for cancellations made no later than One Month before the start date.

  • Cancellations made after One month before the start date will be refunded 50% of the total tuition paid.

  • No refund will be issued for no‐shows or if registration is canceled after 4 days before any training start.

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Part 3 - The Energetics of Intimacy, Attachment and Sexuality
Oct
17
to Oct 19

Part 3 - The Energetics of Intimacy, Attachment and Sexuality

The Energetics of Intimacy, Attachment and Sexuality

Discovering the subtleties of relating intimately

Presented by Ariel Giarretto 

This workshop examines:  “What happens in myself, my body, and my being in proximity to others?”

Open to:

  • Individuals, either coupled or not, and actively sexual or not

  • Anyone wanting to heal attachment wounds, hoping to learn to receive and give love and pleasure in new and profound ways

  • Couples wanting to improve their physical and emotional intimacy

  • People hoping to find satisfying relationships, or  

  • Therapists who work with any of the above

    This 3 day workshop focuses on connection to self, the heart and the body, while being in proximity with others. You do not need to be in couple relationship to get great benefit from this program. Nor does your partner need to be present. This workshop is open to partners or colleagues of somatic participants who are not professionals.

    It helps us experience the subtle and not-so-obvious ways we engage intimately, and how to open to new and yet-to-be explored possibilities of joy and pleasure.

    We’ll combine lectures, videos, the latest research, small group discussions, movement and dance, plus an array of gentle, respectful exercises to make for a rich and varied program. Mindful embodiment, sensation tracking and self-touch explorations are core practices as we get comfortable with the body as the ultimate “experiencer”. The goal is clearer boundaries, increased pleasure, self-acceptance and self-love, and greater freedom to explore your sexy self playfully in new and different ways, without shame.

    After the weekend, participants will:

    • come away with a clearer understanding of the subtle levels of relating that occur under conscious awareness

    • recognize and reduce triggers, enabling genuine wants and needs to emerge…..and learn to communicate these effectively

    • learn tools for staying present and embodied

    • identify deep desires and yearnings, and notice what gets in the way of opening to them

    • practice asking for what you want, and learning to receive 

    Topics we will cover include all of the above, plus:

    • Further exploration of boundaries

    • Identify genuine “yeses” and “noes”, as well as “turn-ons” and “turn-offs” in intimacy. 

    • Learn about your ”erotic style”

    • The basics of sensual touch for both women and men (fully clothed) 

    plus many more!

Current SE students needing credits toward SEP can earn 2 hours of faculty consultation units upon completing the module.

Location:

Staybridge Suites 6600 Mannheim Road, Rosemont, IL. Staybridge Suites is giving us a special group rate so be sure to mention Full Embodiment. If there is a problem, call and ask. 847-380-5800

Time:

11am-6:00pm Friday October 17

9:30am-6:00pm Saturday October 18

9:30-4:00 Sunday October 19

As part of the registration process, please fill out this application.

If you have already filled out the application proceed to payment.

Payments:

To reserve your space please send a deposit of $100 for each module you plan to attend. (Total is $400) This guarantees you a spot in all 4 modules. After the deposit, the total cost for the 4 modules is $1800. It is fine to pay for each module separately, spread out over 10 months if the full deposit is too much, but the balance must be paid a month in advance before the module start to get the discount. (I will send out reminders)

Individually, the cost of each workshop is $625 per module. If you pay in full a month before the module starts, the price drops to $575, or $475 after the deposit. The price is reduced further to $550 a module if you plan to attend all four—so $2,200 for the series, or $1800 after the $400 deposit. Payments plans are welcomed. There is a small additional fee if you pay by credit card or by PayPal to cover the fees.

Cancellation policy:

  • A full refund will be given if the training is canceled by us.

  • A full refund, minus a $100 administrative fee, will be issued for cancellations made no later than One Month before the start date.

  • Cancellations made after One month before the start date will be refunded 50% of the total tuition paid.

  • No refund will be issued for no‐shows or if registration is canceled after 4 days before any training start.

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Part 4 - Registration Closed - Further Strategies for Healing Sexual Trauma and Sexuality
Feb
6
to Feb 8

Part 4 - Registration Closed - Further Strategies for Healing Sexual Trauma and Sexuality

Further Strategies for Healing Sexual Trauma and Sexuality

Presented by Ariel Giarretto 

This module is more informational—and addresses common sexual and intimacy issues that show up in couples and individuals—both straight and queer. Especially if one or both have experienced sexual trauma as a child, sexual assault as adults, grown up with severe religious messages….or who currently grapple with sexual incompatibilities, porn addiction, sexual dysfunctions, or those who just generally resist being in their bodies.

Professional Content

  • Common sexual and intimacy issues that affect couples

  • Low or incompatible Libido

  • Spicing up long-term relationships

  • Sex and aging

  • How to support female and male survivors

  • Pelvic/sexual complaints—including vaginismus, chronic pain and common sexual dysfunctions—for both women and men

  • Infertility

  • Kink and BDSM

  • Porn addiction

  • Navigating open relationships

  • Working with dissociation, flashbacks

  • The order and steps that are most effective for reworking sexual trauma without re-traumatizing, and for success

  • Plus time for questions and cases that want to be discussed

Other learning objectives:

  • Get comfortable talking about the body and discussing and treating sexuality issues with your clients and intimates.

  • Continue to deepen you own embodiment practice and relationship to your sexuality

Who will benefit

  • Therapists, psychologists, touch therapists, sex educators, intimacy coaches and any practitioner who wishes to become more adept at somatically treating relationship and sexuality issues.

Location: Online - 2026 February 7-9

Time: Since I will be signing on from the Netherlands, the times are as follows:

9:00- 3:00PM Pacific Time Friday, February 6 (11AM Central)

9:00-3:00PM Pacific Time Saturday February 7

9:00-3:00PM Pacific Time Sunday February 8

Payments:

To reserve your space please send a deposit of $100 for each module you plan to attend. (Total is $400) This guarantees you a spot in all 4 modules. After the deposit, the total cost for the 4 modules is $1800. It is fine to pay for each module separately, spread out over 10 months if the full deposit is too much, but the balance must be paid a month in advance before the module start to get the discount. (I will send out reminders)

Individually, the cost of each workshop is $625 per module. If you pay in full a month before the module starts, the price drops to $575, or $475 after the deposit. The price is reduced further to $550 a module if you plan to attend all four—so $2,200 for the series, or $1800 after the $400 deposit. Payments plans are welcomed. There is a small additional fee if you pay by credit card or by PayPal to cover the fees.

Cancellation policy:

  • A full refund will be given if the training is canceled by us.

  • A full refund, minus a $100 administrative fee, will be issued for cancellations made no later than One Month before the start date.

  • Cancellations made after One month before the start date will be refunded 50% of the total tuition paid.

  • No refund will be issued for no‐shows or if registration is canceled after 4 days before any training start.

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