The program is aimed at increasing awareness, aliveness and pleasure in our whole bodies. It looks at developmental imprints and other formative influences that interrupt a clear, stress-free relationship with ourselves as fully embodied sexual/sensual beings. It offers transformative experiential practices for all levels of interest—for self-exploration and personal enhancement, healing sexual abuse, as well as providing useful strategies for therapists working with sexuality and trauma. It is open to anyone desiring to learn more about sexuality from a somatic/social/cultural, psychological or physiological perspective.

This workshop is primarily experiential, and focusses on healing the shame that both men and women carry from countless generations of negative messages about sex, sexual expression, the body and gender, whether they’re cultural, religious or intergenerational.

Introducing the latest in somatic sex therapy and sexuality research, it is designed for anyone who desires 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.

This workshop will cover how to:

- Have more 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, sensitive, boundaried touch, small and large group sharing, lectures, videos and suggested readings.

Who can benefit:

• Therapists, coaches, social workers, bodyworkers, healthcare or medical professionals and anyone working with sexual trauma, dissociation, body image, gender identity, and sexual dysfunction will benefit.

• Individuals wanting to improve their intimate relationships, learn more about their bodies and their sexuality, as well as people who have survived sexual trauma or gender violence and discrimination.

• Individuals ready to transform their relationship to themselves and their bodies

• People who were raised with negative attitudes or condemning messages concerning their gender, sex and the body

Men, LGBTIQ, gender fluid, and all sexual orientations are celebrated and welcomed.

 for more info about cost, location and how to register, contact Carmen carmenandreeamatei@gmail.com