One of the most perplexing clinical moments for patients and therapists is a declaration of an absence of sexual attraction by one or both partners. Unlike sexual desire which can wax and wane over time, sexual attraction is often experienced as fixed and unchangeable. What is a therapist to do? How do we best understand the vicissitudes of sexual attraction over the lifespan of couples including the absence of attraction from the beginning of relationships to its decline over time? How can therapists co-create safe therapeutic space to promote change in one of the most elusive of human experiences? Utilizing an integration of psychodynamic, systems, and cognitive behavioral approaches, Dr. Iasenza will discuss assessment and treatment techniques that help identify and transform factors bearing on lost sexual attraction in couples. The learning objectives are (1) to be able to describe the differences between sexual attraction and sexual desire, (2) to be able to discuss how to assess the sources of lost sexual attraction, (3) to be able to describe how to conduct a sexually sensitive relational sexual history, (4) to be able to describe how to work with a couple in order to identify and then to help them transform the interpersonal and cultural narratives affective their experience of sexual attraction, (5) to be able to elucidate clinical techniques to treat the loss of sexual attraction in couples, and (6) to be able to discuss countertransferential reactions to working with couples struggling with lost sexual attraction.

Hosted by Psychodynamic Couple and Family Institute of New England on zoom for 6 CEs. For more information, click here