Pink Therapy Training News
Keeping YOU in the Frame
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Greetings!
|  I am delighted to be able to bring you this special issue of Pink Therapy News which lists our training programme for the forthcoming year.
As you will see, we're running our on year post qualifying Certificate in Sexual Minority Therapy again and places are strictly limited to a maximum of 12 students for this programme and so an early application is advised. Informal enquiries are welcome direct to me.
I am also including details of a one-day workshop I am running for Therapy Challenges in Stratford upon Avon early next month. This may appeal to those of who who don't care to travel into London.
Please DO forward this email onto others who may be interested and we have print leaflets if anyone wants one.
Dominic DaviesDirector |
Therapy Challenges
Continuing Professional Development
July 2nd, 9.30am to 4.30pm - Stratford upon Avon
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This seminar should appeal to all counsellors and psychotherapists working with sexual minority clients. The seminar takes place at the Stratford Manor Hotel, Stratford upon Avon, on July 2nd, 9.30am to 4.30pm. Please see full details of the seminar day below.
All refreshments, a buffet-style lunch and delegate information pack are included in the price. A certificate of attendance will be awarded at the end (5 hours CPD).
If you require further information or wish to book, please visit our website www.therapychallenges.com to secure a place via our PayPal booking system. The cost of the day is £75 (or £70 if booking more than 6 weeks before). There are concessions for full-time undergraduate students of £50.
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Certificate in Sexual Minority Therapy
One year programme from 24th September
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 Are you a qualified counsellor, psychotherapist or psychologist?
Are you interested in specialising or adding a specialisation in therapeutic work with sexual minority clients to your work?
Are you flexible, motivated, and committed?
Pink Therapy is pleased to be offering the UK's only professional training course for counsellors, psychotherapists and psychologists in working with sexual minority clients from a non-pathologising perspective.
Twenty two training days over a year.
You will be part of a small supervision group - meeting monthly for 6 hours, 9 meetings per annum (54 hours supervision) on a Friday. It is envisaged some developmental and experiential work will take place in this group as well as clinical discussions about clients or clinical issues. It is not intended to replace your regular clinical supervision. The groups will be facilitated by our Clinical Associates Damian McCann and Leah Davidson both or whom have extensive experience of group supervision.
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Essentials of Sexual Minority Therapy
3 weekends - From 25th September 2010 & from 12th March 2011
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 Do you offer counselling or psychotherapy to lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender clients?
Are you confident that you have had sufficient knowledge and training to work competently with sexual minority clients?
Would you be interested in updating your knowledge and have an opportunity to work on your values, belief and attitudes in this area?
Pink Therapy, the UK's leading sexual minority therapy training provider is offering a six day training in the Essentials of Sexual Minority Therapy.
Award: Attendance Certificate in Essentials of Sexual Minority Therapy
Attendance at individual weekends is also possible, subject to availability, but priority is given to people booking for the whole course.
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The Development of the Self & the Function of the Therapeutic Relationship
Judy Yellin
Saturday 29 January 2011 - 1 to 7pm
|  How do we get a self? What do we mean by 'having a sense of self'? How secure or insecure do we feel about who we are and our connections to others? How is our sense of self shaped in a homophobic, gendered culture?
This workshop will explore the idea that, from the beginning of life, we construct our 'senses of self', including our sexual and gendered selves, from our experiences of being in interaction with others. We will look at some ideas about the relational nature of the 'self', drawn from contemporary approaches to psychoanalytic psychotherapy. Using concepts from attachment theory, we will think about how our sense of ourselves develops initially within the context of our early relationships with others, and continues to emerge and change through our interactions with significant others throughout life.
Research into early attachments has shown the enduring and vital necessity of a secure and reliable connection to other people who are attuned to what we are feeling and who can respond appropriately. We will explore how traumatic failures of attunement, mutual recognition and response can impact negatively on the development of a stable yet flexible sense of self, and diminish our ability to create mutually satisfying close relationships throughout life. We will think in particular about the role played by shame and rejection in undermining a secure sense of self for both sexual minority clients and their therapists.
We will consider the potential of the therapeutic relationship to offer a secure base and facilitate the development of sufficient trust and safety to enable a different experience of 'self with other' that can allow the emergence of new, more creative 'senses of self'.
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Introduction to Psychosexual Therapy with Sexual Minorities
Dominic Davies & Naomi Adams
Two Day Weekend course
Saturday 26th - 1pm to 7pm and Sunday 27th February 2011 - 10am to 5pm |
 Unless one does a specialist sex therapy training, one is probably ill prepared for understanding much about sexuality issues. Even if one did do a psychosexual training, probably very little was mentioned about minority sexualities.
This two day workshop provides an introduction to some of the key issues in working therapeutically with lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender clients with psychosexual concerns, as well as clients involved in Kink/BDSM practices.
The workshop will cover current models of sexual response, the classification of sexual difficulties and a brief review of the literature and then explore some of the implicit assumptions in these hetero- normative models.
By widening our understanding of sex, sexuality and sexual difficulties we will give workshop participants an opportunity to explore some of the multiple contexts (sexuality, gender, age, ethnicity, culture, religion etc) that shape both clinicians and clients views of sexual difficulties and diverse sexual practices.
We will then move on to interactive exercises with the aim of helping participants develop practical skills in assessment and therapeutic interventions with individual clients and couples.
We hope that by the end of the two days, participants will feel a greater sense of confidence in incorporating discussions of sex and sexual functioning into their general clinical work and/or developing their psychosexual therapy.
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Self-Esteem Injury and the Social Context
Keith Silvester
Saturday 26 March 2011 - 1 to 7pm |
This day will look at the roots of homophobia (both internalised and externalised) from the standpoint of the development of self-esteem - or lack of it. Sometimes referred to as 'narcissistic wounding', the reverberations of low self-esteem play out not simply in terms of individual problems, but are a key determinant of the social politics of the gay scene. Low self-esteem arises from messages within the family of origin as well as the wider cultural context. Despite nearly four decades of gay liberation, and a widening of social opportunity, young LGBT people still suffer from low self-esteem, and it may take several generations to work through the effects of this collective history. The role of counselling and therapy is crucial to this process.
Aims: - To appreciate the relevance and importance of self- esteem injuries
- To recognise the manifestation of narcissism and its emotional and social effects
- To explore the contribution of counselling and therapy in healing such injuries
Objectives: To share the personal self-esteem histories of course participants within a safe and honouring space To acquire a working knowledge of theoretical perspectives in understanding low self-esteem To identify and develop working strategies for dealing with low self-esteem in client situations
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Drugs, Alcohol and Sex in the City
Toni Hogg
Saturday 9 October 2010 - 1pm - 7pm
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 Have parts of the LGBT community gone from 'Huggy to Hardcore, Dance floor to Saunas'? What are the latest drug trends and how are they impacting on sexual behaviours? Toni Hogg invites you to explore the complex ways in which the LGBT community use drugs and alcohol and become more familiar with the underlying issues.
The workshop will cover how to assess clients presenting with a range of drug, alcohol and sexual/sexuality/gender issues. It will provide the opportunity to explore personal and societal views and judgements we can make on substance use and sexual behaviours, and how these may impact on our client work.
The session will explore the specific function of drugs/alcohol in relation to socialising and sexual behaviours to gain a clearer understanding of the underlying issues and motivations. By gaining this insight, participants will be more able to recognise the difference between controlled recreational use and healthy choices around sexual behaviours as opposed to problematic, harmful use and sexual 'acting out'.
Humanistic approaches, which emphasise building a strong therapeutic relationship and engaging clients 'where they are' will be explored and a discussion will be had examining if such an approach can help the client address their drug/alcohol use within the specific context of their lives and communities. Other therapeutic interventions will also be considered.
The day will include interactive exercises and the use of case studies to facilitate both greater understanding and confidence when working with this complex client group.
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Working with LGBT Asylum Seekers and Refugees
Saturday 13 November 2010 - 13.00 to 19.00
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Trainer to be arranged, but please hold the date if you are interested in this workshop and either email us or check the website in a few weeks time |
Partnering Trans-identified and Trans-historied People - Problem or Pleasure?
Tina Livingstone
Saturday 11 December 2010 1pm - 7pm
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 Interest in sexual identity, sexual practices, and the transitioning of relationship in this area has thus far focussed on trans identified and trans-historied people themselves rather than their partners (Nemoto et al (1999);Docter and Fleming (2001); Smith et al (2002); Cuypere et al (2005); Hines (2006). Moreover whilst interest in the Trans' population has extended into Domestic Violence with incidence reported at an alarming rate of 48% (Engendered Penalties 2007) lack of research into the abuse received by their partners might wrongly infer that this is a non-issue.
As long as being Trans' remains socially stigmatised those who engage in relationships with them may find themselves stigmatised by association - wherever their sexual identity and orientation resides. This brings a unique layer of struggles for partners, beyond any issues within the relationship itself, such as the silencing of celebration.
Lev notes that "Transgendered people and their spouses can make compromises that will enable both partners to remain in their marriages and this can be a healthy decision for some people" (2004: 287); yet there's obviously stark contrast between negotiating balance and being compromised. There's also the question of those who are in existing gay partnerships - is being "queer squared" easier? And what about those who knowingly engage in relationship with the Trans' population - are they mega-queers for whom relating must be seamlessly smooth?
This workshop will draw on the personal and professional experiences of the facilitator, providing an enlightening whistle stop tour of the issues arising for those partnering trans-identified and trans-historied people, plus provide time to explore in greater depth, via case studies and discussion, some of the most common struggles including
Reframing sexual desires and intimate practices
The de-construction and co-construction of sexual identity
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Transgressing the boundaries of partnership
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Understanding Kink and BDSM
Meg Barker
Saturday 15 Jan 2011 1pm - 7pm
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 BDSM (bondage and discipline, domination and submission and sadomasochism) is perhaps the most demonized form of consensual sexuality, still criminalized in the UK and pathologised as a 'paraphilia' in the DSM. Much training material for therapists and counsellors still perpetuates negative myths about BDSM practices despite lack of evidence for any link between such practices and psychological problems.
This workshop encourages participants to reflect on their own belief systems around BDSM. It examines the variety of 'kinky' practices, drawing on existential approaches to consider the multiple meanings these may have for clients. Common myths around BDSM are challenged and the most up-to-date research on BDSM presented. Attendees consider various case-studies to think about how they might work with kinky/BDSM clients, including those whose identity/practice is unrelated to their presenting problem, those who are concerned about their identity/practice, and those who regard their identity/practice as linked to the therapeutic experience. Relationships between BDSM and self-harming practices will also be explored.
We are increasingly having enquiries from members of the BDSM/Kink Community or people wishing to explore this side of themselves with a non-pathologising therapist. We highly recommend this workshop to anyone interested in working in this area.
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Working with Gender Identity
Michelle Bridgman
Saturday 30 April 2011 13.00-19.00
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 Participants will gain an understanding of the issues affecting people who do not fit a binary gender model and/or are transgendered.
You will gain an understanding of:
Terminology
Current clinical treatment pathways for people questioning their gender identity
Pathways for those seeking gender re-assignment
Practical ideas that can be applied in your own therapy Practice
A Case study
How Psychotherapy can be effective in this field
Your own fears & concerns
How to embrace those fears and concerns and how to work with them
There has never been a more important time in the treatment of Transgendered people. DSM V is being reviewed. Standards of Care are being challenged and the whole picture in the field of transgendered health is under scrutiny.
Most importantly, you will leave feeling more confident in your ability to work in what is often seen as a very challenging field whilst, at the same time, enjoying an opportunity to explore your fears and concerns in a supportive environment with one of the world's most experienced clinicians on these issues.
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Working with the Older LGBT Person
David Richards
Saturday 14 May 2011 - 1pm - 7pm
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 This workshop explores the experience and psychic world of the older LGBT person. We will think about the specific interests and needs this client group might bring to therapy, and explore ways of working. The likelihood of working with a significant age difference in the therapy room can stimulate feelings and associations for both client and therapist, and we will explore the meaning of this. The approach will be informed by ideas from primarily psychodynamic theory, and also by social constructs of ageing. We will consider the essentially ageist nature of western society, and how LGBT people may be both similar and different to heterosexuals in their developmental needs and experiences as they grow older, and how these might be explored within the therapeutic relationship.
We will explore relational life and needs (including the challenges of long term couple relationships, inter-generational relationships, and the experience of ageing alone); the wider social and cultural arena (including the youth-oriented dynamics of the gay scene and the place of the older person); sex and sexuality (as seen by self and others); and the dynamics of the client/therapist relationship.
The day will involve discussion in larger and smaller groups and experiential exercises in order to explore these ideas.
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I'm Too Sexy: Sexual Compulsivity in Gay and Bisexual Men
Dominic Davies & Tim Foskett
Saturday 11th June 2011 - 1pm - 7pm
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 Gay and bisexual men are sometimes concerned about their sex lives being out of control. They may present for help with self-diagnosed "sexual addiction". In this workshop, we will offer some new ways of thinking about sexual compulsivity and explore whether the 'Addiction model' is appropriate for conceptualising and working with such issues.
Sexual addiction is not a recognised and validated diagnostic category in the DSM or ICD. Treatment approaches are largely sex negative, pathologising and can compound the shame the client is already feeling about their sexuality. They also lack a political and cultural analysis. In this workshop we will offer non-shaming, sexuality affirmative ways of conceptualising sexual expression - and explore some alternative ways of understanding and working with people who feel their sexuality is out of control.
We will explore how you can integrate some of these new concepts into your own therapeutic model. The seminar will be both didactic and experiential with opportunities to explore client and personal material. The workshop is open to therapists of all genders and sexual identities
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That's all for this month, thanks for your attention, and please do send us things that have a specific relevance to people working with gender and sexual minority clients. |
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Dominic Davies
Pink Therapy
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