Overview

This full-day workshop (9.00am - 4.30pm) provides a comprehensive framework for understanding clinical countertransference in the context of sex therapy. Participants will explore research and theories on countertransference, engage in reflective and collaborative exercises, and build practical skills for recognising and managing their own responses during therapeutic sessions.

The workshop will cover eight different types of countertransference and apply both Schema Therapy and Internal Family Systems (IFS) frameworks to help therapists understand how countertransference manifests in embodied experiences during therapy. Special attention will be given to the unique countertransference dynamics that arise in sex therapy.

Participants will learn in-the-moment strategies for noticing and managing their reactions, as well as techniques for deeper reflection to improve their practice and wellbeing.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this event, participants should be able to:

1. Identify and describe eight types of countertransference and how they may present during therapeutic sessions.
2. Apply Schema Therapy and Internal Family Systems frameworks to understand how countertransference may be embodied in the therapeutic process.
3. Recognise the unique countertransference challenges that arise in sex therapy, including those related to intimacy, boundaries, and erotic transference.
4. Implement in-the-moment strategies to manage countertransference responses during therapy sessions.
5. Engage in reflective practices to deepen self-awareness and explore personal triggers that may impact the therapeutic relationship.
6. Develop strategies for ongoing self-reflection to maintain emotional regulation and improve therapeutic outcomes.
7. Foster a collaborative therapeutic environment by managing countertransference in a way that supports the client’s healing process.

Presenter(s)

Dr. Sarah Ashton

About the presenter(s)

Dr. Sarah Ashton (she/her) is the Director and Founder of SHIPS, the first organisation dedicated to inclusive, trauma-informed, evidence-based sexual health psychology treatment. She is also the Founder and Lead Training Author The Institute of Sexual Health Psychology Australia (ISHPA) and the Coordinator of the MHPN Sexual and Mental Health Primary Health Network. She is a registered psychologist (AHPRA) and board approved supervisor (AHPRA) and member of the Society of Australian Sexologists. Dr. Ashton is also a lecturer and academic at RMIT and Deakin University and has recently co-authored Deakin Sex and Sexuality Unit. Her research on pornography has been published in The Journal of Sex Research, Porn Studies, and Feminism & Psychology as well as The Conversation and Red Magazine. Dr Ashton is passionate about liberating our fearful relationship with sex on a cultural level, making visible the voices of erotically marginalised communities, providing exceptional sexual health care for our community and raising the bar of healthcare by empowering practitioners with skills and knowledge.

Notes

Registration includes Morning & Afternoon Tea and Lunch.

Target Audience

This activity is aimed at psychologists and health professionals.

CPD

It is up to attendees to assess and determine how learning from this event aligns with the requirements of their learning plan. The providers accordingly do not make any representation that the event counts towards attendees’ CPD learning requirements. If an attendee determines themselves that the learning they complete aligns to their learning plan, then they can decide to count those hours towards their CPD requirements for the registration cycle.

The information in this presentation has been prepared in good faith and for educational purposes only. Therefore, the information is general in nature and should not be relied upon in the treatment of any condition and you should seek your own independent professional and/or legal advice concerning any specific issue. The APS accepts no responsibility for any errors, omissions or decisions relating to the information. The content should not be reproduced without permission or unless permitted by law.

If you are experiencing registration difficulties please contact APS Events Support.