When They Say Porn is the Problem:
Clinical Conceptualizations and Treatment
for this Phenomenon Grounded in Mental Health
SATURDAY, April 22, 2023
from 9:30am-1:45pm
4 CE Credits
Length of presentation:
4 hours, including brief breaks
presented by

Diane C. Gleim, LMFT, CST, CST-S
License #44429
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
AASECT Certified Sex Therapist
AASECT Certified Sex Therapist Supervisor
Members: $25
Non-Members: $50
Overview of presentation:
In the 21st century, pornography has become the lightning rod where sexuality, technology, and morality all collide. As a result, it is a confusing subject for most, including the mental health profession. Our profession marginalizes sex: there is and has been a profound erotophobia across the field for generations. Furthermore, it has been difficult for our profession to see the role morality plays in our understanding and treatment of human sexuality issues. Current research shows that therapist training in sexuality is often limited in scope and depth and this directly impacts a clinician’s comfort and competence in working with any sexual issue. Without critical thinking and additional specialized training, therapists can default to sex-negative, pop culture-informed, or traditional gendered stereotypes about all things sex. This of course includes ideas about pornography. The thoughtful therapist is aware of this but may not know what else to think, where to turn for more information, or how else to help their clients when pornography is the stated problem.
Goals:
In this four-hour intermediate-level course, attendees will first get a primer on porn literacy -- a new way to conceptualize and relate to pornography without pathologizing or shaming. Recent research about pornography viewers and a client-centered perspective on pornography will be also presented.
Attendees may find their previous assumptions challenged and their biases identified. Finally, attendees will learn tools for their sex-positive toolkit to help both individuals and couples when pornography is causing conflict.
Learning Objectives:
At the end of this presentation, participants will be able to:
1. Compare the different elements regarding what pornography is, is not, can be, and is ambiguous about.
2. Identify four factors that make a client vulnerable to pornography issues.
3. Describe the difference between an intrapersonal conflict and interpersonal conflict when it comes to porn.
4. Apply two interventions to help clients with pornography issues.
IMPORTANT--please be advised
This presentation will be discussing modern-day pornography and sexual expression. At times, the presenter will use very specific language to discuss certain sexual curiosities, attractions, behaviors, etc. So while there will not be graphic visual imagery, there will be graphic verbal discussion.
If you have concerns, please email admin@sdnc-camft.org. And if you think any of this may be upsetting to you, we encourage you to take care of yourself during the training. And in the end, this may not be the right training for you.
NOTE: THIS EVENT TAKES PLACE ON A SATURDAY MORNING.