This self-access class explores how commitment issues can present within contemporary sex and relationship therapy. It examines the many factors that may lead individuals to reconsider their attitudes towards relationships, commitment, intimacy, and sexual expression.
The course considers the challenges service users may face when navigating dating, managing new or existing relationships, and preparing for significant relational changes, such as opening a relationship, exploring consensual non-monogamy, or changing patterns of sexual behaviour. Participants will also be encouraged to reflect on their own values, assumptions, and ethical perspectives when working with diverse relationship structures and experiences.
This self-access class is a recording of a live event held in June 2026.
Session Structure
- Reflecting on ethical practice, therapist assumptions, and working with diverse client experiences.
- Understanding contemporary presentations of commitment issues in therapy.
- Exploring attachment, fear of loss, rejection sensitivity, and changing attitudes towards commitment.
- Considering attraction, desire, fraysexuality, and alternative relationship models.
- Examining personal development, generational shifts, and changing relationship expectations.
- Understanding the impact of separation, loss, and relationship transitions.
- Supporting clients through dating, repartnering, recovery, and relational change in mid-life.
- Exploring consensual non-monogamy, sexual freedom, and evolving relationship structures.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this class, you will be able to:
- Identify and assess the different ways commitment issues may present in contemporary sex and relationship therapy, including changes in attraction, dating behaviours, and relationship structures.
- Evaluate the psychological, relational, and sociocultural factors that can influence attitudes towards commitment, including consensual non-monogamy, relationship anarchy, and mid-life relationship transitions.
- Apply practical strategies to support clients in navigating dating, managing evolving relationships, and preparing for significant relational changes, while reflecting on personal values and ethical considerations within therapeutic practice.
About the Trainer
Cate Campbell is a Psychosexual and Relationship Therapist working privately with individuals, couples and families. She has particular interest in trauma, dating, attachment and neurodiversity.
She is a supervisor, both in private practice and for agencies which have included Relate and Rape Crisis, and an EMDR UK consultant.
She has been a lecturer with the Foundation for Counselling & Relationship Studies and the Relate Institute, taught CBT at Amersham & Wycombe College and was a visiting lecturer at University College London for several years.
Publications include The Relate Guide to Sex & Intimacy, Love & Sex in A New Relationship, Contemporary Sex Therapy and Sex Therapy: The Basics. She co-presents The Real Sex Education podcast.
