Sexual trauma is incredibly common, and it often negatively influences the sexual and romantic lives of survivors. Taking time to heal, finding ways to work through the trauma, and creating strong coping mechanisms during recovery from sexual trauma is important, but what happens after that? How does one gain a positive relationship with sex after the experience of sexual trauma or move into a healthy sexual relationship?
It is crucial to consider the sexual lives of survivors of sexual trauma beyond the trauma itself, especially as it relates to the pursuit of sexual pleasure. This training will cover the latest research on exploring sexual pleasure after experiencing sexual trauma. We will discuss evidence-based approaches to creating a clinical space that provides an opportunity for clients to explore their own sexual pleasure, feel empowered by their sexual autonomy, and be open to healthy sexual relationships with others.
Main training take aways:
- The impacts of sexual trauma on the ability to access sexual pleasure in their service users,
- how Service Users can navigate communicating their experiences of sexual trauma to future partners,
- Strategies for pursuing a healthy pleasure-filled sex life post-sexual trauma, and
- The role of lifelong sexual health education in navigating a healthy sex life after experiencing sexual trauma
About the Trainer
Dr Kristen Mark PHD MPH is a sex and relationships researcher, educator, and therapist specialising in the sexual well-being of couples. Specifically, her work centres around sexual function, sexual trauma, sexual pleasure, and the importance of lifelong sexual health education in navigating a healthy pleasure-filled sex life.
She is the Joycelyn Elders Endowed Chair and Professor at University of Minnesota Medical School in the Eli Coleman Institute for Sexual and Gender Health within the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health. Dr. Mark’s training is interdisciplinary, with degrees in psychology, family science, biostatistics, and public health and her research and therapeutic approaches are as interdisciplinary as her training. Dr Mark consistently publishes scientific research in top journals in sexual and relationship health and has presented her work at hundreds of conferences nationally and internationally. Additionally, Dr Mark is regularly relied upon as an expert to digest sex and relationship science to print, radio, and television media.
