Almost everyone has sexual fantasies, and those fantasies serve a number of important functions. Despite the vital role they play in our lives, fantasies are all too often a potent source of shame, embarrassment, and anxiety. A big part of the reason for this is that fantasies remain poorly understood. The goal of this class is therefore to offer an in-depth exploration of the science of sexual fantasy. Dr Justin Lehmiller synthesizes the latest research on this subject and shares practical takeaways.
People seeking psychosexual and relationship therapy often have concerns about whether their fantasies are “normal” and feel great shame about them. A thorough understanding of the science of sexual fantasies can therefore assist psychosexual and relationship therapists in treating their service users more effectively. The information in this presentation is also of use when working with those who wish to share or act on their fantasies but are unsure of how to do so.
Learners will learn about the most common types of sexual fantasies and where they come from, as well as tips for sharing and acting on fantasies in a healthy way.
This is a recording of the live seminar in March 2022.
Learning outcomes:
- Identify the seven most common types of sexual fantasies.
- Describe the difference between sexual fantasy and sexual desire, as well as how these constructs overlap.
- Identify several factors that contribute to fantasy content and variation.
- Identify several practical ways of sharing sexual fantasies with a partner.
About the Trainer
Dr Justin Lehmiller is a social psychologist and Research Fellow at The Kinsey Institute. He runs the Sex and Psychology blog and podcast and is the author of the popular book Tell Me What You Want: The Science of Sexual Desire and How It Can Help You Improve Your Sex Life. Dr Lehmiller is an award-winning educator, having been honoured three times with the Certificate of Teaching Excellence from Harvard University, where he taught for several years. He is also a prolific researcher who has published more than 50 academic works, including a textbook titled The Psychology of Human Sexuality that is used in college classrooms around the world. Dr Lehmiller is a much sought-after voice in the media on sexuality research and education. He has been interviewed by The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and CNN, and he has appeared on dozens of international radio, podcast, and television programs.
