PSFT 6763 - Intimacy: Sexuality, Couple and Sex Therapy (3)

This course is designed to provide students with an advanced theoretical model and evidence based information regarding couple therapy and an integrative, multidimensional, biopsychosocial approach to the diagnosis and treatment of sexual difficulties in individuals, couples, and families. The great majority of theory and practice studied will be based on systems theory, the Gottman model, and Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy.  We will discuss assessment of sexual problems including disorders of desire, arousal, orgasm, and pain.  We will also examine the impact of physical and sexual trauma and human development on relationship and sexual functioning.  Emphasis will be placed on relationship processes that influence healthy and dysfunctional couple relationship style.  The course will also address students developing a model of premarital therapy.  Students are encouraged to be open to helping create a learning environment that is built upon critical thinking, self-disclosure, collegiality and respect.

Instruction on couple therapy, sexuality, and sex therapy will emphasize assessment and etiology of client difficulties, theoretical treatment models and methods, research informed treatment strategies and techniques, management of client compliance to treatment, cultural, spiritual, and religious considerations, and the integration of marital, couple, and sex therapy.

Course materials will be presented using a variety of methods including lecture, discussion, multimedia interaction, and online instructions (e.g., Google Apps services).