Our sexual experiences can be some of our most private and meaningful experiences. Sex can be creative, generative and life affirming. What happens when essential, libidinal energy is compulsive, ritualistic and“out of control,” and does damage to the patient and his relationships? What are the meanings of theses behaviors? How does the clinician make use of the disclosure of these behaviors to facilitate intimacy and growth? This course will explore multimodal approach to conceptualizing and treating individuals and couples when issues of perversion or sexual compulsivity arise. We will examine factors associated with sexual compulsion, such as substance abuse, system dynamics and unresolved trauma, and we will assess contributions and limitations of the current treatment models. The work of Freud, Stoller, Khan and others will inform our conservation. Clinical examples and working in the relational frame will be addressed through discussion and experiential exercises.

Ben Goldstone, M.A., MFT, is in private practice as a marriage and family therapist in Berkeley. He specializes in the treatment of relational disorders and drug and alcohol abuse. He has worked in a wide range of settings including maximum security prison units, residential chemical dependency programs, and family therapy agencies. He is on staff at Kaiser-Walnut Creek where he works in chemical dependency services with adolescents and families. He speaks regularly on various topics including sex addiction, spirituality and recovery, cross addictions, and use of expressive arts in addiction treatment. He has given trainings around the Bay Area. Additional information is available at www.BenGoldstone.com.