Recovery of Intimacy and Sexuality Following PTSD
Presented by Dr. Suzy Matthijssen
Suzy Matthijssen, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist-psychotherapist, senior researcher, and both a CBT and EMDR consultant and accredited trainer. She is the Director of the PSYTREC Academy, the world’s largest trauma clinic, and founder and director of the Enhancing Trauma Treatment Institute.
Recovery of Intimacy
and Sexuality
Following PTSD
Dr. Suzy Matthijssen
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Eastern Time
Live Online via Zoom
Intermediate
90 day access to the recording
$199 CAD + tax
$180 USD
Registration is now open
Workshop Description
This one-day workshop addresses intimacy and sexuality difficulties following PTSD, especially after sexual or interpersonal trauma. Clinicians gain theory and practical tools to address shame, disgust, avoidance, and fear. Through lecture, case discussion, demonstrations, and role play, participants learn to restore safe, meaningful sexual and relational connection within trauma treatment.
Many people with PTSD struggle with problems related to sexuality and intimacy, in addition to the well-known core symptoms. Reduced desire, pain, shame, disgust, fear of closeness and relational tensions are common. These complaints rarely disappear on their own, even after successful trauma treatment. Without focused attention, the impact on daily life remains great.
During this one-day 6-hour workshop, you will receive practical and scientifically substantiated tools to identify, discuss and treat sexual and relational problems in PTSD – in all phases of recovery.
Participants will receive practical and theoretical tools to recognize and treat sexual and relational problems in PTSD. Attention is paid to:
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Psychoeducation and anamnesis strategies
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Evidence-based interventions for intimacy/sexuality recovery
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Involving partners in the treatment
Learning Objectives
Participants will be able to:
✔ Explain the prevalence and types of sexual dysfunction following PTSD.
✔ Identify at least two (2) dysfunction maintaining mechanisms.
✔ Identify treatment phases (when and in which trauma treatment phase) where addressing intimacy and sexuality is most appropriate.
✔ Apply at least two (2) cognitive and imagery-based interventions as preparation, interweaves,
or adjuncts within EMDR therapy.
✔ Apply partner and systemic perspectives into EMDR treatment or other trauma treatments of PTSD-related intimacy problems.
Who should attend
✔ Psychologists, Social Workers, Psychotherapists, MFTs, LPCs, graduate-level Counselors, other mental health professionals *Completion of an EMDRIA approved Basic EMDR training is required to attend this workshop
✔ Therapists working with trauma, attachment wounds, and dissociation
✔ Therapists wanting clinical tools to integrate sexuality and intimacy into trauma treatment using evidence-informed strategies.
The Envision Difference
100% Online via Zoom
Live Q&A with
Dr. Suzy Matthijssen
90 day access to the recording and materials
Certificate with CE's for home study version
(watching the recording)
Practical applicable clinical learning
Workshop Schedule - Eastern Time (ET)
10:00 am - 11:30 am
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Review of learning objectives
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Sexual problems and dysfunctions after trauma and how to address within EMDR treatment
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PTSD after sexual trauma: prevalence and clinical presentation
11:30 am - 11:45 am
Break
11:45 am - 1:15 pm
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Mechanisms: disgust, shame, and “mental contamination”
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Case Examples
1:15 pm - 1:45 pm
Break
1:45 pm - 3:15 pm
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Clinical focus: addressing intimacy and sexuality before, during, and after EMDR treatment; how to practically deal with it within the EMDR framework
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Discussion and Q&A
3:15 pm - 3:30 pm
Break
3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
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Interventions: cognitive restructuring and imagery modification for intimacy and sexuality recovery
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Partner perspective and systemic considerations
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Integration into EMDR treatment and aftercare
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Closing discussion and Q&A
Continuing Education (CE) Credits:
6 CE credits/contact hours awarded
*CE credits also available for the home study version (watching the recording)!
See our FAQ section below for more information
American Psychological Association (APA)
Envision Counselling & Consulting, Inc. is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Envision Counselling & Consulting, Inc. maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
Association of Social Work Board (ASWB)
Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program.
Envision Counselling and Consulting, Inc., #1895, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 1/19/2025-1/19/2028. Social workers completing this course receive 6 clinical continuing education credits.
National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC)
Envision Counselling and Consulting has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7241. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Envision Counselling and Consulting is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
Canadian Psychological Association (CPA)
Envision Counselling & Consulting, Inc. is approved by the Canadian Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists. Envision Counselling & Consulting, Inc. maintains responsibility for the program.
Canadian Counselling & Psychotherapy Association (CCPA)
Envision Counselling & Consulting, Inc. is approved by the Canadian Counselling & Psychotherapy Association (CCPA) to sponsor continuing education. This workshop is approved for 6 CEC.
EMDRIA - Pending CEs
NAADAC,The Association for Addiction Professionals - Pending CEs
Please ensure to check with your individual state boards/regulatory body to verify Continuing Education Credit Hours requirements and if the workshop you are planning to take qualifies. Licensing Boards change regulations often and while we attempt to stay abreast of their most recent changes, if you have questions or concerns about a specific course meeting your specific board’s approval, we recommend you contact your board directly to obtain a ruling.
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About Dr. Suzy Matthijssen
Suzy Matthijssen, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist-psychotherapist, senior researcher, and both a CBT and EMDR consultant and accredited trainer. She is the Director of the PSYTREC Academy, the world’s largest trauma clinic, and founder and director of the Enhancing Trauma Treatment Institute. Her clinical and research work focuses on optimizing trauma treatments, Imagery Rescripting (ImRs), EMDR 2.0, and mechanisms of change in trauma-focused therapies. She serves on the board of the Dutch EMDR Association and is a member of the scientific committee of EMDR Europe.