
Schema Therapy Training Canada Presents:
Sex and Schemas
Webinar
Speaker Ruth Holt - MClinPsych, BSocSci (HonsPsych), GradDipPsych, BA (Hons)
September 18, 1:00pm - 3:00pm EST
Many clients arrive in our rooms with sexual challenges, with research suggesting therapists often feel ill-equipped to raise or treat. This is particularly important when we are working with clients who have experienced early adversity. Clients who have experienced attachment trauma and abuse often have to address the impact on their sexual self.
The Workshop
This workshop aims to provide a brief over view of how to assess sexual challenges and bring a Schema Therapy formulation to how we treat these issues.
We will explore what happens when schemas like Defectiveness, Mistrust/ Abuse and Emotional Deprivation get activated in sexual experiences and how these can result in “Detached Protector” sex, “Perfectionistic Over-controller” sex or “ Self-Aggrandiser” sex (to name a few!).
This presentation will provide some ideas for how to assesses, formulate and build healthy adult sexuality in these common presentations: Low desire and pain during sex for women, sexually compulsive behaviour and desire discrepancies in couples, including a demonstration of using Imagery to explore low desire and anxiety related to sex.
Learning Objectives:
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Understand how to assess and formulate a client's sexual self
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Questions to ask to understand schemas and modes that are triggered by sexual intimacy
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How to use Imagery to explore underlying unmet needs related to sexuality
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Gain practical tools to grow Healthy Adult sexuality

Ruth Holt
Clinical Psychologist
Advanced Schema Therapist
(Individual and Couples)
Director, Schema Couples Therapy Australia
Biography
Ruth Holt is a Clinical Psychologist and Principal of Canberra Clinical and Forensic Psychology. She is a Certified Schema Therapist and Supervisor/ Trainer for both Individuals and Couples.
She works with individuals and couples with a range of presentations and conducts workshops and training in Schema therapy, clergy resilience, women’s mental health and abuse in relationships. Ruth has presented for the International Society of Schema Therapy, at the Australian Psychological Society’s Clinical College Conference, Moore Theological College and The University of Canberra.
Ruth is also a AHPRA board approved supervisor, supervising Clinical Psychology Registrars and postgraduate psychology placements with the University of Canberra, the Australian National University, the University of New England and Charles Sturt University.