Bodyful Practices and Somatic Interventions: A Weekend of Experiential Training

To say I had a transformative experience during my Level 1 training would be an understatement. As an AASECT certified sex therapist, I have completed many trainings that have helped shape me into the empathetic, sex positive clinician I am today. I had always heard of somatic sex therapy and how it can be helpful for clients, but never sought out an official training as I already felt confident in my skillset working with individuals and those in relationships. After feeling stuck in my creativity, I decided to take the plunge and found Melissa and the Embodied Relationships Counseling Center.
After my Level 1 training, I finally feel like I understand what erotic and sexual embodiment means and how important it is for all of us as we navigate our sexuality. The way Melissa presented her model and helped guide me through experiencials allowed me to access the information not only in a logical way, but also in an embodied one. I cannot wait to take Level 2 and learn more about this work.

Hands down the best sex therapy training I’ve had. I am newer to somatic approaches, and I found the training super inspiring, informative, approachable, supportive, and helpful. The tools and techniques were applicable and accessible. Since completing the training, I have integrated much of the learning and my clients are responsive to the exercises. I’m enjoying the meaning this approach has brought to my work as a sex therapist.

An excellent training for not only sex therapists, but for anyone interested in incorporating more body-centered work into their practice with patients/clients or in their own lives! This training helped me reframe the way I conceptualize my work with clients and I think will help get some people get out of "stuck" spots by getting out of their heads and more into their bodies.

The greatest thing I am taking with me from the training:
"I don't know if I can pick one. I use so many of the tools in my daily practice now. My clients and I find them to be invaluable in the work."

The greatest thing I am taking with me from the training:
"Besides the very clearly structured tools we can implement right away with clients and ourselves…. Just the motivation and relief that there is a somatic whole person centered and socio/culturally-informed approach to sexuality!"

Thanks again for the wonderful training this past weekend. I experienced a surprising amount of confidence as I sat with my couples yesterday in session. I could see much more information from the body and felt strong in practicing slowing down and making room for the present moment pieces. Thank you!

I liked the experiential practice in each section of the S-CST model. It was so helpful to break it down, discuss it, practice explaining how I would to clients, and facilitate the experientials, as well as experience them in my own body as an embodied "actor". The sculpting practice is a favorite because it is so dynamic and gets to the heart of the matter in a way that talking alone cannot access as effectively or quickly. I find it especially useful for couples that loop in the same patterns and share a lot of content which can become overwhelming for myself as the clinician.

It was so empowering to learn by doing than just learning by listening. This is the best way to apply theory into practice through a fully experiential and interactive education model. I never felt tired, bored or challenged past my ability to stay open to the learning.

More clinicians need to be able to work with their clients through this model, it gives such clear information to clients about how they experience themselves and partners. The experiential component was invaluable. It was so helpful to come back to theories previously learned with real world experience in them, and then work out any stumbling blocks we'd been encountering. I loved seeing how my peers are utilizing the same models in their own ways.

I liked the opportunities to learn from others and practice in a supportive environment; I believe it will expand the ways I understand the model and use it in my practice.