Let's Talk about Sex: Clinical Supervision Group

Sexuality inevitably arises in our clinical work, often influencing both patient and clinician in ways that may be subtle but powerful. These moments can evoke complex emotions, including shame, vulnerability, and uncertainty, which when unexamined, may lead to impasses, ruptures, or ethical dilemmas. This is compounded by the fact that many training programs do not adequately cover sexuality as a clinical theme or issue. 

This supervision group is designed to provide a supportive and thoughtful space where clinicians from all backgrounds can deepen their understanding of the complex ways that sexuality, sexual issues, and related dynamics may appear in treatment. Some objectives are as follows: 

  1. Increase comfort and competency assessing for and addressing sexual issues 

  2. Expand repertoire for thinking psychodynamically about sex/sexuality in treatment

  3. Build awareness of own biases pertaining to sex and sexuality

  4. Strengthen conceptualization of sexual issues

  5. Create a consistent, supportive community for therapists to process clinical material related to sex/sexuality and erotic transference/counter-transference

About the Group Leader:

Dr. Ali Shames-Dawson’s research and clinical expertise integrate psychoanalytic, attachment, and social-developmental perspectives to explore questions of sexual subjectivity, gender socialization, and embodiment. Her work examines the intersections of culture, power, and desire with sexual orientation and sexual agency, relevant to issues such as boundary violations, sexual consent negotiations, compulsive sexual behaviors, and sexual trauma. Dr. Shames-Dawson is an award winning researcher, recognized by the APA Division 51 for her doctoral research integrating relational psychoanalysis and the study of men and masculinities, and she teaches graduate-level courses on sexuality and clinical practice. She is a licensed clinical psychologist and the Director of Education at Therapists of New York. Her approach emphasizes the centrality of intersectionality, embodiment, and unconscious processes to both human sexuality and psychotherapy process.

This is a clinical supervision group; readings will not be assigned unless requested.

Virtual
Start date end of March, Tues or Thurs afternoons (2 or 3pm TBD based on participants’ preferences/availability.)
$90/session (sliding scale available)
Maximum Participants: 6 - 9 therapists

Email ashamesdawson@therapistsofny.com if you are interested in joining or learning more about the group. Some of her writing on sexuality can be viewed at Public Seminar.