EMDR Applications In Sex Therapy: Treating Sexual Trauma, Shame, and Dysfunction through the AIP Model

Course overview

This training explores the application of EMDR therapy to clients presenting with sexual concerns, including trauma, shame, performance anxiety, and arousal or desire difficulties. Grounded in the Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model, participants will learn to conceptualize sexual symptoms as manifestations of maladaptively stored memory networks. The program provides a structured approach to identifying and sequencing targets, applying all eight phases of EMDR therapy, and addressing common clinical challenges such as somatic activation, dissociation, and blocking points. Emphasis is placed on maintaining fidelity to the EMDR model while adapting clinical application to address the complexity of sexual material. Participants will also develop skills in integrating somatic awareness and arousal-based considerations into EMDR processing, as well as making informed clinical decisions regarding pacing, stabilization, and adjunctive interventions. Instructional methods include didactic presentation and case-based application.