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Digital Seminar

The Healing Power of Pleasure

Somatic Awareness, Relational Repair, and Mindfulness Strategies to Support Long-Term Trauma Recovery in Women

Speaker:
Tammy Nelson, PhD
Duration:
1 Hour 02 Minutes
Format:
Audio and Video
Copyright:
Apr 30, 2026
Product Code:
POS150785
Media Type:
Digital Seminar

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Description

Clinicians today are witnessing unprecedented levels of trauma among women and, for many, the invisible disconnection from pleasure can be just as harmful as symptoms like flashbacks and hypervigilance. 

And while your women clients may not even think to bring up the loss of their sensuality, ongoing disconnection from it serves as a barrier to their recovery.

In this session, Dr. Tammy Nelson – sought-after sex and relationship expert and author of several books, including the acclaimed Integrative Sex & Couples Therapy: A Therapist’s Guide to New and Innovative Approaches – will show you how pleasure can override traumatic memories and help heal the brain. You’ll learn:

  • Tools to recognize pleasure denial and avoidance as trauma responses that perpetuate disconnection
  • Somatic and relational strategies for rebuilding pleasure capacity so your clients can reclaim body joy
  • How to create empowering spaces for women to rediscover self-trust, confidence, and agency

Credit

Speaker

Tammy Nelson, PhD's Profile

Tammy Nelson, PhD Related seminars and products


Tammy Nelson, PhD, is a licensed psychotherapist in private practice, a relationship and international speaker, an author, a faculty member and teacher with a Doctorate in Philosophy in Clinical Sexology. She is a board-certified sexologist, a diplomate of the American Board of Sexologists, a licensed professional counselor, an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist, a registered art therapist, a licensed alcohol and drug counselor, a Certified Imago Relationship Therapist and an Advanced Imago Clinician as well as an ISTI Certified Sex and Couples Therapist.

Dr. Tammy is the author of six books, including Open Monogamy: A Guide to Co-Creating Your Ideal Relationship Agreement (2021), Integrative Sex & Couples Therapy: A Therapist’s Guide to New and Innovative Approaches (2020), When You’re the One Who Cheats: Ten Things You Need to Know (2019), The New Monogamy: Redefining Your Relationship After Infidelity (2013), Getting the Sex You Want: Shed Your Inhibitions and Reach New Heights of Passion Together (2008), and What’s Eating You? A Workbook for Anorexia and Bulimia (2004). She is also the creator of Date Night Card Deck (2023), a TEDx speaker, host of the podcast The Trouble with Sex, and founder and executive director of the Integrative Sex Therapy Institute.

 

Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Dr. Tammy Nelson maintains a private practice and is executive director and primary faculty at Integrated Sex Therapy Training Institute (ISTI) and has employment relationships with Daybreak University and the California Institute of Integral Studies. She receives a speaking honorarium and recording, and book royalties from PESI, Inc., and she additionally receives royalties from New Harbinger and Sounds True. She is a paid consultant for Evergreen Certifications. Dr. Nelson has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Dr. Tammy Nelson serves on the board of advisors for the World Association of Sex Coaches. She is a member of the American Art Therapy Association, American Association of Sex Educators, Sex Counselors, and Sex Therapists (AASECT), American Comprehensive Energy Psychology Association (ACEP), American Counseling Association, American Family Therapy Academy, American Family Therapy Association (AFTA), American Psychological Association (APA), Connecticut Counselors, Imago Relationships International Association of Professional and Certified Therapists, International Board of Sexologists, International Institute for Sexuality and Human Development, Nonfiction Authors Association, Society Scientific Study Sexuality (SSSS), and the Society for Sex Therapy and Research (SSTAR).


Additional Info

Access for Self-Study (Non-Interactive)

Access never expires for this product.


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Additional CE Info

For a more detailed outline that includes times or durations of time, if needed, please contact cepesi@pesi.com.


Objectives

  1. Identify the neurobiological and psychological mechanisms by which trauma disrupts the experience of pleasure, desire, and embodiment in women.
  2. Evaluate guilt, shame, and pleasure avoidance as trauma responses that contribute to long-term disconnection from self and relationships.
  3. Utilize evidence-informed interventions that integrate somatic awareness, relational repair, and pleasure-focused techniques to support long-term trauma recovery in women.

Outline

Introduction and Overview 

  • Pleasure Disorders as a framework for trauma recovery
  • Prevalence and impact of sexual and relational trauma among women
  • The link between trauma, embodiment, and pleasure

The Neurobiology of Pleasure and Trauma     

  • Overview of brain and nervous system pathways involved in pleasure and safety
  • How chronic trauma alters the body’s capacity for desire and arousal
  • Pleasure as a regulatory and healing state  

Psychological and Relational Dimensions  

  • Guilt, shame, and pleasure avoidance as trauma adaptations
  • How pleasure denial manifests in clinical settings
  • Case vignette: working with a client struggling with pleasure recovery 

Clinical Applications and Interventions  

  • Somatic and relational strategies for rebuilding pleasure capacity
  • Integrating body-based awareness and mindfulness in trauma therapy
  • Therapist self-awareness and vicarious pleasure trauma 
  • Using integrative treatment
  • Healing the Sexual Space
  • The future for women
  • Limitations of the research and potential risks

Target Audience

  • Counselors
  • Social Workers
  • Psychologists
  • Psychiatrists
  • Marriage and Family Therapists
  • Addiction Counselors
  • Other Mental Health Professionals

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