BT08 Topical Panel 12 - Sexual Issues - Florence Kaslow, PhD, ABPP; Michele Weiner-Davis, MSW; Jeffrey Zeig, PhD

Description:

Educational Objectives:

1. To describe the use of brief therapy techniques in specific clinical situations.

*Sessions may be edited for content and to preserve confidentiality*

Outline:

Introduction and Panel Format

• Panel on brief sex therapy; Janice Abrams Spring absent.

• Panelists: Dr. Florence Kaslow, Michele Weiner-Davis, Jeffrey Zeig.

• Format: 10-minute talks per panelist, followed by repartee and audience Q&A.

Dr. Florence Kaslow: Early Experience and Cultural Sensitivity

• Recounts 1970s sex therapy clinic and teaching experiences.

• Shares humorous story about purchasing sex toys abroad.

• Stresses cultural sensitivity in sex therapy and taking sexual histories.

• Emphasizes adaptability when working across cultures.

Sexuality in Post-Stroke Patients

• Notes lack of attention to sex in stroke recovery.

• Stresses importance of physical exams and involving both partners.

• Describes a high-drive/low-drive couple who compromised successfully.

Intimacy Across the Lifespan

• Recommends The Sexual Crucible for its focus on intimacy dynamics.

• Shares vignette of elderly couple negotiating differing libidos.

• Encourages emotional closeness, self-validation, and adaptability with age.

• Warns about the internet’s negative effects on marital connection.

Michelle Weiner-Davis: Sexual Desire Gaps

• Defines “sex starved marriage” due to mismatched libidos.

• Critiques scheduled sex advice; prefers open, ongoing communication.

• Stresses addressing the sexual relationship directly—not just emotional issues.

Jeffrey Zeig: Hypnosis in Sex Therapy

• Describes hypnosis as experiential and state-changing.

• Uses “four-wheel drive” model: change thoughts, behavior, state, and physiology.

• Applies hypnosis for low desire and painful sex.

• Emphasizes the need for mutual understanding and communication.

Sexual Avoidance and Trauma

• Links sexual avoidance to past abuse.

• Shares example of a woman avoiding sex due to childhood trauma.

• Recommends addressing trauma roots and using hypnosis to create healing moments.

Mixed-Orientation Relationships

• Question raised about heterosexual partners in relationships with bisexual spouses.

• Michele addresses issues of infidelity fears and insecurity.

• Offers example of a bisexual partner choosing monogamy.

• Kaslow reinforces importance of trust and respect in long-term marriage.

Improving Communication

• Steve Cartman lists blocks to sex: fear, disgust, deprivation.

• Kaslow promotes “I” statements to reduce blame.

• Michele encourages specific, actionable communication for satisfaction.

• Emphasis on both partners feeling heard and understood.

Sexuality in Pre-Teens

• Question about handling early sexual behavior in a pre-teen boy.

• Zeig recommends metaphors and social games for learning boundaries.

• Suggests helping differentiate early vs. late social development stages.

• Advises how to respond to inappropriate expressions like letters.

Reigniting Past Success

• Question about a couple where prior sexual improvements faded.

• Michele advises revisiting what previously worked.

• Kaslow suggests exploring power/control dynamics beneath the issue.

• All panelists stress ongoing communication, compromise, and mutual effort.