Somatic Experiencing Applied to Sexuality
Date and Time:
Friday, October 10th, 2025: 9:00 AM-2:30 PM
LOCATION:
1700 W Irving Park Road, Suite 302
Chicago, IL 60613
Workshop Description:
Sexuality is a vital part of our identities and relationships, and many of our clients come with challenges in intimate relationships or feel fully disconnected from their sexual selves. Yet these issues are rarely addressed in therapy due to their vulnerability. Clients often feel uncomfortable discussing sexual issues, and many mental health professionals lack the training to navigate these topics effectively. This gap creates an opportunity to educate clients on the true nature of sexuality—beyond what is portrayed in media—and to normalize the sexual concerns that may be hindering their healing.
This workshop aims to provide practitioners with practical tools grounded in Sex Therapy education as well as Somatic Experiencing principles to help clients reconnect with their bodies and address sexual concerns. Participants will gain an understanding of the SE model, learn how to assess sexual history, and identify common dysfunctions. You will also explore how working collaboratively with other professionals can help normalize sexual issues, support clients in accepting their bodies and desires, and foster healthier, more fulfilling sexual relationships.
Course Objectives:
Learn Basic principles of Sex Therapy and Somatic Experiencing applied to sexual issues in relationships
Learn how to deepen and expand embodiment and pleasure in comfortable, titrated ways
Understand the SE framework to assess where clients are stuck in the fight, flight, or freeze responses and provides clinical tools to resolve these fixated physiological states
Develop tools to help clients connect the mind and body in intimate settings
Audience:
Professional Counselors
Social Workers
Marriage and Family Therapists
Psychologists
Presenters:
Ewelina Beardmore LCPC, CST, SEP
Ewelina Beardmore is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC), Certified Sex Therapist (CST) and Somatic Experiencing Professional (SEP) who uses a relational, somatic and strength-based model to help individuals and couples gain awareness of the roles and the dynamics present in their relationships. She has expertise in helping individuals heal from traumas such as sexual assault, childhood abuse as well as physical and emotional abuse, and is passionate about helping individuals overcome the challenges of significant life transitions such as infertility, postpartum struggles and parenthood. Ewelina values the role and importance of sexuality in clients' overall health, and helps clients overcome challenges such as lack of intimacy, sexual and gender identity, desire discrepancy, postpartum recovery impacting sexual health, difficulties with orgasm, compulsive sexual behaviors, erectile dysfunctions and painful intercourse. She is sex-positive, kink-friendly and affirming of polyamorous relationships. Ewelina is a Certified Sex Therapist through the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapist (AASECT). In addition, Ewelina has completed Level 1 Training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy, and is trained in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), which allows her to assist couples improve their communication styles and explore goals throughout each stage of their relationship. She is also trained in a variety of treatment modalities including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Somatic Experiencing (SE), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help clients manage anxiety and depression. Ewelina's international background allows her to connect with individuals struggling with cross-cultural issues and assist in developing coping skills to manage life's obstacles. Additionally, she has offered guidance to clients on issues involving work-life balance and behavioral and emotional health in an employee assistance setting. Ewelina earned a Master’s in Clinical Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, graduating with honors. She is fluent in French and offers services in this language.
Parking:
If you plan on taking public transportation, we are a 5-minute walk from the Irving Park stop on the CTA Brown Line.
If you plan to drive, you can find free parking spots on Irving Park Road or Paulina Street. Hermitage Street requires a permit until 5:00pm Monday-Friday,
Continuing Education Hours:
This program, when attended in its entirety, offers 5.0 CEs for Psychologists, 5.0 IL CEUS for Counselors and Social Workers, 5.0 BBS California CEUs for LPCCs, LPSWs, and LMFTs, or 5.0 AASECT CEs for Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists.
Refund Policy: 100% of tuition is refundable up to 48 hours before the program. Within 48 hours of the program, and at any point in Homestudy format, tuition is nonrefundable.
Questions: Email Stephen at stephen@soleilpsychotherapy.com