Communicating Pleasure Across a Lifetime

Understanding pleasure requires a comprehensive view that encompasses biopsychosocial-sexual dimensions, recognizing how biological, psychological, and social factors interact to shape individual experiences of pleasure (Laan, Klein, Werner, van Lunsen, & Jansen, 2021). Pleasure is not a static phenomenon but a dynamic, lifelong process influenced by various stages of life and changes in personal circumstances. Thus, how we communicate about pleasure with a 5 year old will look different than with an 18 year old, a 30 year old and a 70 year old.

Communicating about pleasure takes various forms throughout a lifetime. Effective communication about pleasure between partners is crucial yet often challenging due to various barriers such as discomfort, lack of knowledge, or differing expectations. Identifying these barriers and implementing strategies to overcome them, like fostering open dialogue and building trust, is vital for enhancing mutual satisfaction. Additionally, in the context of sex therapy, addressing countertransference issues and personal biases is necessary to provide objective and empathetic support, ensuring that therapists can facilitate open and effective communication about pleasure without letting their own issues interfere.

After attending this intermediate-level program, participants will be able to:

• Explain individuals’ pleasure in a biopsychosocial context
• Discuss pleasure as a lifelong process.
• Define pleasure as an experience in the brain and body
• Identify barriers to communication about pleasure between partners
• Identify strategies to overcome barriers to pleasure based communication
• Discuss countertransference issues and biases in sex therapy

This program meets APA’s continuing education STANDARD 1.1: Program content focuses on application of psychological assessment and/or intervention methods that have overall consistent and credible empirical support in the contemporary peer reviewed scientific literature beyond those publications and other types of communications devoted primarily to the promotion of the approach.

This program meets APA’s continuing education GOAL 1: Program is relevant to psychological practice, education, and/or science.

This program meets AASECT Core Knowledge Area for:

B — Developmental sexuality from a bio-psycho-social perspective across the lifespan.

C — Socio-cultural factors (e.g. ethnicity, culture, religion, spirituality, socio-economic status, family values) in relation to sexual values and behaviors.

M — Pleasure enhancement skills.

O — Professional communication skills.

ACSSW Members: $10.00

General Admission: $50.00

The Chicago School Staff/Faculty/Students/Alumni: $25.00

Community Partners/Site Supervisors: $25.00

Non-The Chicago School Students: $25.00

(Please email [email protected] for coupon code)

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.

Andrea Battiola, Ed.S., LPC, LMHC, Owner & Founder of Peak Couples & Sex Therapy

Andrea Battiola, Ed.S, LPC, LMHC, . was drawn to the therapy field from a young age, specifically sex and couples therapy, because of the immense impact that our intimate relationships have on our lives. Our diversity in culture, gender, sexuality, religion, age, and ability both enriches and brings unique struggles to our relationships. However, no matter our background, we all desire to be loved and give love in our lives. This work allows her to be at the forefront of helping individuals and couples create the loving, dynamic, sexual, and mutually respectful relationships they desire. She finds immense joy in watching her clients move through distress and into the enriching lives they have been seeking.

Andrea founded Peak Couples and Sex Therapy in 2016 as a brick and mortar business in Washington, D.C. Since 2020, she has expanded the business into a virtual group psychotherapy practice serving clients in DC, VA, MD, and WA. Now, years, hundreds of clients, and 8 clinicians later, Peak has become a company and brand with purpose and intention – to bring empowerment and intimacy to every individual and couple through innovative psychotherapy and psychosexual education. Clients are guided through their time with Peak by talented, empathetic, and specialized clinicians who provide space for each individual to write their own stories. We endeavor to create a wide range of healing and empowering offerings that meet each and every person where they are on their sexual and relational journeys.

Jennifer Kielholtz, MS, LPC, LCPC, Clinical Associate

I was drawn to the helping field after a deep exploration of human sexuality and its impact on how we connect with one another and what we seek from others. We each have had experiences influenced by our culture, education, gender, religion, and countless other factors that have shaped our understanding of our own sexuality. It was the lack of social conversations and acceptance of varying ideas of what sexuality is and can be that led me to what has become my passion — helping others find acceptance, tolerance, and beauty in themselves and the lucky individuals they choose to have in their lives.

After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, I attended and obtained a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Hood College. I have since become an adjunct professor in the same program from which I graduated, where I teach a master’s level course, “Intro to Sexual Wellness in Counseling.” I am currently a licensed clinician in both Washington, DC (PRC200001615) and Maryland (LC12629).

Frederick, D. A., Lever, J., Gillespie, B. J., & Garcia, J. R. (2016). What keeps passion alive? Sexual satisfaction is associated with sexual communication, mood setting, sexual variety, oral sex, orgasm, and sex frequency in a national U.S. study. Journal of Sex Research, 54(2), 186-201. doi: 10.1080/ 00224499.2015.1137854

​​Laan, E., Klein, V., Werner, M.A., van Lunsen, R.H.W., Janssen, E. (2021). In pursuit of pleasure: A biopsychosocial perspective on sexual pleasure and gender. International Journal of Sexual Health. 33(4), 516-536.

Mallory, A. B. (2022). Dimensions of couples’ sexual communication, relationship satisfaction, and sexual satisfaction: A meta-analysis. Journal of Family Psychology, 36(3), 358–371. https://doi.org/10.1037/fam0000946

Schubert, A.M., Pope, M. (2023). Handbook for human sexuality counseling: A sex positive approach. NY: American Counseling Association.

Target Audience: Mental health providers. Sex therapy training is not required to participate in this program.

Psychologists. This program, when attended in its entirety, is available for 2.0 continuing education credits. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology maintains responsibility for this program and its content. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is committed to accessibility and non-discrimination in its continuing education activities. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is also committed to conducting all activities in conformity with the American Psychological Association’s Ethical Principles for Psychologists. Participants are asked to be aware of the need for privacy and confidentiality throughout the program. If program content becomes stressful, participants are encouraged to process these feelings during discussion periods. 

Counselors/Clinical Counselors. This program, when attended in its entirety, is available for 2.0 hours of continuing education. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is licensed by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) to provide continuing education programming for counselors and clinical counselors. License Number: 197.000159

Social Workers. This program, when attended in its entirety, is available for 2.0 hours of continuing education. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is licensed by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) to provide continuing education programming for social workers. License Number: 159.001036

MFTs, LPCCs, and LCSWs. Course meets the qualifications for 2.0 hours of continuing education credit for MFTs, LPCCs, and/or LCSWs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. If you are licensed outside of California please check with your local licensing agency to to determine if they will accept these CEUs. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is approved by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) to offer continuing education programming for MFTs, LPCCs, LEPs, and/or LCSWs. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is an accredited or approved postsecondary institution that meets the requirements set forth in Sections 4980.54(f)(1), 4989.34, 4996.22(d)(1), or 4999.76(d) of the Code.

Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists. This program meets the requirements of the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT) and is approved for 2.0 CE credits. The Office of Continuing Education at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology has been approved as an AASECT Provider of continuing education credits. Provider number 23-519-CW. These CE credits may be applied toward AASECT certification and renewal of certification. Completion of this program does not ensure or guarantee AASECT certification. For further information please contact [email protected].  

National Board. This program, when attended in its entirety, offers 2.0 NBCC Clock Hours. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 3036. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

Non-Psychologists. Most licensing boards accept Continuing Education Credits sponsored by the American Psychological Association but non-psychologists are recommended to consult with their specific state-licensing board to ensure that APA-sponsored CE is acceptable.

*Participants must attend 100% of the program in order to obtain a Certificate of Attendance.

If participants have special needs, we will attempt to accommodate them. Please address questions, concerns and any complaints to [email protected]. There is no commercial support for this program nor are there any relationships between the CE Sponsor, presenting organization, presenter, program content, research, grants, or other funding that could reasonably be construed as conflicts of interest.