Gender, Sexual, Erotic and Relational (GSERD) Diversity in Therapy

Catalog description

This course examines human development and the evolving landscape of sexuality, gender, and relational structures, with emphasis on sexual orientation, same‑sex relationships, and the experiences of sexual and gender minorities and their families. Students will analyze how cultural, social, and systemic contexts shape intimacy, family life, and identity formation, while developing a nuanced understanding of gender as a lived reality across the lifespan. The curriculum highlights bio‑psycho‑social‑cognitive influences on body image including arousal, reproductive anatomy, gender identity, ability, and size and considers how these factors inform self‑perception and relational dynamics. Students will engage with theoretical frameworks and embodied practices to explore how identity and relationships are constructed, challenged, and transformed over time. A central focus is the ethical management of erotic transference and countertransference, particularly as shaped by aesthetic values and perceptions of the body. Through lectures, case studies, and experiential learning, participants will learn to integrate theory and practice in ways that foster resilience, inclusivity, and healing. By the end of the course, students will be prepared to work effectively with individuals, couples, and families across diverse sexual and gender identities, cultivating relational awareness and professional responsibility in contexts of intimacy and change.