Exploring Intimacy and Sexuality in Therapeutic Practice
2026-09-02 09:00 - 13:00 (Australia/Brisbane)
Conversations about intimacy, sexuality, desire and erotic connection are often central to our clients’ lives, yet many therapists find themselves hesitating to explore these areas in depth. It is actually one of the least addressed topics in couples therapy. Whether the barrier is uncertainty, shame, fear of getting it wrong, concerns about competence, or simply not knowing where to begin, these themes can remain at the edges of therapeutic inquiry.

Date: Wednesday 2nd September

Time: 9:00am-1:00pm

Location: Balam Balam Place: 15 Phoenix Street, Brunswick VIC 3056

Cost: GANZ Members: $155, Non-Members: $185

Purchase your ticket here.

This experiential half-day workshop invites therapists to explore their own relationship with conversations about intimacy and sexuality in clinical practice. Through a Gestalt and relational lens, participants will examine what happens within them when these themes emerge in the therapeutic field, and how personal beliefs, assumptions, discomforts or reactions may shape what is explored or avoided with clients.

The workshop will also explore the clinical rationale for discussing intimacy and sexuality in therapy, particularly within relationship work. Participants will consider how these dimensions can provide valuable insight into connection, vulnerability, desire, play, attachment, vitality, and relational patterns, while developing greater confidence in engaging these conversations with curiosity, sensitivity and presence.

The workshop will include reflective exercises, experiential exploration, group discussion and practical takeaways to support therapists working with individuals and couples.

Participants will leave with:

– Greater awareness of their own responses to discussions of intimacy and sexuality.

– Increased confidence in initiating and navigating conversations about intimacy and sexuality.

– Practical questions and frameworks to support clinically relevant inquiry.

About your Presenter:

Lee Beaton is an accredited Gestalt Psychotherapist and Emotion Focused Couples Therapist with over 30 years’ experience. She specialises in supporting Individuals and couples to deepen connection, heal attachment wounds, navigate relationship challenges, and foster greater intimacy and vitality in their lives. She has a particular interest in helping therapists and clients explore the often-overlooked territory of intimacy, sexuality and embodied connection, and is known for bringing warmth and a light sense of humour into her clinical practice.
