This video resource pack contains two complete workshops (CPD hours / CE credits: 6) that cover:

Part 1:

Using the latest research and clinical case studies we specifically consider the following:

Masculine Gender Norms

• We situate our discussion in the context of masculine gender norms with a brief exploration of what it means to be masculine in today’s Western culture
• We unpack those norms to understand how they might affect the way in which men connect and form relationships

Masculine Embodiment

• Understanding how men come to engage with their bodies in the context of ‘physical toughness’ as a normative gender role performance
• Exploring the contemporary challenges for men about the kinds of bodies they should have with resultant challenges in eating disorders, steroid abuse, body dysmorphia and shame

Men, Intimacy and Friendships

• Looking at the culturally permitted ways in which men can express desire and love and deepening our understanding of the ways men are being encouraged to re-evaluate the manner in which they build relationships
• Evaluating the role of attachment in understanding masculinity in intimate relationships
• The importance of friendship and understanding male bonding, loneliness, friendlessness and the fear of other men

Men and Sexualities

• The role of sexuality in relationship – understanding how to balance intimacy and vulnerability with traditionally masculine ‘playboy’ roles
• Considering how pornography is changing how men and boys see themselves sexually and how to help men break away from an obsession with performance in sex
• The role of sexual dysfunction and self-identity for men

Working with themes of love, sex and the body with men

• We unpack the core process issues presenting in love, sex and relationships for men
• Sexual and relational dysfunction and the importance of working affirmatively with masculine vulnerability and shame
• Sex & Love Addiction – exploring ways of helping men stuck in unhelpful ways of building intimate relationships

Part 2:

At this contemporary and therapeutically oriented seminar, Silva Neves draws on a psychosexual model and his recent book on the topic to present evidence that we should be looking at compulsive sexual behaviours less as addictions and more as a manifestation of underlying behavioural disturbances. The seminar will focus on understanding compulsive sexual behaviours from a sex-positive and evidence-based approach, away from the sex addiction mindset.

Using case studies and examples Silva explains the link between sexual compulsivity and trauma, relational trauma, attachment styles, self-esteem, the loop of shame and narcissistic traits.

Specifically, he explains, the three phases of therapy:

• Emotional regulation:
  • The steps we can take to address poor impulse control and the resources we can help clients with, to manage their compulsive urges
  • We discuss how the client can be involved in this process and the initial assessment the client needs to make for this phase to work
• Reprocessing:
  • This phase involves considering the clients entire life story so they can fully understand how they got to where they are, without judgments or blaming; with a view to identifying predisposing and precipitating factors for sexual compulsivity
  • We discuss how we can guide clients into creating connections with self, meaningful others, nonmeaningful others and with the wider world and how this phase requires relationally driven therapeutic steps
• Reconstruction:
  • This phase is an existential process for clients which allows them to create a plan for the future while maintaining a thriving sex life free of shame
  • We discuss how we can help clients create the psychological and emotional flexibility required to revaluate their commitments on a regular basis so that their future plan is dynamic and sustainable