ACSSW Exemplary Practices Counseling Sexology and Sexual Wellness: Section 9 - Pleasure and Sexual Subcultures Online
Pleasure is an essential component of holistic sexual wellness and an important aspect of counseling practice. Contemporary models of sexual health identify pleasure as integral to wellbeing, sexual functioning, and sexual rights (Coleman et al., 2021; Ford et al., 2019); however, dominant Western and medicalized frameworks have historically limited counselors’ training in addressing pleasure-related concerns (Gunning, 2020). This gap may hinder counselors’ ability to effectively assess, explore, and affirm clients’ sexual experiences and identities.
This continuing education program will examine the role of pleasure in holistic sexual wellness and its relevance to ethical counseling practice. Attention will be given to sexual subcultures as meaningful sources of identity, community, safety, and pleasure for many clients. Counselors may encounter clients involved in sexual subcultures across clinical settings, making foundational knowledge and affirming skills essential to affirming and liberating practice.
This program will identify key knowledge areas, counseling skills, and professional values necessary for working effectively with clients’ pursuits of sexual pleasure and/or involvement in sexual subcultures. Attendees will learn strategies for exploring sexual pleasure in a clinically appropriate manner, affirming diverse sexual expressions, and engaging in reflective practice to enhance ethical decision-making and client outcomes.
Presented by Bianca R. Augustine-Akogu, PhD
---------------------------
This program, when attended in its entirety, offers 2.0 CEs for Psychologists, 2.0 IL CEUs for Counselors and Social Workers, 2.0 BBS California CEUs for LPCCs, LPSWs, and LMFTs, 2.0 AASECT CEUs for Sex Educators, Counselors, and Therapists, or 2.0 NBCC Clock Hours.
---------------------------
---------------------------
PROGRAM PRICING:
- ACSSW Members: $10.00
- General Admission: $50.00
- The Chicago School Staff/Faculty/Alumni: $25.00*
- Community Partners/Site Supervisors: $25.00*
- Students: $25.00*
(*Please email officeofce@thechicagoschool.edu for coupon code. Code must be entered at time of checkout to receive discount.)
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.
- Date:
- Friday, March 20, 2026
- Time:
- 10:00am - 12:00pm
- Time Zone:
- Central Time - US & Canada (change)
- Online:
- This is an online event.
- Event URL:
- https://tcsppofficeofce.com/march_20_2026-3/
- Audience:
- All Graduate Students All Students Alumni Doctoral Students Faculty Masters Students Public The Chicago School Community Undergraduate Students