Sexual behaviours and interests vary widely across individuals and cultures. Clinicians are often faced with complex questions about when sexual behaviour sits along the spectrum of human diversity and when it may signal psychological distress, functional impairment, or risk. Without a clear framework, practitioners may either pathologise behaviours that are less socially normative or overlook behaviours that reinforce underlying psychological difficulties.
This 90-minute webinar provides a practical clinical framework to help practitioners assess when sexual behaviour or sexual interests require supportive therapeutic processing, such as addressing shame, stigma, or discrimination - or when intervention may be needed to reduce harm. Drawing on developmental, biopsychosocial, and trauma-informed perspectives, the session will explore how sexual behaviours emerge, how they interact with psychological and relational functioning, and how clinicians can respond in a thoughtful and ethical manner.
Participants will learn how to:
- Understand key concepts in sexual development and sexual functioning theory
- Distinguish between sexual behaviours that fall within the spectrum of human diversity and those associated with clinically significant distress or impairment
- Identify when sexual behaviours may be maintaining or reinforcing comorbid psychological difficulties
- Differentiate paraphilias from paraphilic disorders using current diagnostic frameworks
- Apply an affirming and inclusive approach to working with kinks and fetishes, recognising when distress arises from cultural shame, stigma, or deprivation rather than individual pathology
- Use a structured clinical decision-making framework when assessing sexual behaviour concerns.
The session will conclude with a clinical case example, illustrating how this framework can be applied in practice to support formulation, assessment, and therapeutic intervention.
About our presenter: Dr Sarah Ashton (she/her)
Dr Sarah Ashton is a sexual health psychologist and the founder and director of Sexual Health & Intimacy Psychological Services (SHIPS), a Melbourne-based psychology practice supporting adults experiencing sexual difficulties, trauma, relational challenges, and identity-related concerns. She is also the founder of the Institute of Sexual Health Psychology Australia (ISHPA), an organisation dedicated to advancing clinical training, research, and professional standards in sexual health psychology.
With over 18 years of clinical experience, Sarah has developed more than 20 professional training programs and has provided guest lectures at over 15 universities across Australia. She has published academic research and public-facing resources aimed at increasing awareness and reducing shame around the complexity of sexual experiences.
Her forthcoming book, When Trauma Affects Sex, explores how trauma shapes sexual functioning and pathways to healing.
Webinar timing: 7:00 – 8:30 pm AEST
Access to the recording of this webinar: A recording of this webinar will be available through the CPD Webinar Library, but for the best experience and the opportunity to ask your questions, join us live. Everyone who registers will be advised via email as soon as the recording is available.