One great irony of our modern world is while we are surrounded by sexual innuendo and titillation...
we hear a simultaneous, mysterious, resounding silence, a poverty of reliable, let alone evidence-based information about sex. Even the health and mental health professions are surprisingly mum, leaving our clients, the larger population, (even many of us) in the dark about what is “normal” or what constitutes sexual health.
Many may then conclude they are “supposed to” simply know, or for some reason are not supposed to speak or ask. They are then left to continue to flail often in confusion, and/or shame. We are perhaps able to work with sexual trauma, but not pleasure and love.
This is even more true for children of neglect, who had no one to ask, no one to mirror, and no one to teach them.
In this FREE taboo-busting webinar, renowned psychotherapist and educator Ruth Cohn invites you to open the door to these vital conversations with confidence and clarity.
In this webinar, Ruth discusses:
- The core dilemma of neglect trauma, as a lens for what will follow...
- Some of the unique challenges or adaptations around sexuality that may result from early neglect trauma
Let’s Talk! Why it is essential to speak openly, candidly and explicitly about sex—even though it is bound to be unfamiliar and uncomfortable
The therapist taking the initiative to open the conversation, creates permission to for client speak as well, possibly for the first time ever; while enhancing receptivity, inviting questions and concerns, correcting myths and misinformation,diffusing shame, and redefining “normal.”
Ruth’s own Golden Rule for addressing sexuality in therapy
emphasizing presence, empathic co-regulation and relatedness, all challenging to survivors of neglect and many others too…
The SIX Principles of Sexual Health as developed by pioneering sex therapist Doug Braun-Harvey — essential foundations for any therapeutic conversation about sex
so that you can shift from fear and avoidance to grounded, informed dialogue.
A revised, non-pathologizing understanding of sexual desire that goes far beyond outdated models…
getting blame out and supporting clients’ capacity for attunement, empathy, pleasure, intimacy, and healing.
Meet Your Presenter: Ruth Cohn, MFT
Ruth Cohn, MFT, is a psychotherapist living and practicing in the San Francisco Bay Area. She has specialized in working with survivors of trauma and neglect, their intimate partners, and their families since 1988. She is a Certified Sex Therapist, certified in Neurofeedback, EMDR, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, and Imago Relationship Therapy.
Ruth is also the author of numerous articles on sexuality, trauma, and neglect and three books: Working With the Developmental Trauma of Childhood Neglect: Using Psychotherapy and Attachment Theory Techniques in Clinical Practice, Coming Home to Passion: Restoring Loving Sexuality in Couples With Histories of Childhood Trauma and Neglect, and Out of My Mind: Late Night Contemplations About Trauma and Neglect. She is currently working on a workbook for therapists to advance their understanding and skill in Neglect Informed Psychotherapy. Due in 2026.
Can We Talk?
A Neglect Informed Conversation
About Sexual Health, Intimacy and Pleasure
A Free Webinar With Ruth Cohn, MFT
Discover how to candidly and confidently initiate conversation about sex in therapy using a neglect-informed, inclusive,non-shaming approach that helps your clients feel seen, safe, “normal” and whole.
Why Talk About Sex in Therapy—Now More Than Ever
In a world saturated with sexual images and innuendo, there’s a surprising lack of bold, informed dialogue about sexual health—especially in clinical settings. Even among seasoned therapists, many shy away from naming sex explicitly in the therapy room. But here’s the truth: talking about sex in therapy isn’t optional. It’s essential.
Sexuality is part of the human experience. When we avoid it, we risk reinforcing the very shame and confusion that our clients are trying to escape. Whether you’re addressing neglect and sexuality, trauma, identity, pleasure, or dysfunction—your clients are counting on you to hold a space where these topics are not only welcome but valued.
That’s why we’re inviting you to a free, taboo-busting webinar with leading therapist and educator Ruth Cohn, MFT, where you’ll gain clear guidance on how to do just that.
What You’ll Learn in This Free Webinar
This is not just a general lecture on sexuality—it’s a deep dive into what therapists need to know now in order to provide ethical, compassionate, and empowering care. In this free webinar, Ruth Cohn will guide you, doing so through the lens of Neglect Informed Psychotherapy:
The Core of Neglect Trauma and Special Challenges it Brings to Intimacy and Sexuality
The “Dilemma without Solution”, template for relationship and how it shapes the sexual interaction…
The Six Principles of Sexual Health
Originally developed by sex therapy pioneer Doug Braun-Harvey, these six principles provide a framework for understanding sexual health and therapy in a way that is clear, affirming, and deeply humane. You’ll learn how to use them to initiate and hold healing conversations—even in challenging clinical moments.
Ruth’s “Golden Rule”
Ruth will reveal her Golden Rule—a deceptively simple but transformative reminder of the essence of good sex: self awareness, presence and empathy, and practice. Relaxed talk about sex with clients helping you cultivate trust, safety, and permission to explore what’s all too often left unsaid.
“Updating Our Files” About Sexual Desire
Too many clinicians still lean on the standard, and now outdated, sexual arousal curve that leave clients feeling as if they or their partner is pathological, “not normal,” or needs medication of some kind Ruth will offer the depathologizing updated research on sexual desire and arousal—that accounts for diversity, age, general health, and physical and emotional uniqueness.
The Therapist’s Role in De-Shaming Sexuality
Sexual shame thrives in silence. Ruth will share how you can become a sex positive therapist, using relational candid modeling, attunement and clinical insight to dismantle internalized judgments around desire, pleasure, and identity. And a reminder that the therapist too, may have their own shame, or the mistaken belief that we have to have a “perfect” sex life ourselves to do the work with others. Most of us don’t! Which is why as ever, we must do our own work.
Why Most Therapists Were Never Taught This
Let’s face it: even advanced psychotherapy training barely addresses the basics of sexuality or sex therapy, let alone neglect. We focus on supporting clients with depression, trauma, or identity issues—but often without any formal education on how those challenges intersect with sexual health.
The silence is systemic. And clients notice. They feel the discomfort. They mirror our hesitations which compounds their own. The result? They stay silent about their deepest fears—worrying that they’re “not normal,” or that they’ll blamed or beyond repair.
In this training, you’ll gain the language, the grounding, and the tools to make sexuality in psychotherapy a safe and generative, even fun part of your practice.
The Hidden Link Between Neglect and Sexuality
Much of Ruth Cohn’s work explores how childhood neglect creates attachment wounds that deeply influence adult sexuality. Clients who grew up without attuned caregiving may struggle with emotional intimacy, body shame, or dissociation around sex—even if they don’t have a history of overt sexual trauma.
When therapists don’t name these links, clients can’t heal them. Ruth’s trauma-informed approach brings visibility to these invisible wounds—helping clinicians recognize when sexual challenges are rooted in unmet developmental needs, not dysfunction.
If you’ve ever felt stuck when a client brings up intimacy, pleasure, or confusion around sexual identity—this is your moment to get unstuck.
Who This Free Webinar Is For
This free webinar is specifically designed for:
Therapists, counselors, and clinicians, teachers and parents
seeking more comfort and clarity in sexual health conversations
Sexuality-curious professionals
who want to expand their confidence without becoming certified sex therapists
Practitioners working with trauma survivors,
especially those impacted by emotional or developmental neglect
Mental health professionals
who want to move beyond crisis and dysfunction toward healing, growth, and pleasure
Whether you’re in private practice, working in a clinic, or still in training—this free event will elevate your work and empower your clients.
Why This Conversation Is Urgently Needed
In our culture of sexual overexposure, meaningful understanding is scarce. Many clients have been harmed not just by experiences of abuse or confusion—but by the absence of compassionate, informed guidance.
They’ve internalized silence as shame. And that silence is deadly to healing.
This free training is your invitation to step into brave, affirming conversations that normalize pleasure, deepen trust, and move therapy from symptom management to authentic growth.
Plus: Live Q&A With Ruth
Stick around for the end of the call, when Ruth will open the floor for a live Q&A session. This is your chance to ask questions, receive direct insight, and explore clinical challenges in a supportive setting.
Whether you’re navigating a specific case or looking to expand your confidence, this segment is not to be missed.
Don’t Miss This Free Introduction
Whether you’re brand new to the topic or have years of experience, this webinar will give you a powerful new lens for how to talk about sex with clients in a way that is informed, compassionate, and clinically sound.
There’s no cost to attend—but space is limited.
Reserve your spot now and discover how to start talking about sex in therapy with the confidence your clients deserve.
It’s Time to Start Talking About Sex in Therapy
Your clients are waiting. The world is changing. And the silence isn’t serving anyone.
This free webinar with Ruth Cohn will give you the insight, tools, and language to start talking about sex, in therapy and beyond in a way that heals—not harms.
Click below to register now—and be part of the conversation.
