In Person - "Supporting LGBTQ+ Couples in Couples/Sex Therapy"

In Person - Membership Meeting - In Person

"Supporting LGBTQ+ Couples in Couples/Sex Therapy" with Ilana Gines, MA, LMFT, CST

Supporting LGBTQ+ Couples in Couples/Sex Therapy is an all-levels continuing education workshop designed to deepen clinician's competency in working with queer and gender-diverse couples across the spectrum of relational and sexual wellness concerns. Drawing on the minority stress model, affirmative cognitive-behavioral frameworks, and contemporary sex therapy principles, this course equips participants with both theoretical grounding and practical clinical tools.

Participants will explore how heteronormative and cisnormative assumptions can inadvertently shape sex therapy, and will learn affirming alternatives across key clinical domains: sexual wellness and desire dynamics, gender-affirming sex therapy with trans and nonbinary clients, the impact of minority stress on sexual presence, and practical interventions ready for use in next session. Three case vignettes anchor the clinical material throughout.

Research consistently demonstrates that LGBTQ+ individuals face elevated rates of anxiety, depression, and relational distress tied to systemic minority stress — and that affirmative therapeutic approaches meaningfully reduce these disparities (Meyer, 2003; Pachankis et al., 2015). This course applies that evidence base directly to the couples therapy context, with particular attention to intersectional identities and clinician self-awareness.

Learning Objectives By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to: 1. Identify at least three common heteronormative or cisnormative assumptions that can undermine affirmative couples therapy. 2. Describe the minority stress model and name two specific ways minority stressors manifest in LGBTQ+ couples; relational dynamics. 3. Apply at least two clinical strategies for addressing common sexual concerns in queer couples (e.g., desire discrepancy reframed for same-gender dynamics, the "lesbian bed death"; narrative, dysphoria's effect on sexual presence). 4. Identify at least three sex-therapy interventions adapted for LGBTQ+ couples (e.g., sensate focus reimagined, script rewrite, pleasure mapping). 5. Name at least two signs that may indicate internalized stigma (homophobia, biphobia, or transphobia) is present in a couple's relational system.

Ilana Grines, M.A., is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT #116296) and Certified Sex Therapist based in Los Angeles, California, where she operates a private practice — Ilana Grines Therapy — with virtual availability throughout California. She specializes in couples therapy, sex therapy, intimacy, and LGBTQ+ affirming care, with a particular focus on supporting queer and gender-diverse couples navigating identity, relational dynamics, and sexual wellness. Ilana has received advanced training in sex therapy through the Modern Sex Therapy Institutes and brings a trauma-informed, culturally competent lens to her clinical work. She is a recognized expert source in national media on topics of relationships, sexual health, and LGBTQ+ mental health, and is a sought-after speaker and educator in the field of sex-positive, affirmative psychotherapy.

Sponsored by

Newport Academy is the nation’s leading mental health treatment program for adolescents ages 12–18 and their families. With residential and outpatient locations across the United States, we provide individualized treatment that includes clinical therapy, experiential modalities, and academic support. Our integrated approach is proven to enhance teen well-being, strengthen family relationships, and give young people the skills they need to thrive. Newport Healthcare has expanded our services to provide residential treatment for ages 7–11, in addition to our existing programs serving ages 12–18 and 18–35.

EVENT DETAILS

When: Sunday, June 12, 2026

Time:

  8:30am-9am Check-In/Light Breakfast*

  9am-9:30am Membership Meeting/

      Chapter Announcements*

  9:30-11am CE/Speaker Presentation

  11am-11:15am Opportunity Drawing/

      Private Practice Announcements*

  11:15am-11:45am Break*

  11:45am-1:45pm Board Meeting (in-person)*

*=portion of course not eligible for CE's

This course is intended for beginning to advanced mental health professionals.

Course meets the qualifications for 1.5 hours of continuing education credit for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and/or LEPs required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. Course evaluations will be sent and CE completion certificates will be awarded to participants that attend the entire presentation and complete the course evaluation within 48 hours of the speaker presentation.

Place:

In-Person at Encino Golf Course Banquet Room

                              16821 Burbank Blvd

                              Encino, CA 91436

This location is ADA compliant.

Professional or business casual attire suggested. It is recommended to dress in layers due to the weather and AC conditions.

                 

Please note the following:

Confirm your meeting selection is accurate for in person or webinar and member or non-member. No walk-ins or registration changes will be allowed less than 24 hours before the meeting.

Price/Registration:

SFV-CAMFT chapter members

In Person

     $25 (online until Friday, June 3rd at 11:59pm)

     $35 (online week of event, June 4th to June 10th)

Non chapter members

In Person

     $35 (online until Friday, June 3rd at 11:59pm)

     $45 (online week of event, June 4th to June 10th)

No phone or email RSVP.

No cash or check, credit card only (we accept Visa, Mastercard, Discover).

Email us for Los Angeles and San Gabriel Valley chapter reciprocity.

Please click on the register button. If you are not logged in yet and are a member of our chapter, please be sure to log in here first. A confirmation email will be sent once payment is received.   

Questions? Contact our VP of Membership sfvcamftmember@gmail.com

Grievances? Contact our President sfvcamftpre@gmail.com

Accommodations? Contact our Hospitality Chair sfvcamftmember@gmail.com

Policies: View a list of our policies here

Refund Policy 

Requests for refunds must be in writing and received by SFV-CAMFT before one week prior to the event. A $2 administrative fee will be deducted for cancellation of a paid event, through the cancellation deadline. There will be no changes or cancellations received after one week prior to the event (this includes no shows and arriving late to the presentation on the day of the event). The President has discretion to issue refunds that do not comply with the policy. To request a refund, email sfv.camft@gmail.com.

The personal values and beliefs expressed by presenter(s) are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the San Fernando Valley Chapter of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (SFV-CAMFT). SFV-CAMFT is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive professional community and does not endorse any specific personal viewpoints shared by presenters.

CAMFT- approved Continuing Education Provider #62281

SFV-CAMFT is approved by the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists to sponsor continuing education for Marriage & Family Therapists. SFV-CAMFT maintains responsibility for this program/course and its content.