ONLINE WORKSHOP OVER 2 DAYS
DATES: Thursday 18th & Friday 19th September 2025
TIMES: 1.45pm(BST) for 2.00pm(BST) start until 7.00pm(BST) each day. Please allow an extra 30 minutes at the end of each day.
LOCATION: Online
TRAINER: Bernd Leygraf scroll down to see more about the trainer
COST: £160 if booked by 18th July 2025
£180 if booked by 18th August 2025
£200 Full Price
We now offer insurance against cancellation. This must be purchased within 48 hours of booking the workshop. Click here for more info
If your booking is accepted that means there was space for you. If it is full, email sambaker.pa@gmail.com to join the ‘reserve list’. Then, if anyone drops out we will notify you, if there is a ‘last minute’ place for you. We will also let you know when we plan a new date.
CONTENT OF THE COURSE:
Contrary to the myth that both clients and therapist cease to be sexual beings once they start working together, we know that sexual attraction, desire and erotic transference phenomena take place in the consulting room. This ranges from simply liking each other and enjoying each other’s company, to flirtations, infatuations, and in some cases, erotic transference phenomena – both positive and negative. This can continue all the way through to stalking and various forms of exaggerated control.
It is no wonder that, when these processes occur, inexperienced therapists run for the hills and clients might never make it to the next session.
This seminar takes the position that these phenomena are an integral part of the therapeutic process rather than an interruption to it (as Freud thought for a while). They are not only indicative of the deep bond that accompanies effective therapy, but the therapist needs to be able to utilise these for their work.
Questions to ponder:
Are sexual attraction and erotic transference the same?
What do they mean when they occur?
How do we work with these?
What insight and resources are necessary to work with sexual processes in the consulting room?
Do these occur with clients who come as a couple? Or just those who come for one-to-one therapy?
Does erotic transference only occur between heterosexual female clients and male analysts?
We shall work with both theoretical presentations as well as skills training in pairs, triads or small group work. These seminars work at some depth (level 7) and are a times emotionally demanding. Participants might find it useful to arrive rested and or take a day off afterwards, for self care and further reflection
ABOUT THE TRAINER: Bernd Leygraf
Consultant Psychotherapist co-founded a number of organisations (London Men’s Forum, UK Standing Conference on Sexual Abuse of Men, the Centre for Personal and Professional Development, the Whittington Hospital Psychotherapy Clinic, the Hungarian Gestalt Association, NAOS Institute). He co-authored with Judi Keshet-Orr the first MSc in Humanistic Psychotherapy and the first Masters programme in Psychosexual & Relationship Therapy in the UK. He also authored or co-authored, as well as led, several masters programmes in the UK, primarily at South Bank University, Middlesex University, Westminster and the University of Surrey. He was external examiner to various universities in the UK.
A former Chair of the Professional Standards and Accreditation Board at the European Association for Counselling, and Ethics Committee of COSRT, Bernd works currently with trainees, from over 40 countries. He is familiar with and interested in working with issues of cultural difference. His principal influences in sexological and couples work are David Schnarch, Joseph Zinker, Ellen Bader, Judith Hemming, Joan Lachkar, Judi Keshet-Orr and, as ever, his clients.
In 2023 Bernd was given the Liz McElligot Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Profession of Psychosexual and Relationship Therapy and for the support and guidance he has provided to the field.
Bernd is proud to have supported – alongside Judi – a significant number of sex and couples therapists in shaping their own professional identities and careers – both in the UK and further afield; some even have moved into offering specialist sex addiction clinics; others are now trainers in this field in their own right.
Bernd is delighted to be (founder and) Honorary Member of the Hungarian Gestalt Association. Clinically speaking Bernd focuses on working with celebrity clients, and on men in leadership, both nationally and globally.
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MAXIMUM NUMBERS : 30
OUR EXPECTATION : Is that you will attend this workshop for the full length of the course, have your video on, your mobile off, and fully participate.
There are some online talks on zoom that allow you to come and go, or to choose not to participate in the exercise and breakout rooms. This culture has started to creep into our workshops. We have even had people say they want to leave to go and pick up children from school or walk their dog! People dropping in and out is very disruptive – especially when there may be group exercises that are planned for the same group to participate in a number of times.
Because of this, we want to be clear about our expectations. This workshop has been planned with the assumption that you, and everyone else, will attend for the full time.
So please be clear, that if you book on this workshop, we expect you to attend for the whole time, to participate in the breakout rooms and exercises and have your video switched on.
Please also put your mobile to one side and on silent – checking your phone or texting will mean that you miss material. So we request that you only check your phone during breaks.
EQUIPMENT YOU WILL NEED : We will use Zoom, so you would need a computer that has good enough internet access to be able to be online, and in a quiet spot where you won’t be disturbed. It would be preferable if there are no people walking around in the background. An iPhone can be used in an emergency, but we recommend planning on using a laptop or computer. Tablets also work, though please be aware that they have less functionality in Zoom. You will need access to a printer to print the handouts (Please see Slides and Exercises above).
CANCELLATIONS : Any request to change (eg defer to alternative dates) or cancel your place at a workshop, that is made at less than 21 days before the course start date will be charged in full. Any cancellation / amendments / requests to defer before 21 days, will be subject to a 12.5% handling charge.
CPD FORM : A Certificate of Attendance form for Continuous Professional Development will be sent by email once you have filled in the feedback form.
Organised by Sleeping Mountain Limited