About
Sexual concerns are among the most common and enduring impacts of trauma, yet they are often overlooked or treated separately from broader therapeutic work. Many clinicians feel uncertain about how to raise conversations about sex, respond to disclosures, or integrate sexual wellbeing into trauma-informed care.
Drawing on current research, clinical experience, and the themes explored in her newly published book When Trauma Affects Sex, Dr Sarah Ashton will introduce the SHIFT Model—an integrative framework for understanding how trauma can shape sexual wellbeing across the lifespan. Participants will explore how sexual concerns can be understood within their broader developmental, relational, and biopsychosocial context, rather than as isolated symptoms. Using a clinical case study, Sarah will demonstrate how a trauma-informed formulation can guide assessment, therapeutic conversations, and intervention, helping clinicians
feel more confident incorporating sexual wellbeing into their existing practice. The session will also explore practical strategies for initiating conversations about sex, reducing shame, recognising when interdisciplinary collaboration may be beneficial, and supporting clients experiencing trauma-related sexual concerns.
Key Learning Outcomes
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
- Recognise the common ways trauma can affect sexual wellbeing and understand why sexual concerns are often overlooked in trauma-informed practice.
- Apply the SHIFT Model to conceptualise sexual concerns within their broader developmental, relational, and biopsychosocial context.
- Develop a trauma-informed formulation that integrates sexual wellbeing into assessment and intervention.
- Increase confidence initiating conversations about sexual wellbeing, responding to disclosures, and reducing shame in clinical practice.
- Identify practical therapeutic strategies and recognise when interdisciplinary collaboration or referral may enhance client care.
Presenter
Dr Sarah Ashton is a sexual health psychologist, board-approved supervisor, educator, and founder of Sexual Health and Intimacy Psychological Services (SHIPS) and the Institute of Sexual Health Psychology Australia (ISHPA).
With over 17 years of clinical experience, Sarah is passionate about providing compassionate, evidence-informed care and advancing the integration of sexual wellbeing into mainstream psychological practice. Through her clinical work, education, supervision, and advocacy, she has dedicated her career to increasing confidence and capability among health professionals to address sexual wellbeing as an essential component of holistic healthcare.
Sarah has lectured at universities across Australia, delivered professional development workshops nationally, advised organisations including the Australian Psychological Society (APS), the Society of Australian Sexologists (SAS), and Labia Library, and developed more than 28 online professional training programs in sexual health psychology.
She is the author of the newly published book When Trauma Affects Sex, which introduces the SHIFT Model - an integrative framework for understanding and treating the impact of trauma on sexual wellbeing.
