The Edge of Desire: Supervising the Erotic in Clinical Practice

This workshop is designed for supervisors who mentor and train new therapists, offering tools for creating safer spaces for therapists to explore erotic and sexual content that shows up in their work. Too often, these important conversations are avoided out of fear, discomfort, or concern about crossing ethical lines—yet silence leaves new therapists more vulnerable, not less. Without invitations, inquiries, and engagement from supervisors, therapists-in-training may feel ashamed, confused, or unprepared when erotic content inevitably arises in their work, increasing the risk of boundary violations or therapeutic ruptures. Together, we’ll explore how open, thoughtful supervision can serve as a protective and empowering space—one where new clinicians can begin to recognize, reflect on, and respond to erotic dynamics with more openness, skill and confidence.