Course Description

This workshop is designed to support mental health professionals with the knowledge and clinical skills needed to effectively assess and address intimacy-related concerns in individual and couples therapy. Participants will explore the multilayered nature of intimacy, including emotional, physical, sexual, relational, and attachment-based components, and examine how developmental experiences, trauma, cultural influences, and relationship dynamics impact clients' capacity for connection. 


This course provides evidence-based practical strategies for helping clients navigate common intimacy challenges such as emotional disconnection, communication difficulties, fear of vulnerability, desire discrepancies, trust issues, attachment injuries, and the impact of trauma on intimate relationships. 


This training will focus on creating a safe, inclusive, and culturally responsive therapeutic environment when discussing sensitive topics related to sexuality and relationships. 


Registration Deadline: September 9, 2026


This course takes place live on Zoom. Check out this link for Zoom requirements.


For more information on our work at The Touchstone Institute, visit our website.

Course Overview

  • Live Interactive Webinar on Zoom

    September 10, 2026, 12:00pm - 2:00pm EST

  • Prerequisites

    This training is open to all mental health professionals.

  • CE Credits

    Participants are eligible to receive 2 CE credits for this training. (see more details below)

Note on Accessibility:

We include captions in all of our live and self-paced trainings. If there is anything else you need to make our trainings accessible to you, please reach out to us at [email protected]. We recognize that every person has access needs and we are happy to do everything we can to meet yours.
Get in Touch

Instructor

Patrick Monette, LMHC, CASAC

Instructor

Patrick Monette is a licensed mental health/addiction and certified trauma counselor and certified life coach located in Northern New York. He is a Certified EMDR therapist and EMDRIA Approved Consultant and certified EFT couples counselor. He has taught at local universities and maintains a private practice focusing on couples work and trauma-informed treatment as well as gender issues, anger management, perinatal traumas and co-occurring disorders. He is actively engaged in the local community drug court systems as a mental health consultant and educator. Patrick is fluent in English and Spanish and offers treatment in both languages. He also stated his bi-weekly video show/podcast Friday Night Feels that focuses on various aspects of wellness and incorporates guests to come and share their experiences and areas of specialty. During the pandemic, Patrick has begun to hold online couples courses/retreats called Hold Me Tight® to assist couples focus and improve their relationships. In March 2020 he also created his bi-weekly video show/podcast Friday Night Feels which focuses on mental health, wellness and overall well-being. Please visit his website for more information www.patrickmonette.com

Course Curriculum

    1. Get to know Patrick Monette!

    2. Course Description

      FREE PREVIEW

    3. Course Date(s) & Time

      FREE PREVIEW

    4. Course Agenda

      FREE PREVIEW

    5. Zoom Information

    6. Learning Objectives

      FREE PREVIEW

    7. Values Statement from The Touchstone Institute

    1. About Course Recordings

    1. Receiving your CE Certificate

About this course:

  • $100 - $200
  • September 10, 2026, 12:00pm - 2:00pm EST
  • 2 CEs (see below for specific approvals)

Tiered pricing options:

Questions? See our FAQ below.

More about our pricing:

We offer tiered pricing for all of our trainings in order to make our courses accessible to as many practitioners as possible. If you are unsure which tier of payment is right for your financial situation, please read through our FAQ section below or visit our website.


Please reach out to us at [email protected] if you are interested in a multi-month payment plan. We are always happy to create a custom payment plan to make it more feasible for everyone to participate in our courses.

Timed Course Agenda

(All times are listed in Eastern Time)

12:00pm - 12:10pm: Welcome, intro, and housekeeping

12:10pm - 12:20pm: Role of being trauma-informed with couples

12:20pm - 12:30pm: Exploring issues commonly addressed in couples therapy

12:30pm - 1:30pm: Defining intimacy and the layers that couples are impacted by intimacy issues/struggles

1:30pm - 1:50pm: Coping skills, tools, and interventions

1:50pm - 2:00pm: Wrap up, closure, and Q&A

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this workshop, participants will be able to:

  • Describe the impact of relational, developmental, and attachment trauma on emotional, physical, and sexual intimacy within couple relationships. 
  • Explain the core principles of trauma-informed care and their application when treating couples experiencing intimacy difficulties. 
  • Describe how trauma responses (e.g., hyperarousal, dissociation, avoidance, shame, and attachment injuries) contribute to intimacy disruptions. 
  • Explain the differences between individual trauma symptoms and couple dynamics that maintain intimacy challenges. 
  • Assess couples for trauma histories, attachment patterns, emotional safety, and readiness for EMDR-informed interventions (if applicable). 
  • Apply EMDR-informed and other trauma-informed evidence-based stabilization and resource development strategies to enhance emotional regulation and relational safety.

Continuing Education Credits

Participation in all training sessions and submission of a course evaluation is required to receive a CE certificate for this course. Course evaluations are made available after all live sessions have been completed within the course portal. After completing the evaluation, participants will be able to submit a request for their CE certificate. This training offers 2 CE credits.

  • It is your responsibility to verify CE coverage in your State or Province.

  • The Touchstone Institute for Perinatal Training is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The Touchstone Institute for Perinatal Training maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

  • The Touchstone Institute for Perinatal Training, Inc. has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7346. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Touchstone Institute for Perinatal Training, Inc. is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

  • The Touchstone Institute for Perinatal Training, [provider number:1876], is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: [1/19/2025-1/19/2028]. Social workers completing this course receive 2 continuing education credits.

  • This course is approved by Postpartum Support International (PSI) for continuing education towards obtaining and maintaining the PMH-C.

  • This course is approved by the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA). The Touchstone Institute is an approved training provider with EMDRIA: approval #22021.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Is the Generative Access tier right for me?

    Select this tier if you: Own the home you live in (even with a mortgage); live in a two-income household; have investments, retirement accounts, or inherited money; travel recreationally; have access to family money and resources in times of need; work part-time by choice, etc.

  • Is the Sustaining Access tier right for me?

    Select this tier if you: Have income available for recreational activities (going out to dinner, movies, concerts etc.); have consistent work compensated at a median income rate based on your region; pay rent that is not more than 25% of your monthly household income; do not own your own home, etc.

  • Is the Supported Access tier right for me?

    Select this tier if you: Are a graduate student paying tuition; have major medical expenses not covered by insurance; have been denied work, or experience discrimination related to ableism, racism, sexism, gender discrimination or other forms of oppression; are eligible for public assistance; have immigration-related expenses; have ever been denied work due to incarceration history; are supporting adult children, extended family members in need or have other adult dependents; are an elder with limited financial support; are primarily working in a setting with under-resourced populations and your income reflects this work, etc.

  • Are there payment plan options available?

    Yes! We are happy to work with you to create a payment plan that fits your needs. Please reach out to us over email with a brief description of the length of the plan that you are interested in using to pay for this course: [email protected].

  • How can I learn more about your pricing?

    Please visit our website for more information on our approach to pricing our trainings: www.touchstoneinstitute.org/pricing.

  • What is your refund policy?

    More than 14 days notice is required for a full refund minus 7% administrative fee. Cancellations made within 14 days of training are eligible for a 50% refund or full transfer to another training within The Touchstone Institute. Only 1 transfer to another training is allowed. If you can not attend the transferred training your fee will be forfeited. No-shows are not eligible for a refund or transfer. Exceptions to this policy are limited to medically documented circumstances or family bereavements. Failure to attend without prior notification (no-shows) will not qualify for a refund.

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