Revisiting Episode 11: Sex Therapy and Education
An interview with Tim Courtois, where Sasha and Stella discuss the impact of ideology on a graduate program
Gender: A Wider Lens Podcast
Therapist Timothy Courtois entered graduate studies hoping to deepen his understanding of sexuality and intimacy, but soon felt the program mirrored the same moralising and ideological pressures he had experienced in a controlling religious environment. In this episode, we examine how the program’s treatment of sexuality, consent, and relational power dynamics falls short—and begin to lay the groundwork for future conversations centred on a more nuanced, embodied psychological approach to sex and intimacy.
This candid conversation explores some deep and controversial territory in the intersection of therapy, sexuality, and gender identity. During the episode we discuss:
Training vs. Beliefs: Courtois shares how his graduate training emphasized traditional views on sexuality and gender, pushing back against what he sees as a “breezy” medical-affirmative approach to trans-identification.
Therapeutic Ethics: He raises provocative questions—is it right to affirm harmful sex practices?
Clinical Concerns: Courtois recounts being taught worrying concepts that could misunderstand relationship dynamics and the impact of BDSM and porn addiction.
Faith & Practice: We discuss how therapists can balance professional ethics with their personal, moral, or religious beliefs, especially in contexts where trans ideology and sexuality intertwine.
This conversation explores the complex ethical dilemmas that arise at the intersection of informed consent, identity, and medical intervention. It highlights the importance of rigorous, nuanced training in sex and gender—training that fosters critical thinking rather than ideological conformity. We also examine the growing tension between institutional norms and therapists' personal convictions, particularly when professional expectations conflict with clinical judgment or ethical concerns.
Listen here:
Let us know your thoughts! Have your views on sex and gender evolved in recent years? Have you seen shifts in your perspective?
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