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The Future of Sex Technology and Intimacy

In-Person
1 CE Hour
General

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Dates and Times

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    In-Person

Location

Description

We are part of a massive social experiment. Sex, gender, and relationship dynamics are changing faster than at any point in the history of humanity, and all within the backdrop of exploding sex tech and artificial intelligence. Younger generations are increasingly comfortable with technology interfacing their lives, even in intimate ways. Enter virtual reality porn, sex with avatars, and yes, sex robots. Experts predict that within 20-50 years, robots that move and interact in humanoid ways will be affordable for many. It is conceivable that an infant born today could have their first sexual experience with a robot. While human intimacy remains the gold standard, sex tech will be increasingly compelling to the degree it satisfies unmet needs. Mental health professionals will better serve their clients if they understand these new technologies, as well as the potential positive and negative impact these developments in sex tech and AI can soon have on sex and intimacy. Right now the tech industry is developing a vision of the future of intimacy. The time is now for mental health professionals to join this critical conversation.

Target Audience
  • • Social Worker
  • • Psychologist
  • • Counselor
  • • Substance Use Disorder Professionals
Learning Objectives

At the end of this course, participants will be able to:

  • Identify three socio-sexual trends in privileged cultures that may enable sex tech to increasingly impact human relationships.

  • Describe three recent innovations in sex tech that will likely impact human intimacy in the next decade

  • Identify three potential benefits and three potential risks of advancing sex technologies.

  • Identify the populations most poised to benefit from development in sex tech.

References

  • Amanda N. Gesselman, Ellen M. Kaufman, Alexandra S. Marcotte, Tania A. Reynolds & Justin R. Garcia (2023) Engagement with Emerging Forms of Sextech: Demographic Correlates from a National Sample of Adults in the United States, The Journal of Sex Research, 60:2, 177-189, DOI: 10.1080/00224499.2021.2007521

  • Evans, L. Virtual Reality Pornography: a Review of Health-Related Opportunities and Challenges. Curr Sex Health Rep 15, 26–35 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11930-022-00352-9

  • Rosenkjær, D., Pacey, A., Montgomerie, R. et al. Effects of virtual reality erotica on ejaculate quality of sperm donors: a balanced and randomized controlled cross-over within-subjects trial. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 20, 149 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12958-022-01021-1

  • Erin Leigh Courtice & Krystelle Shaughnessy (2017) Technology-mediated sexual interaction and relationships: a systematic review of the literature, Sexual and Relationship Therapy, 32:3-4, 269-290, DOI: 10.1080/14681994.2017.1397948

  • Brandon, M., Shlykova, N., & Morgentaler, A. (2022). Curiosity and other attitudes towards sex robots: Results of an online survey. Journal of Future Robot Life, 3(1), 3-16.

Introductory
General
Social Worker

Trusted Provider Network, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0654.

TPN.health, #1766, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. TPN.health maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period: 03/31/2022 – 03/31/2025. Social workers completing this course receive 1 General continuing education credits.

TPN.health is approved by the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (Provider #1000101) to sponsor continuing education for LCSWs. TPN.health maintains responsibility for this program/course and its content. Course meets the qualifications for 1 hours of continuing education credit for LCSWs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences.

Psychologist

Trusted Provider Network is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Trusted Provider Network maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

Counselor

TPN.health is approved by the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (Provider #1000101) to sponsor continuing education for LPCCs. TPN.health maintains responsibility for this program/course and its content. Course meets the qualifications for 1 hours of continuing education credit for LPCCs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences.

Trusted Provider Network, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0220.

TPN.health has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7267. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. TPN.health is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

Substance Use Disorder Professionals

This course has been approved by TPN.health, as a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, for educational credits. NAADAC Provider #198061, TPN.health is responsible for all aspects of the programming.This course has been approved by TPN.health, as a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, for educational credits. NAADAC Provider #198061, TPN.health is responsible for all aspects of the programing. Counselor Skill Group: Legal, Ethical and Professional Development

CE Policy
Please note that the references listed for this program include a book authored by Marianne Brandon, the instructor of the program. Participants are not required to purchase books authored by Marianne Brandon. However, if participants do purchase this book, Marianne Brandon will receive financial compensation for such purchases.
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Marianne Brandon, PhD AASECT

Dr. Marianne Brandon is a clinical psychologist and diplomate in sex therapy. She is author of Monogamy: The Untold Story; Unlocking the Sexy in Surrender: Using the Neuroscience of Power to Recharge Your Sex Life; and co-author of Reclaiming Desire: 4 Keys to Finding Your Lost Libido. She co-hosted a talk radio show, is a past book review editor for the American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors, and Therapists, past board member of The International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health, and regularly writes for professional and lay publications. She has served twice as a panel member for FDA hearings evaluating medications relevant to female sexual dysfunction. Dr. Brandon writes a popular Psychology Today blog – The Future of Intimacy. Her expertise includes the impact of evolutionary instincts on intimacy, and the impact of sex tech and AI on the future of humanity. Dr Brandon has a psychotherapy practice in Sarasota, FL.

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