Exploring Intimacy: Learn to talk confidently with clients about sex

New for 2026! Bring the vital subject of physical intimacy out of the shadows and into the therapy room. Led by Heidi Renton (Tavistock Relationships), tutor of our highly popular Certificate in Couples Counselling, this course provides a supportive space for practitioners across all modalities to explore the anxieties, language, and taboos that can make talking about sex daunting for both therapist and client.

Course Overview:

This three day CPD course (fortnightly Saturdays) is designed to develop your skills and confidence in raising and exploring the important subject of sexual relationships with your psychotherapy and counselling clients.

With a combination of theoretical and experiential learning we will reflect on the language, anxieties and assumptions around sex, focusing on why some clients experience difficulties in their sexual relationships. Working with straightforward resources, tools and techniques, you will practice how to help clients think about the meaning of sex in their lives, and how they might improve communication when they encounter problems.

The course aims to increase your awareness of the difference between desire and arousal; spontaneous and responsive desire, and the most common sexual issues. Guidance will be offered on sexual dysfunctions, to allow you to recognise when another referral pathway may be indicated or appropriate – such as to a medical specialist or COSRT registered psychosexual therapist.

Come and learn how to think and talk with your clients about the role of sexual intimacy in their lives, and how to better enjoy creative ‘adult play’.

What will I learn?

Day One (Sat 19 Sep 2026):

Sex and its meaning in relationships:

• Challenges to enjoying a sexual relationship
• The difference between desire and arousal
• Pleasure as the measure of sexual wellbeing
• Couple dynamics

Desire: who does what and why?

• Initiating sex
• Mind the Gap: desire discrepancy
• Sexual anxiety, performative sex and spectating
• Spontaneous versus responsive desire – The Basson model

Talking about sex with clients:

• The client perspective/fears
• Bringing sex into the room – finding the language
• Our own feelings around sex
• Sexual genograms

Day Two (Sat 3 Oct 2026): 

Desire, shame and erotic ‘blueprints’:

• Our therapeutic stance
• Diversity in sexual relationships – sexual/gender fluidity
• The ‘Gender Mirage’
• The role of fantasy
• Compulsive sexual behaviour/sexual betrayal

Working with the sexual relationship:

• Talking about talking about sex
• Increasing connectivity and confidence in clients
• Bringing back touch/physical expressions of affection

Day Three (Sat 17 Oct 2026):

Sex and the body:

• Arousal anatomy
• Physical/life-stage challenges to arousal
• ‘Good enough’ sex?

Sexual dysfunctions:

• Common issues and how to think/ask about them
• Assessment: what is important to know/ask
• When to refer onwards

Working with the sexual relationship:

• Intimacy in long term relationships
• Getting the context right and the importance of ‘simmering’
• Prioritising intimacy: sex as a ‘hobby’ – the creative couple
• Useful tools for better understanding between sexual partners

Who is my Tutor?

Heidi Renton MA, MBACP, RegCOSRT

You will be able to draw from Heidi’s extensive knowledge and experience in psychosexual and relationship therapy: she qualified for her Masters as a Psychodynamic Couple and Individual Psychotherapist at Tavistock Relationships in London and then specialised with a further qualification at the same institution, in Psychosexual and Relationship Therapy.

Heidi has since lectured and tutored on both the Tavistock courses, from which she graduated, and is currently teaching on both the Tavistock Relationships MSc in Psychosexual Therapy and Certificate in Psychosexual Studies courses, alongside running her own private practice. In addition, Heidi trains and supervises NHS and IAPT counsellors on the Tavistock’s Couple Therapy for Depression time-limited model.

She is a registered member of both the BACP and COSRT as well as a graduate member and international affiliate of the Tavistock Institute of Medical Psychology (TIMP).

Heidi left a successful career in business and media education to dedicate herself to helping people find happiness in their personal, sexual, and intimate relationships.

Dates

Day One: Saturday 19th September 2026
Day Two: Saturday 3rd October 2026
Day Three: Saturday 17th October 2026

Time: 10am to 4pm

Location: Basingstoke Counselling Service, Goldings, London Road, Basingstoke, RG21 4AN

Cost

£325 early bird rate if booked by 31st August 2026
£375 thereafter

There are a limited number of places available on this course and early application is therefore advised.

Payment Plans:

We are happy to arrange payment by instalments, please email events@basingstokecounselling.org.uk so that we can set up a payment schedule for you and reserve your place.

There is a £25 admin fee for setting up the instalments as we do incur costs and unfortunately as a small charity, we do need to pass this on.

BCS Staff & Counsellors:

There is a 50% discount available on the full price (not the early bird price) for BCS Staff & Counsellors. This is limited to a maximum of two people, and they must be working with the organisation for the duration of the course.

Requirements for our Exploring Intimacy course:

• You must hold a formal, recognised qualification in counselling or psychotherapy at diploma level or above.
• You must be a full member of a professional body (e.g., BACP, UKCP, etc.) and work within their ethical framework.

We will issue you with a Certificate of Attendance on completion of the course. 

Why choose Basingstoke Counselling Service?

Our CPD training is designed to be thorough, practical, and highly relevant to everyday practice. We provide a supportive learning environment led by experienced, specialist tutors, ensuring you gain both the clinical insights and practical confidence to enhance your work with clients.

Terms and Conditions:

Please note that in order to receive the BCS discounted rate, you must remain a BCS staff member or counsellor for the entire duration of the course. Full course fees will be payable if you leave the organisation during the course.

In the unlikely event that unforeseen circumstances arise and BCS has to cancel the CPD course, you will receive a full refund. In the event of cancellation by you, the participant, BCS reserves the right to charge a cancellation fee as indicated by the table below. All requests for cancellations must be received in writing, with changes becoming effective on the date written confirmation is received.

Please ensure you meet the entry requirements prior to booking your place. If you do not meet the entry requirements, you will be unable to attend the course, and your withdrawal will be treated as a cancellation and subject to the above cancellation policy.

Contact

If you have any questions about the course then please email events@basingstokecounselling.org.uk or call us on 01256 843125.

CPD for counsellors

We run various CPD courses for counsellors throughout the year. Take a look at all our upcoming courses or join our mailing list to be the first to hear about our CPD opportunities.