58th Annual PCA Conference

Name: Sexual Wellness & Sex Therapy: Navigating Intimacy, Trauma, and the Self (1.5 CE)
Start: 2026-11-06T15:30:00-0500
End: 2026-11-06T17:00:00-0500

Sexual Wellness & Sex Therapy: Navigating Intimacy, Trauma, and the Self (1.5 CE)

Friday November 6, 2026 3:30pm - 5:00pm EST

Session Feedback (for CEs)

In this session, Dana Kirkpatrick, LPC, and Brenda Walker explore the vital intersection of mental health, physical wellness, and sexual satisfaction. This talk demystifies the field of sex therapy, distinguishing it from general counseling by focusing on "sexual wellness"—defined as a deep connection to one’s own body, likes, and dislikes. Drawing on over two decades of clinical experience and personal resilience, the presenters address how life transitions such as cancer diagnoses, medical menopause, and shifts in faith impact intimacy.

The presentation provides a roadmap for identifying common sexual disorders (such as desire discrepancies and orgasmic disorders) while offering research-based strategies for treatment, including Sensate Focus, somatic interventions, and trauma-focused talk therapy. Attendees will gain insight into the importance of cultural humility, the role of religious influences on sexual history, and how to create an inclusive, "sex-positive" environment that honors the client as the expert of their own experience.

Speakers

Dana Kirkpatrick

Owner, LPC, CST-S, Calm Pittsburgh

Dana is a licensed mental health professional and a Certified Sex Therapist with a deeply personal connection to her work. As a breast cancer survivor and carrier of the BRCA2 gene, she brings a unique perspective to the intersection of oncology and intimacy. Her personal jo... Read More →

Brenda Walker

Operations Coordinator & Spiritual Advisor, MS, DiV, Calm Pittsburgh

Brenda Walker serves as the Operations Coordinator and community outreach lead for Calm Pittsburgh, where she also manages the practice’s Couples Program. An ordained pastor in the United Methodist Church with 17 years of experience in pastoral care, Brenda brings a unique and compassionate lens to relationship coaching and pre-marital counseling. She specializes in helping i... Read More →

Friday November 6, 2026 3:30pm - 5:00pm EST

90 Minute Education Session

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58th Annual PCA Conference

Dana Kirkpatrick

Brenda Walker

Attendees (4)

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58th Annual PCA Conference

Dana Kirkpatrick

Brenda Walker

Attendees (4)

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