Sex, Consent, and Trauma: An interdisciplinary exploration of the biology, psychology, and sociology of sexual interactions

In-person Workshop
Friday, December 1, 2023
10:00am-1:00pm ET
1 Washington Square North, Parlor, New York, NY 10003

NYSED and ASWB/ACE approved for 3 CE contact hours

This course is an interdisciplinary exploration of the biology, psychology, and sociology of sexual interactions, with a focus on the concepts of consent and survival. We will examine the physiological and evolutionary basis of sexual behavior, as well as the social and cultural factors that shape sexual norms and practices. Students will gain an understanding of the different perspectives and approaches to studying sexual interactions, and how these perspectives can inform our understanding of what it means to consent and to non-consent in sexual encounters.

We will explore the role of survival circuits in sexual behavior, and how these circuits can sometimes lead to confusion around issues of consent. The workshop will also examine the ways in which social and cultural norms around gender, power, and sexuality can impact how consent is understood and communicated. By the end of the workshop, attendants will have a deeper understanding of the complex factors that shape sexual interactions and be equipped with the tools to critically evaluate and analyze issues related to consent and non-consent.

In this workshop, participants will:

• Describe the physiological and evolutionary basis of sexual behavior.
• Explain the different perspectives and approaches to studying sexual interactions, including the biological, psychological, and sociological perspectives.
• Analyze the social and cultural factors that shape sexual norms and practices, and how these factors impact consent and non-consent.
• Examine the role of survival circuits in sexual behavior, and how these circuits can sometimes lead to confusion around issues of consent.
• Evaluate the ways in which social and cultural norms around gender, power, and sexuality impact how consent is understood and communicated.
• Develop critical thinking skills to analyze and evaluate issues related to consent and non-consent in sexual encounters.
• Apply knowledge and understanding of the workshop topics to real-world situations, such as the legal and ethical implications of consent in sexual encounters.
• Engage in respectful and open-minded discussion with peers on sensitive topics related to sexual interactions and consent.

Antonieta Contreras, LCSW-R

Antonieta Contreras, a former banker and consultant, is a Gestalt-trained psychotherapist graduated as a social worker from SSSW at New York University and the author of Traumatization and Its Aftermath (Routledge, 2023). After a few years working at agencies with highly traumatized people, she went on to obtain a specialization in Trauma Studies from the Institute of Contemporary Psychotherapies (ICP) and on Human Sexuality from NYU Langone School of Medicine. She maintains a private practice in NYC where she combines the different modalities that are concerned with trauma, as well as the contemplative techniques that she learned in India and from the Tibetan Buddhist traditions. She has served as Secretary of the Board of Our Home Base, a non-profit organization that targets foster care kids in transition among several non-for-profit organizations in different volunteer roles and is a board member of the New York City Association of Trauma Therapists. She has been a consultant, supervisor, faculty, and chair of several committees at the Institute of Contemporary Psychotherapies.

General Admission: $60.00

Available Discounts: 

• NYU Alumni (10% off): $54
• Current Practicum Instructors/Educational Coordinators (10% off): $54

If after registering, you determine that you can no longer attend this event, The Office of Global and Lifelong Learning will issue refunds on the following basis:

• Refund requests made on or before November 24, 2023 (by midnight): full refund
• Refund requests made on or before November 28, 2023 (by midnight): 50% refund
• Refund requests made on or after November 29, 2023: no refund

If this event is cancelled, all registrants will be fully reimbursed. To withdraw from and be reimbursed for this event, please complete the event withdrawal form.

NYSED and ASWB/ACE approved for 3 Continuing Education Contact Hours.

55 jurisdictions accept ACE-approved provider CE contact hours. ACE is not an approved Continuing Education provider in the states of New York (though NYU Silver is NYSED CE approved in NYS) and West Virginia, unless the event is outside of West VA. ACE only approves individual courses in New Jersey, though NYU Silver is CSWE-accredited and therefore accepted for licensed NJ professionals. Here is a full list of statutes related to social work CE.

Special Accommodations:
Students requiring accommodations have the opportunity to make these known upon registering or by writing to silver.continuingeducation@nyu.edu.

Addressing Grievances:
For information on our grievance and complaint procedures, contact 212.998.9099 or silver.continuingeducation@nyu.edu.

Note on Accessibility:
It is a priority to make our events inclusive and accessible. For any questions or to notify us of a request, please email silver.continuingeducation@nyu.edu at least 72 hours before the event.

NYU Silver School of Social Work
Office of Global and Lifelong Learning
285 Mercer Street, 2nd Floor
New York, NY 10003

Email: silver.continuingeducation@nyu.edu
Phone: 212.998.5973
Fax: 212.995.4497