A Gendered Touch: Working with Gender Diverse/Trans, Non-Binary, and Intersex Clients. Jeannie Miller and Jules Purnell
 
In this session, touch professionals will have the opportunity to interrogate their own beliefs and understandings of the gendered dynamics their gender diverse clients bring into the work of surrogate partner therapy, cuddling, and other hands-on healing modalities. Through the use of interactive presentation, including sample intake procedures, case scenarios, and group discussion, touch pros will learn more about the specific and unique needs of gender diverse client populations while also recognizing the universality of need any client will experience, irrespective of gender.
 
Topics covered will include culturally-relevant ways of discussing nudity and affirming terminology for body parts, the physical embodied realities of post-transition and/or post-surgery bodies, and general tips for engaging respectfully with gender diverse clients in a sexual capacity. Touch pros will also be given the opportunity to better understand their relationship to their own gendered experiences and how it relates to their hands-on work with all their clients. 
 
Working with Clients who are Neurodiverse and/or on the Spectrum. Dr. Erika Miley
 
These are some of the topics that may be covered.
 
Signs that a client might be neurodiverse
Creating an environment of acceptance with respect to neurodiversity
How to support neurodiverse adults in connecting with others
Ways to help neurodiverse folx be more in, and aware of, their body
How to find ways to work around sensory processing overwhelm to allow physical connection/touch, if desired
How an awareness of neurodiversity can support us in working with neurotypical folks
 
About the Presenters
 
This session will go from 3:00 to 5:40 Pacific time, which includes 2.5 hours and allows for a 10-minute break somewhere in the middle, at a time that is appropriate for the material. Then the guest speakers will leave us, and there will be an additional half hour, from 5:40 to 6:10, which will be a facilitated discussion and integration of the prior content. This last half hour is optional, so if you’ve had enough at that point you are welcome to skip it. If you choose to stay, you will be invited to consider questions, either all together or in breakout groups, like “What most impacted you from today’s session?” “How do you think you can incorporate this in your work as a surrogate partner?”
 
SPC Members can attend for 50% off. To get the member price, sign in to your account and select Member CE from the Membership Menu. Become a Member