About
Working in sex therapy can be incredibly rewarding. Still, because of the nature of the work, we may also encounter inappropriate enquiries, boundary-testing behaviours, sexually explicit communications, "nuisance callers", and clients whose intentions are not therapeutic.
This webinar explores how to recognise and respond to inappropriate client behaviour during the intake process while maintaining professionalism, safety, and ethical practice. Through real-world case examples, we'll discuss common scenarios that sex therapists may encounter, including inappropriate phone calls, emails, online enquiries, and requests for personal information.
Together we'll explore:
- Identifying genuine help-seeking clients versus inappropriate or non-therapeutic enquiries.
- Responding to nuisance calls, sexually explicit communications, and repeated boundary violations.
- Maintaining clear therapeutic boundaries from the very first contact.
- Ethical and legal considerations, including privacy, harassment, and practitioner safety.
Whether you're new to sex therapy or an experienced practitioner, this webinar will help you navigate challenging interactions with confidence, protect your wellbeing, and create a professional intake process for both you and your clients.
Presenters
Andrew Everingham is a Clinical Social Worker, an Accredited Clinical Psychosexual Therapist with SAS, and an Approved Counsellor with NSW Victim Services. Andrew has over fifteen years of experience in the sexual health field, having worked in various positions in publicly funded sexual health clinics across NSW, and currently as the Senior Social Worker at Nepean Sexual Health and HIV Clinic. Andrew also works in private practice (Staghorn Sexology) in the Blue Mountains, engaging in psychosexual therapy and relationship counselling, and as a lecturer for the Psychosexual Therapy pathway in the Sexual and Reproductive Health Postgraduate Program at the University of Sydney. Andrew has an interest in sexual dysfunction, sexual health/HIV and sexual health anxiety.
Kate Dempsey is an Accredited Clinical Psychosexual Therapist, Accredited Clinical Sexuality Educator, Certified Internal Family Systems (IFS) Clinical Consultant and Counselling Supervisor in private practice on Gurambilbarra Country in Townsville (Sexology North Queensland). Since 2019, she has worked in acute adult mental health at a psychiatric hospital and facilitates both inpatient and outpatient programs. She is on staff with an international teaching team for IFIO relationship therapy trainings and a member of the teaching team at the University of Sydney’s Postgraduate Program for Sexual and Reproductive Health in the Psychosexual Therapy pathway, lecturing on sexuality and trauma recovery. Kate brings a barefoot, down-to-earth approach to helping people feel safer, more connected, and less alone in their therapeutic journey.
Safari Lee is a sex therapist and ACA Level 3 counsellor, working in her private practice at Sage Sexology on Gadigal Land, Sydney. This semester, she is completing her fourth postgraduate degree in counselling and sexology, and has started writing a book. Alongside private practice, Safari supports SMART Recovery Australia and Chronic Pain Australia group facilitators, and is contracted as a relationship coach across the United States and Europe. Safari works with individuals and relationships, with a particular interest in LGBTQIA+, kink, and ENM communities, sex workers, compulsive sexual behaviours, and chronic pain. She is also passionate about helping counsellors and allied health practitioners feel confident and capable discussing sexual wellbeing with clients.
