Integrating Sexuality into Recovery (January 2027)

Drs. Covington and Carlisle lead this training for therapists, counselors, survivors, and anyone committed to sexual healing and empowerment, as well as anyone interested in their own body, desire, and sexual truth. This virtual training is open to the general public. Space will be limited.

Sexuality is an integral part of human health and healing. Yet, it can be a trigger for relapse and remains one of the most overlooked and silenced aspects of women’s recovery. Therapists, recovery programs, and mutual help groups all struggle to adequately support women and gender-expansive people who are ready to address sexual issues in their lives.

This training explores concepts and interactive exercises from the new book Awaken Your Sexuality: A Guide to Connection and Intimacy after Addiction and Trauma and the Awaken Your Sexuality Workbook, written by Dr. Stephanie Covington (author of A Woman's Way Through the Twelve Steps) and Dr. Vanessa Carlisle. Author Elizabeth Gilbert says of Awaken Your Sexuality, “We need this book yesterday…sure to become a treasured resource.” The material can be adapted for use in treatment programs, individual counseling and therapy, and mutual help groups, or by individuals using a self-help model. Exercises range from reflective writing to somatic (body-based) practices and are designed to be inclusive of gender identity and sexual orientation, with a focus on the experiences of women and nonbinary people.

Addiction, trauma, and shame can shatter the experience of intimacy and sexual joy. But healing is possible. Co-authors Covington and Carlisle bring their expertise in the fields of sexuality, gender, addiction, and trauma to deliver hope, understanding, and acceptance.

All handouts and information required for this training are included in the registration fee.

Obtaining the program materials for this training is not required. After you register, you will be sent a link for the training as well as a printable PDF of the PowerPoint and any handouts that are used during the training.

However, we suggest that each person attending the training obtain a copy of the book and workbook to view during the training to enhance your learning experience. You can obtain materials from either Covington Books or the publisher.

Presenters

This training is conducted by Stephanie S. Covington, PhD, LCSW (she/her) and co-author Vanessa Carlisle, PhD (they/them). Throughout this interactive training, presenters will discuss how the materials can be used in a variety of settings, including therapy, counseling, and mutual help groups, or individually.

January 26-27, 2027 (2-day training, 4 hours per day)

12 pm - 4 pm Eastern Time
11 am - 3 pm Central Time
10 am - 2 pm Mountain Time
9 am - 1 pm Pacific Time

Register

Next Steps

View our Zoom Participant Guide for helpful suggestions to prepare for the training, as well as our Training FAQ page.
$260 per person. Deadline to register: January 25, 2027
We do provide continuing education credits (CE's). Please see below for additional information.
Purchase Orders: If organizations want to register multiple people using a Purchase Order, please email your request to training@stephaniecovington.com for more information.
For additional information, such as cancellation policies, CE certificates, etc., please visit our Training FAQ page.

Topics

A contemporary look at the sexual issues that can be barriers to recovery
The complex intersections of trauma, addiction, and sexual healing

Objectives

Define sexuality and sexual well-being for yourself
Identify the impact of addiction and trauma on sexuality in society, for your clients, and your own life
Practice self-reflective exercises from Awaken Your Sexuality and the Awaken Your Sexuality Workbook

Awaken Your Sexuality is the book I needed when I was newly sober, and it still helps me after 10 years of recovery. Covington and Carlisle have an inclusive insight that brings nuance to the intersection of trauma and intimacy.

- Tawny Lara
Author of Dry Humping: A Guide to Dating, Relating, and Hooking Up Without the Booze
Warning: May cause spontaneous outbreaks of self-love and emotional breakthroughs! This book is a transformative and empowering guide that approaches intimacy with incredible warmth and clarity. Dr. Stephanie Covington and Dr. Vanessa Carlisle create a judgment-free space with deep insight that is perfect for anyone looking to reconnect with themselves, their sexuality, and their body. The way the authors address body image as a foundational piece of healing from trauma and how deeply these experiences disconnect us from our beautiful physical selves, was particularly profound for me. It’s a massive relief to read an intimacy guide that doesn't just tell you to buy matching underwear and put on your best dress. This exploration of the mind-body-soul connection reminds us that intimacy is deeply tied to our mental clarity and spiritual healing. I highly recommend it for its gentle, life-changing wisdom.

- 5 star review on Amazon
As a woman in long-term recovery, I know how often our bodies, sexuality, and pleasure are left out of the healing conversation. Awaken Your Sexuality is a brave and necessary invitation to reclaim what addiction, trauma, or shame may have silenced. It speaks directly to our lived experience and centers intimacy—not just sex—as essential to recovery. The authors remind us that recovery can hold all of who we are—and that pleasure, connection, and belonging are ours to claim.

- Dawn Nickel, PhD
Founder of SHE RECOVERS Foundation
Drs. Covington and Carlisle guide their reader through reconnection to self while deconstructing systemic myths and increasing survivors' hope and pleasure. This book is a needed tool for anyone exploring connections between sexuality, healing, and recovery.

- Theodore Burnes, PhD
Professor of Clinical Education and Licensed Clinical Psychologist University of Southern California
Awaken Your Sexuality puts women and nonbinary people at the center of a topic that too often leaves us out: how to thrive as a sexually authentic and vibrant human being, no matter the specifics.

- August McLaughlin
Author, Journalist, and Host/Producer of Girl Boner Radio

NAADAC continuing education credits (CE’s)

Dr. Stephanie S. Covington is a NAADAC Approved Education provider, provider number 250526. For more information, please visit http://www.naadac.org/providers.

Attendees of this training will receive 7 NAADAC continuing education credits (CEs). Attendees must attend all 2 days, 4 hours per day plus complete the evaluation form at the end of the training to receive credit. The following organizations and boards approve NAADAC CEs: http://www.naadac.org/naadac-ce-approvals

Social Workers (ASWB) Credit Designation

Stephanie S. Covington, LLC dba Center for Gender & Justice, provider number 2033, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 9/25/25 - 9/25/28. Social workers completing this course receive 7 continuing education credits.

The following jurisdictions approve ASWB Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program CEs: https://www.aswb.org/licenses/ace-approved-continuing-education/

This virtual training is open to the general public, but space is limited for this interactive training so register now.

We have a wide variety of people attend our trainings from licensed professionals (Masters and Doctorial Level) as well as paraprofessionals and peer-facilitators. Because professionals tend to work in interdisciplinary teams, this course is created for social workers, counselors, therapists, clinical supervisors, correctional professionals, and program administrators.

NAADAC and ASWB do not allow for partial CE credit; therefore, we cannot issue partial CE certificates.

Training, consulting, and programming for public agencies, organizations, and institutions.

www.stephaniecovington.com | www.covingtontraininginstitute.org | www.centerforgenderandjustice.org

1201 Camino Del Mar, Suite 204, Del Mar, CA 92014 • 858.454.8528
The Covington Training Institute is proud to be a women-owned organization dedicated to advancing healing-centered, equity-driven systems of care.

© Stephanie S. Covington, PhD, LCSW