Join Sally Openshaw for a Professional Development Day to widen your knowledge and normalise the presence of erotic material in the therapy room. 

Erotic transference is described by Cook as “A psychodynamic concept describing the unconscious transfer of romantic or sexual feelings from a patient’s past relationships onto a therapist Cook,B. Feb 2022.

Countertransference refers to the feelings, images, fantasies and reactions that a healthy therapist has as a unique reaction to the unconscious communication of a client. Bollas 1979

Mann 1999 discusses how erotic are often avoided or closed down in supervision. This is even more likely if physical arousal is experienced in the supervisee.

I frequently hear supervisors say they've not been taught how to manage this topic in their trainings. This is supported by a recent study which also suggested attention in training is limited.

Event aims 

The main aims of this PDD are to: 

  • to provide supervisors with ways to open up this to open up this topic in supervision using the 7 eyed model of supervision
  • to normalise and contain the reactions that a supervisee may experience with this content
  • to consider and mitigate the risks of potential boundary violations
  • develop a greater knowledge of erotic transference and counter transference 
  • provide a safe and confidential space to discuss intimate details from clinical practice 
  • provide resources for further self-study 

Learning outcomes 

By attending this event, delegates will learn to:  

  • consider the value of the seven eyed model of supervision (Hawkins,P, Shoet,R, 1985) to open space for topic in Supervision.
  • consider the normalisation and containment of physical, emotional, behavioural and cognitive responses in supervisee
  • build capacity to jointly risk assess using boundary violation cycle (Shelton 2020:30)
  • gain awareness of a 6-step model of intervention adapted from research by Martin(2011) to guide practice 
  • read material to support ongoing learning and confidence building with this topic

Programme 

The event will begin at 9.30am and finish at around 1pm

View the full programme 

About the presenter 

Sally Openshaw is a relationship therapist who specialises in sexual issues.  She is a senior accredited member and supervisor in COSRT (College of Sexual and Relationship Therapists) and is currently President of the International Integrative Psychotherapy Association.  Sally has always had a natural curiosity to explore spaces which are often avoided and this brought her to erotic transference and counter transference.  She has engaged many groups of practitioners to learn about this topic over the last 13 years and is now expanding this teaching to look at supervision and the support that is required in practice.  Feedback from previous teaching shows how engaged learners are in the content, how they value the clinical examples and the realness presented in the story telling.  Sally has recently reduced her clinical workload to provide more space to write a book about erotic transference and counter transference. 

Key information 

This event will take place online on Friday 10 July 2026. 

After booking you’ll receive a confirmation email. Full joining instructions will be sent out nearer the event date. 

Your booking includes:

  • three hours of CPD presentations 
  • Q&A session with Sally 
  • CPD certificate to download 
  • selected presentation slides 
  • light lunch and refreshment break 
  • opportunities to network with other attendees 

Location and venue

This PDD will be held in London on Friday 15 January 2027, the venue is still being confirmed.

Accessibility

Hearing loops, and large print handouts are available on request.  

For a full list of our event accessibility commitments please visit our website >