top of page

Friday, January 16, 2026

2025 ACSSW Series

 

Deep Dive into the ACSSW Exemplary Practices: Understanding Human Attraction

Presented by Clark D. Ausloos, PhD, LPC, LPCC, SCL, NCC

Webinar Description:

Attraction is a multidimensional phenomenon encompassing various types of desires and connections toward others, including aesthetic, affectional, intellectual, platonic, romantic, sensual, and sexual attractions (Pope et al., 2024). The ACSSW Exemplary Practices for Counseling Sexology and Sexual Wellness recognize that attraction extends beyond traditional binary notions of sexuality to include the asexual and aromantic spectrums, the fluidity of attraction, and the distinctions between different types of attraction. This webinar provides an in-depth exploration of Practice Area 7: Attractions, examining the attitudes, knowledge, skills, and advocacy practices necessary for counselors to create clinical spaces that foster safety and acceptance for the varied forms of attraction clients experience. Grounded in sex positivity, queer theory, and relational-cultural theory ([RCT]; Jordan, 2017; Mosher, 2017; Rowland & Cornell, 2021), participants will explore how societal norms, media representations, cultural narratives, and historical influences shape both counselor and client conceptualizations of attraction. Participants will learn to critically examine their own attitudes and beliefs toward various forms of attraction, develop inclusive language practices for discussing attraction with clients, and apply affirming counseling approaches that address the complexities clients may face regarding societal stigma, internalized negativity, and trauma history. The webinar will incorporate the self-evaluative questions from the Exemplary Practices as a reflective assessment tool for ongoing professional development. Participants will also explore how to integrate knowledge of attraction into holistic case conceptualizations addressing clients’ sexual health, pleasure, wellness, and functioning (Pope et al., 2024). Additionally, counselor educators and supervisors will gain strategies for incorporating comprehensive training on attraction into curricula and supervision, including reflective practices that encourage trainees to examine how their beliefs about attraction may impact counseling practice.

About the Speaker...

Clark A._edited.jpg

Dr. Clark D. Ausloos (he/him) is an assistant professor in the Department of Counseling where his teaching, research, and clinical practice reflect a deep commitment to liberation, justice, queer and trans affirmation, and the empowerment of marginalized communities. Dr. Ausloos has extensive experience working with LGBTQ+ youth and families across school, community, and healthcare settings, with particular expertise in sexuality issues in counseling and supporting gender-diverse clients. His scholarship bridges counseling, education, and social justice, centering trauma-informed, sex-positive, and gender-affirming approaches to care. He has authored or co-authored more than 25 peer-reviewed publications and book chapters, including the ACSSW Exemplary Practices for Counseling Sexology and Sexual Wellness, delivered over 70 national and international conference presentations, and regularly consults with organizations such as Columbus Public Health, the Hunt Institute, and Rutgers University to advance equitable mental health practices. Dr. Ausloos’s contributions to the counseling profession have been recognized with numerous honors, including the Ohio Counselor of the Year Award (2020), the Professional Integrity and Leadership Award (OASERVIC, 2020), the Ned Farley Service Award (SAIGE, 2023), and the SAIGE Presidential Award (2024). In 2023, he was named the UNC Charlotte Robert Barret Distinguished Lecturer on Multicultural Issues in Counseling. Currently serving as President-Elect of the Society for Sexual, Affectional, Intersex, and Gender-Expansive Identities (SAIGE), Dr. Ausloos also holds leadership roles with ACA, NBCC, ACES, AARC, ACAC, and serves on the Research and Scholarship Committee for the Association for Counseling Sexology and Sexual Wellness (ACSSW).

This webinar is offered at $10 to ACSSW Members. Contact ACSSW@counselingsexology.com if you have trouble with registering for ACSSW webinars or need the coupon for reduced rate as ACSSW member.

 

This program has been approved for APA, CA BBS, IL IDFPR, NBCC, and AASECT.  

The Office of Continuing Education at The Chicago School is now a Continuing Education Provider for the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT).

​

The registration for this program can be found here: 

https://tcsppofficeofce.com/nov_21_2025-2/

Zoom link will be available on course page in “My Courses” upon event registration. 
This program, when attended in its entirety, offers 2.0 CEs for Psychologists, 2.0 IL CEUS for Counselors and Social Workers, 2.0 BBS California CEUs for LPCCs, LPSWs, and LMFTs, or 2.0 AASECT CEs for Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists.

Be sure to check out all of the past ACSSW webinars available for homestudy CEs at: https://tcsppofficeofce.com/the-association-for-counseling-sexology-sexual-wellness-acssw/

  • Facebook
  • Instagram

©2019 by Association of Counseling Sexology and Sexual Wellness (ACSSW).

bottom of page