October 2-4, Online Workshop
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This 12 hour training is an introduction to the Ripening Approach for clinicians who are interested in the HOW of working bottom-up and moment to moment with complex couples in sex therapy. We will use video to show you how we slow things down to assess in real time how a couple’s relational system is causing pain and interfering with their erotic aspirations. From there you will learn how we structure and sequence our work developmentally to help couples move from a sexual impasse to ripening over their lifespan.
The Ripening Approach is informed by the Psychobiological Approach to Couple Therapy (PACT), Tantra, strategic therapy. Clinicians tell us that the way we work helps them see their cases in new and exciting ways, allowing them to better use the body as a doorway to relational and erotic development. We will teach you how to see developmental neurobiology, differentiation, attachment and arousal regulation in an erotic context. From there we will offer a practical roadmap to guide you through assessment and intervention. Once you really understand what it is that dogs couples in the bedroom you can more easily pick targets for session that move couples forward more efficiently. It is our hope that complex sex therapy cases become ripening opportunities for clinicians and couples alike!
We will be using video of real couples and will ask that you sign a contract with us agreeing not to record or distribute this material.
October 2-4, 2026 all on Zoom
JOIN THE WORKSHOP HERE!
Learning Targets:
- Assessment and case construction in bottom-up sex therapy. Learn how arousal regulation, attachment style and embodiment affect a couple’s capacity to function securely in an erotic context.
- Learn to sequence your work developmentally so couples develop the skills they need to grow their erotic capacity.
- Learn common mistakes couple therapists make working bottom up.
“The Ripening Approach is a strategic roadmap that hones in on the moment-to-moment erotic journey of the couple. Karen and Caroline explore the somatic narrative that is so often overlooked but when explored provides new, sensual ways of being connected. The Ripening Approach brings a fresh perspective to sex therapy, leading to lasting change. It is what we need right now.”
—Allison Howe, PACT Institute Senior Faculty
Pre-Requisites:
Clinicians who have completed PACT Level 1 or above or clinicians with training in another form of systemic therapy (EFT, Gottman, etc..) are invited to attend. Please call Karen to discuss your readiness for this training if you do not have any specialized training in couple therapy. You do not need to have sex therapy certification to apply.
Important Details
We will meet on Zoom:
Friday, October 2, 2026 1-5pm EST
Saturday, October 3, 1-5 pm EST
Sunday, October, 4 2026 1-5 pm EST
The cost for the workshop is $800 per person.
$700 EARLY REGISTRATION
Your Guides
Dr. Karen Berry, PACT Certified Therapist
Karen weaves Tantra with relational science, yoga, and Five Rhythms practices into a powerful alchemy for embodied transformation and sacred relationship. For over 35 years Karen Berry, Ph.D. has been a clinical psychologist and differentiation-based sex therapist who has optimized clinical outcomes for clients and therapists alike.
She was a member of the original Core Faculty at the PACT Institute (the Psychobiological Approach to Couple Therapy), continues to mentor new and experienced PACT therapists, and she now leads Ripening Retreats for couples seeking erotic upgrades.
Caroline Russell Smith, LCSW, Certified Sex Therapist and PACT Level 2
Caroline Russell Smith is a clinical social worker and certified sex therapist who has dedicated her 25 year career to complex trauma recovery and erotic liberation. Her sex therapy work with couples is rooted in the Psychobiological Approach to Couple Therapy (PACT). Widening access to clinical knowledge is a guiding principle for Caroline. She has facilitated a free LGBTQ+ support group for the last 15 years and offers sexuality and gender workshops for colleagues, parents, teens and college students in her community. Her goal as a white, queer, cis, middle-aged, married human is to show up as a human/therapist/teacher with an abundance of open-hearted curiosity, humility and love. Learn more about her at: https://caroline-russell-smith.squarespace.com/
OCTOBER WORKSHOP REGISTRATION HERE!
Want to read more about the way we work?
For more information about our approach check out The First 30 Seconds: How PACT Can Help Couples with Sexual Encounters by Caroline Russell Smith and When a Couple Desires More Intimacy by Dr. Karen Berry.
