Beverly Simmons, PhD, LCSW, on Female Sensuality, Sexual Subjectivity, Arousal Regulation, Orgasmic Functioning, Intersections and Women's Healthcare

Female Sensuality, Sexual Subjectivity, Arousal Regulation, Orgasmic Functioning, Intersections and Women's Healthcare: How Contemporary Neuroscience Affects Ethical Psychoanalytic Understanding and Practice

Presented by Beverly Simmons, PhD, LCSW

Saturday, September 20, 2025

10 am to 12 pm ET

Hybrid via Zoom or In-Person

McKimmon Center | Raleigh, NC

Fee: $60**

Modern neuroscience calls our attention to the reality that one of the most impactful regulation experiences for a human adult nervous system (and thus physical, emotional, mental and spiritual health) is a safe, present-oriented, consensual, intersubjective sexual encounter. Our cellular biology related to orgasmic experience is a significantly deeper layer of these health-regulating intersubjective encounters. Yet, the majority of the world’s cultures and health care systems, no matter how well intended, actively deny, minimize, dismiss, suppress or repress the physiological health impact of sexual subjectivity and orgasmic experience, particularly for female-identifying members of society. Such assaults on subjectivity and, ultimately female nervous systems, are even more pronounced when we account for intersections of race, class, age, disability status and sexual orientation. Poor societally endorsed psychological boundaries surrounding female self ownership, sensuality and sexual subjectivity not only lead to increased physical and sexual violence against women, but also deny women the fundamental right to live in healthy bodies with well-regulated nervous systems. Dr. Simmons will present an integration of neuroscience, psychoanalytic, legal and social research to address this phenomenon and its impact on ethical analytic thought and practice.

** Free admission and CE credits for PCC members, LDC staff, and full-time graduate students and resident physicians with ID (in the Departments of Social Work, Psychology, Psychiatry, and Mental Health Counseling).

CME credits: 2 /CE credits: 2 / NBCC: 2 clock hours / All others: Letter of Attendance

Registration closes Wednesday, September 17 at 11:59 pm ET

About Beverly Simmons, PhD, LCSW

Dr. Beverly Simmons is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) with a Master of Social Work from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a PhD from Smith College in Northampton, MA. Her professional passion is integrative clinical practice that is rooted in traditional and contemporary psychoanalytic theories, intersects with affective neuroscience and interpersonal neurobiology, and is always contextualized within the social environment. She believes that therapeutic relationships are most effective when the therapist is able to help the patient understand discrepancies between their verbal communications, emotional expressions, and unconscious nervous system responses. In addition to the original Freudian concept of a dynamic unconscious, Dr. Simmons has specific interest in the internal sense of agency of her clients, which offers an appreciation of the responsibility and accountability that come with increased self-awareness and a growth mindset. She has practiced in NC for more than 20 years and maintains a professional practice with a diverse client population in Raleigh, NC. Jill Dunn, LCSW states, “Dr. Simmons’ work is thoughtfully and compassionately guided by her extensive training in depth, somatic and trauma therapies. With warmth, candor and a drive to relieve suffering, she weaves cutting-edge neurobiological science, psychoanalytic and somatic therapies with social science data to effectively treat the whole person.”

CME credits: 2 / CE credits: 2 / NBCC: 2 clock hours / All others: Letter of Attendance

The Psychoanalytic Center of the Carolinas has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6518. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. The Psychoanalytic Center of the Carolinas is solely responsible for all aspects of the program.

The Psychoanalytic Center of the Carolinas is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The Psychoanalytic Center of the Carolinas maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

Social workers will receive a letter of attendance documenting their hours of continuing education. This certificate may not be acceptable verification in all states.

ACCME Accreditation Statement

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of American Psychoanalytic Association and the Psychoanalytic Center of the Carolinas. The American Psychoanalytic Association is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

AMA Credit Designation Statement

The American Psychoanalytic Association designates this live activity for a maximum of 2 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Disclosure Statement

The APsA CE Committee has reviewed the materials for accredited continuing education and has determined that this activity is not related to the product line of ineligible companies and therefore, the activity meets the exception outlined in Standard 3: ACCME's identification, mitigation and disclosure of relevant financial relationship. This activity does not have any known commercial support.

Contact: Kayla@CarolinaPsychoanalytic.org

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