In-Person Training

3 CE Hours

Religiously-Based Sexual Shame: Helping Clients Overcome the Effects of Purity Culture

Camden Morgante, PsyD

 While religion has generally been thought to have a positive benefit on mental health and well-being, when it comes to sexuality, religion can be a source of shame and sexual dysfunction. Purity culture, a religiously-based abstinence education movement that peaked in the 1990s and 2000s, left many people suffering from problems in their mental health, relationships, sexuality, and spirituality. Many clients have a trauma reaction due to the effects of purity culture. Several treatment goals and interventions, such as mindfulness, cognitive restructuring, trauma therapy, and sex therapy, can lead to improvement in these symptoms. Treating religiously-based sexual shame presents several ethical dilemmas, including competency, values conflicts, and referring to other providers.

Objectives:

• Describe what purity culture is and the research on the effects of purity culture

• Apply common treatment goals and interventions for religiously-based sexual shame

• Identify common ethical issues in treating religiously-based sexual shame

About the Speaker(s)

Camden Morgante, PsyD

Dr. Camden Morgante is a licensed psychologist with nearly 15 years of experience as a therapist and college professor. She owns a private therapy practice focusing on women’s issues, couples and sex therapy, trauma, and spirituality, and is a frequent speaker. Her first book, Recovering from Purity Culture, published in October 2024 by Baker Books. Camden lives in Knoxville, Tennessee with her husband and their daughter and son.

TLPCA Contact

If you any questions, please contact Anthony Fuller.