In this intimate, graceful interview, Dr. Julie Schwartz Gottman shares perspectives and interventions to support couples in which one or both/all members are sexual trauma survivors

An on-demand, pre-recorded podcast interview by Elizabeth ‘Beth’ Irias, LMFT

  • Course Description

    Past sexual trauma can create enduring relationship and intimacy challenges, and therapists are sometimes unsure about how to address these in the room with both individuals and couples. This illuminating podcast interview with Dr. Julie Schwartz Gottman discusses the research the Gottman Institute has done on the relational impact of past sexual trauma history in one or both/all partners, and also explores helpful therapeutic approaches to address these unique considerations with individuals and couples alike.

    WARNING: Clearly Clinical listeners are warned that this interview course contains discussion about sexual trauma and acts of sexual violence.

  • Learning Objectives

    Upon completing this course, participants will be able to: List three or more relational effects of past sexual trauma; Describe two or more treatment interventions for addressing past sexual trauma


    Target Audience and Instructional Level
    This course is intended for psychologists, therapists, social workers, clinical counselors, and addiction counselors. Instructional level: Introductory & Intermediate

  • How To Take This Course

    This is an on-demand, one-hour, pre-recorded podcast interview CE course. In order to receive a certificate of completion reflecting the associated CE credit hour, you must:
    #1: Enroll in this free course and create a free Clearly Clinical account
    #2: Listen to the corresponding one-hour course podcast
    #3: Log into your Clearly Clinical account and achieve a passing grade on the post-presentation test (the test has ten questions and you must earn a score of at least 80%; you are able to re-test)
    #4: Complete the required course evaluation.

    Course requirements (including the course audio, post-test, and course evaluation) can be completed on a computer or mobile device via your Clearly Clinical account.

  • Course Format

    This high-quality and interesting course contains an on-demand, pre-recorded one-hour audio podcast interview, which is available for free via Apple Podcasts, Google Play, or your other favorite podcast providers. You can also listen to and download the file via the course player.

  • Commercial Support

    There is no known commercial support or conflict of interest for this CE program, content, sponsor, or instructor. Dr. Julie Schwartz Gottman is the co-founder and President of The Gottman Institute; she is the author of related studies, trainings, and books, which she mentions as potential resources during this course.

  • Certificate Access Details

    Once you've completed the course, your certificate will automatically populate in the 'Certificate' section of your account; it will also be emailed to you. Access to completion certificate will expire 365 days after issuance. Course certificates will be on file for ten (10) years from date of course completion.

  • Course Access Expiration

    Please note that you will have access to this free course for 30 days from when you sign up. If your access lapses and the course still has registration spaces available, you are welcome to re-enroll.

Expert Interviewee and Interviewer

Julie Schwartz Gottman, PhD, PSY

World-Renowned Couple Therapy Expert

Julie is a co-founder and President of The Gottman Institute and co-founder of Affective Software, Inc. with her husband John Gottman. A highly respected clinical psychologist, she is sought internationally by media and organizations as an expert advisor on marriage, sexual harassment and rape, domestic violence, gay and lesbian adoption, same-sex marriage, and parenting issues. She is the co-creator of the immensely popular The Art and Science of Love weekend workshops for couples, and she also co-designed the national clinical training program in the Gottman Method. Her other achievements include:
- Washington State Psychologist of the Year
- Author/co-author of books: Eight Dates: Essential Conversations for a Lifetime of Love, Ten Lessons to Transform Your Marriage, And Baby Makes Three, 10 Principles for Doing Effective Couples Therapy, The Man’s Guide to Women, and The Marriage Clinic Casebook
- Wide recognition for her clinical psychotherapy treatment, with specialization in distressed couples, abuse and trauma survivors, substance abusers and their partners, and cancer patients and their families.

Inspiring, empowering, respectful, and kind, Julie’s leadership of the Institute has made it possible to identify and integrate the expertise of her staff, therapists, and the wider research and therapeutic community. Her commitment to excellence and integrity assures that as The Gottman Institute grows, it continues to maintain the highest ethical and scientific standards.

She is in private practice in the Seattle area, providing intensive marathon therapy sessions for couples. She specializes in working with distressed couples, abuse and trauma survivors, those with substance abuse problems and their partners, as well as cancer patients and their families.

Elizabeth 'Beth' Irias, MS, LMFT

Interviewer & Clearly Clinical Founder

Elizabeth 'Beth' Irias (she/her) is a licensed Marriage & Family Therapist and the Founder and President of Clearly Clinical. She has specializations in Clinical Documentation, Best Practice, and Utilization Review, and works closely with clinical teams across the US as a trainer and national conference presenter; Beth was formerly an adjunct professor at Pepperdine University in the Graduate Psychology and Education department. Licensed in California and Oregon, she provides therapy via her private practice to young adult and adult clients, members of the LGBTQ population, and those with addictive disorders. She has two young children, a super cool spouse who helps out with Clearly Clinical's tech, and a rescue dog.

Why is Clearly Clinical the nation's premier CE provider?

  • CONVENIENT: All courses are 1-hour podcast episodes, available on Apple Podcasts, GooglePlay, and many others

  • AFFORDABLE: We are the least expensive unlimited CE option in the country, at just $60 for one year of unlimited CE courses

  • SOCIALLY-RESPONSIBLE: We donate to The Trevor Project for LGBT youth suicide prevention

  • WOMEN-OWNED: We are founded and run by Elizabeth Irias, LMFT

  • DIVERSE: We feature women and minority expert presenters

Become a Clearly Clinical Member

$60 for 1 Year of Unlimited Access to all of our Podcast CE Courses

Learn More & Join Now


Quick Note: Are you confused about the difference between a Continuing Education Unit (CEU) and a Continuing Education (CE) Credit Hour?  You're not the only one! Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page for clarification!