Karen E. Engebretsen-Stopczynski, PsyD
Licensed Psychologist Board Certified Sex Therapist
Lectures & Presentations
Seminar Engebretsen-Stopczynski, K.E. (Announcement for June 4, 2014) Therapist as Victim of Emotional Terrorism: Ethical and Supervision Issues Stunned, disoriented, overwhelmed, and ashamed, the sex therapist still has a responsibility to re-group as quickly as possible after experiencing emotional and sexual trauma. But when the abuse is ongoing, what then, especially when the married sex therapist also participates in a sexual lifestyle outside of heterosexual monogamy? While the sex therapist is busy engaging in the on-going assessment of his/her patients, she/he may ALSO be sorting through personal survival issues. Regardless of one's theoretical orientation (or type of therapy that is being provided), the therapy experience, following the widespread aftermath of extreme emotional abuse, can present some interesting challenges. This workshop will describe the characteristics of transference and counter-transference and help participants understand how the therapist's feelings and responses fit into the clinical picture and will also address ethical and supervision considerations. Since much of the literature is based on positive outcomes, little is written about treatment struggles (at least) and catastrophes (at worst). Thus, in order to discuss the intricate nuances of the therapy dyad, I will be exposing some of my personal feelings and counter-transference responses resulting from the aftermath of my nightmare marriage. An outline of realistic "emergency practice management" procedures will be offered as well as suggestions for developing a network of support. Interactive dialogue regarding the case examples and lecture material will be encouraged.
Seminar Engebretsen-Stopczynski, K. E. (2010, Oct). Becoming a Sex Therapist: Specialized Training,
Part III. Presented to Bayview Center for Mental Health CE Training, North Miami, FL
Seminar Engebretsen-Stopczynski, K. E. (2010, Sept). Becoming a Sex Therapist: Specialized Training,
Part II. Presented to Bayview Center for Mental Health CE Training, North Miami, FL
Seminar Engebretsen-Stopczynski, K. E. (2010, July). Becoming a Sex Therapist: Specialized Training,
Part I. Presented to Bayview Center for Mental Health CE Training, North Miami, FL
Seminar Engebretsen-Stopczynski, K. E. (2010, May). Sex and Intimacy: Let’s Talk About it. Presented
to GBTI youth at SunServe LGBTI Community Center, Fort Lauderdale, FL
Seminar Engebretsen-Stopczynski, K.E., (2009, Oct). Is Anger all it’s Cracked up to be? Presented for the
Broward Country Mental Health Association at BARC (Broward Alcohol Rehab Center,
Lauderhill, FL.
Seminar Engebretsen-Stopczynski, K.E., (2009, Oct). Is Anger all it’s Cracked up to be? Presented for the
Broward Country Mental Health Association at BARC (Broward Alcohol Rehab Center,
Lauderhill, FL.
Seminar Engebretsen-stopczynski, K. E. (2008, Sept). Separation Anxiety in Children: Symptoms & Solutions.Holy Cross Hospital Community Services, Fort Lauderdale, FL
Seminar Engebretsen, K. E. (2006, Sept). When the Therapist is ALSO a victim of Natural
Disaster: Plan B. Presented at Hilton Hotel (Disney) American Association of
Integrative Medicine Annual Conference, Lake Buena Vista, FL
Seminar Engebretsen, K. E. (2005, Mar). The Aftermath of Domestic Violence: Implications for
Assessment and Treatment of Sexual and Relationship Dysfunction. Presented at the
Atlantic Shores Health Care, Inc/South Florida State Hospital, Pembroke Pines, FL.
Workshop Engebretsen-Larash, K. E. (2004, Mar). Bi-Bye Baby? Or Bi-sexual Issues in the
Lifestyle.Presented for the Bi-socials Organization, Four Points Sheraton, San Antonio, TX
Workshop Engebretsen-Larash, K. E. (2004, March). Couples and Boundaries: You want to do
WHAT?.Presented at the Lifestyle’s Convention, Deauville Hotel, Miami Beach, FL.
Lecture Engebretsen-Larash, K. E. (2003, Nov). Holiday Blues. Presented for the LightHouse for the
Blind, Davie Community Center, Davie, FL
Lecture Engebretsen-Larash, K. E. (2003, Nov). Holiday Stress. Presented for Community
Outreach Department, Holy Cross Hospital, Fort Laud, FL
Lecture Engebretsen-Larash, K. E. (2003, Oct). Barriers to intimacy: Understanding Men’s
Emotional and Sexual Needs. Presented at the Institute for 21st Century Relationships
Building Bridges III Conference, Coast Bellevue Hotel, Seattle, WA
Panel Discussion – AASECT Conference June 2003. Openings: The Challenges of Multiple Partnered
Lifestyles. K. Engebretsen-Larash, PsyD, Jim Higgins, PhD, Joy Davidson, PhD, &
Robert Francoeur, MD, Moderated by Barnaby Barratt, PhD, DHS, LV, Nevada.
Seminar Engebretsen-Larash, K. E. (2003, January). Domestic Violence: A different Perspective.
Presented for the South Florida Society for Trauma-Based Disorders at the Esther M.
Grossman Center, Hollywood, FL.
Lecture Engebretsen-Larash, K. E. (2002, Oct). Sexually Transmitted Infections: Are you at Risk?
Presented at the Institute for 21st Century Relationships Building Bridges II Conference, Holiday
Inn, Arlington, VA.
Lecture Engebretsen-Larash, K. E. (2002, Oct). Sexual Expression after Trauma: What’s Healthy? Presented at the Institute for 21st Century Relationships Building Bridges II Conference, Holiday Inn, Arlington, VA.
Lecture Engebretsen-Larash, K. E. (2002, March). Sex after cancer treatment: The facts.
Presented to the OP Cancer Support Group, Hollywood Memorial Medical Center,
Hollywood, FL
Seminar Engebretsen-Larash, K.E. (2001, October). Understanding the Role of Trauma in the
Assessment and Treatment of Sexual Addiction. Hosted by the Broward County
Marriage & Family Therapy Association. Atrium Centre, Davie, FL
Lecture Engebretsen-Larash, K. E. (2001, July). Erectile Dysfunction: An overview of causes
and treatment considerations. Presented to the OP Prostate Cancer Support Group,
Hollywood Memorial Medical Center, Hollywood, FL
Lecture Engebretsen-Larash, K. E. (2001, June). Erectile Dysfunction: An overview of causes
and treatment considerations. Presented to the OP Prostate Cancer Support Group,
Hollywood Memorial Medical Center, Hollywood, FL
Seminar Engebretsen-Larash, K. E. (2000, October). Barriers to Intimacy: Understanding the
role of trauma in the assessment and treatment of sexual addiction. Presented
at the Georgia Baptist School of Nursing, Atlanta, GA.
Case Presentation Engebretsen-Larash, K.E. (2000, July). Incorporation Therapy as a Stabilization
Tool for DID: A Case Presentation. Presented with Doug Lanes, MD at
Hollywood Memorial Hospital, Hollywood, FL
Seminar Engebretsen-Larash, K.E. (1999, July). Understanding Sexual Addiction and the Role
of Trauma. Hosted by the Broward County Mental Health Association and Florida
Psychological Association, Hollywood Memorial Hospital, Hollywood, FL
Seminar Engebretsen-Larash, K.E. (1999, May). Understanding how Trauma relates to Sexual
Addiction, Problems with Attachment, and Fear of Intimacy. Presented for Voices
in Action 17th International Conference, Ft. Lauderdale, FL.
Workshop Engebretsen-Larash, K.E. (1999, March). Stress Management for Parents. Workshop
presented at Bair Middle School, Plantation, FL. Hosted by the Mental Health
Association (MHA) of Broward County, “Listen to the Children Program.”
Inservice Presentation Engebretsen-Larash, K. E. (February 1994) The impact of physical illness
in the therapist: Countertransference issues and the pros and cons of self-
disclosure in the clinical setting. Presented at Bayview Center for Mental Health, Miami
Guest Lecturer Engebretsen-Larash, K.E., (Spring/Summer 1986). Business and Industry.
“Biofeedback and Its Applications in Stress Management." Presented at
Nova University, for class MGT/PSY 492 Advanced Special Topics –
Stress Management. Instructor: William Harrington, DBA.