When we consider work with children, adolescents, and families, the therapeutic task becomes nuanced and complicated. The role of fathers, mothers and caregivers relative to sexuality with their children is vital for healthy long term psycho-social and sexual development. This course will take students through concepts of foregrounding and backgrounding in parental roles, and how this can have positive long term results. Understanding how we might discuss parental involvement with children from the perspective of sexuality can prevent eating disorders, and other pathologies, and can launch children toward effective adult relationships. This course will be based on the work that won AASECT’s Patricia Schiller Prize in 2012.