The Impact of Medical Conditions and Chronic Illness on Sexuality

Title of Event: The Impact of Medical Conditions and Chronic Illness on Sexuality

Description of Event:

The primary goal of this two hour seminar will be to expand mental participants knowledge of common chronic illnesses affecting humans across the life-span, have a greater appreciation of the global impact of chronic illness on sexual function, and provide practitioners with strategies to reduce sexual distress and enhance sexual engagement for their patients living with chronic health problems.

The first hour will be a review of the locations and definitions of major bodily systems and the most common chronic illnesses patients are diagnosed with related to these systems. Basic anatomy and human physiology will be included in this first hour for the purpose of broadening participants knowledge of the human body and common disease states. The importance of acquiring a basic understanding of a patients medical diagnosis for enhancement of supportive counseling will be stressed. Additionally, the value of adopting a biopsychosocial approach to understanding the impact of disease on overall quality of life and its relationship to sexual function will be emphasized throughout the first hour (Sobel, T., & David, P 2024.) General pharmacology concepts and principals will be reviewed including the definitions of pharmacokinetics and dynamics. This is intended to assist participants in gaining a more sophisticated and useful understanding of the complexities, nuances, and imperfect science behind prescribing many pharmacologic agents. A broad review of drug categories, common side-effects associated with many medications readily prescribed and the goals of anticipatory guidance for patients using medications will be explained.

The second hour will focus on counseling strategies and interventions for the relief and improvement of sexual distress in patients living with chronic illnesses and disease. Specific examples of questions, inquiries, and recommendations that mental health counselors can implement to assist patients in the reduction of sexual distress and enhance engagement of satisfying sex will be offered. Case examples/studies will be used to illustrate these techniques.

Date of Event: May 15, 2026

Time of Event: 8am-10am PT / 10am-12pm CT / 11am-1pm ET

Location: Online Live through Zoom and Recorded for Homestudy

Sexuality Counseling (SC) Training:
SC4. Theory and methods of decision-making concerning sexually related medical interventions.

Presenter/Speaker: Evelyn Resh, CertiAPN/CNM, MPH, CSC, MSN

Company/Organization Sponsor: The Chicago School in partnership with The Association of Counseling Sexology and Sexual Wellness

Contact Name: Office of CE at The Chicago School

Contact Email: officeofce@thechicagoschool.edu

Event Website: https://tcsppofficeofce.com/may_15_2026-2/

AASECT Approved CEs: 2.0