Issues in Individual Sex Therapy

Title of Event: Issues in Individual Sex Therapy

Description of Event:

Sex therapy is often practiced in conjoint/couples therapy, but many patients seek individual treatment for sexual problems. This three-hour workshop examines individual sex therapy -- its rationale, advantages, and limits. Participants will learn how to differentiate problems that can be effectively addressed in one-to-one treatment from those that require a partner’s involvement. Using case vignettes and current research, the course will explore assessment of desire and arousal disorders, performance anxiety, compulsive sexual behavior, sexual shame, religious/ethical conflicts, and the psychological sequelae of sexual trauma. We will also examine the practical barriers to working individually on relationally embedded interventions (e.g., sensate focus, graduated exposure to partnered touch, or co-constructed intimacy rituals) and discuss when referral or adjunctive couple therapy is warranted.

The course integrates symptom-focused psychosexual treatment with therapy for common comorbid issues such as trauma, anxiety, mood disorders, attachment disorders, and physical health.  The course also addresses faith/spirituality, transference/countertransference, and the times when “sex therapy is just therapy.” Participants will leave with conceptual models, treatment frameworks, and criteria for pivoting toward couple work or collaborative referrals.

Date of Event: Tuesday, January 27th, 2026

Time of Event: 12:00 PM EST - 3:00 PM EST

Location: Online Synchronous

Sexuality Education (SE) Training:

SE1. Sexuality education training will include, but is not limited to: theory and methods of general education (including curriculum development, delivery and evaluation).
SE2. Theory and methods of sexuality education (including curriculum development, delivery and evaluation).
SE3. Ethical issues in sexuality education.
SE4. Theory and methods of approaches to sexuality education with specific populations (e.g., youth, older adults, couples, ethnic/ cultural/ faith-based populations, LGBTQ people, people with disabilities).
SE5. Theory and methods of different approaches to sexuality education delivery (e.g., small group work, one-on-one education, large group lectures or interaction, online delivery or use of other electronic means).

Sexuality Counseling (SC) Training:

SC1. Theory and methods of personal/individual counseling.
SC2. Theory and methods of sexuality counseling approaches to specific populations (e.g., youth, older adult, couples, LGBTQ people, people with disabilities, ethnic/ cultural/ faith-based populations).
SC3. Theory and methods of different approaches to intervention in relationship systems.
SC4. Theory and methods of decision-making concerning sexually related medical interventions.
SC5. Ethical issues in sexuality counseling.
SC6. Theory and practice of consultation, collaboration and referral.

Sex Therapy (ST) Training:

ST1. Theory and methods of sex-related psychotherapy, including several different models.
ST2. Techniques of sex-related assessment and diagnosis of the Psychosexual Disorders described in the current edition of the DSM.
ST3. Theory and methods of approach to intervention in relationship systems experiencing sex and intimacy problems.
ST4. Theory and method of approach to medical intervention in the evaluation and treatment of psychosexual disorders.
ST5. Principles of consultation, collaboration and referral.
ST6. Ethical decision-making and best practice.
ST7. Practicum Experience: Exposure to treatment of clinical sex therapy cases through direct observation, demonstration, case review or role-playing. eLearning cannot be applied. Applicants must be very clear in their documentation as to how they gained exposure to sex therapy cases.

Presenter/Speaker: Dr. Stephen W. Simpson, PhD

Company/Organization Sponsor: Rivka Sidorsky & Associates

Contact Name: Lisa Karasik

Contact Telephone Number: (301) 244-8052

Contact Email: office@rivkasidorsky.com

Event Website: https://rivkasidorsky.org/workshops/Issuesin/view

AASECT Approved CEs: 3