Treating Sexual Issues in Couples Therapy

Title of Event: Treating Sexual Issues in Couples Therapy

Description of Event:

Many couples enter therapy assuming their sexual concerns should be kept out of their couples therapy, and many therapists refer clients to a sex therapist as soon as a sexual issue arises, believing that those concerns fall outside of their purview. Yet it is difficult to imagine a couple facing crises, conflict, anger, hurt, or deep emotional distress without sexual dynamics also being part of the picture. Sometimes sexual issues are the presenting problem, other times they may surface only when the therapist asks about them. When therapists inquire openly about sexuality or about how crises affect a couple’s sexual connection, they signal that sexuality is a normal and essential part of relational life, reducing shame and inviting honest dialogue. This webinar will address six issues that can emerge in couples’ sexual and emotional lives: infidelity, infertility, mismatched desire, serious illness (including cancer), one partner coming out as gay or transgender, and requests to open the relationship. We will explore conceptual frameworks, clinical applications, practical interventions and skills for navigating each scenario. Because sexual topics can evoke strong reactions in therapists, we will also consider the importance of noticing our own biases, assumptions and emotional responses. Developing greater comfort and competence in discussing sexuality strengthens our ability to effectively and sensitively support couples through complicated issues.

Date of Event: Tuesday, February 17th, 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. Shoshanna Bulow

Company/Organization Sponsor: Rivka Sidorsky & Associates

Contact Name: Lisa Karasik

Contact Telephone Number: (301) 244-8052

Contact Email: office@rivkasidorsky.com

Event Website: https://www.rivkasidorsky.com/

AASECT Approved CEs: 3