NEFESH: The International Network of Orthodox Mental Health Professionals
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Beyond PTSD:
Exploring the Effects of Chronic Wartime Stress on Sexuality and Relationships in Israel

In the aftermath of October 7, 2023, Israeli society has been immersed in a state of ongoing collective trauma. While much has been written about the sexual impact of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the effects of acute and prolonged wartime stress on intimacy and sexuality remain less understood. This presentation explores how trauma in progress—rather than post-trauma—shapes sexual expression, attachment, and relational functioning.

Combining personal reflection, clinical insight, and new research findings, the presentation examines the relational and sexual implications of acute stress, media exposure, identity shifts, and differential coping within couples. Special attention is given to the unique psychological and sexual challenges faced by soldiers and their partners. The session also presents practical clinical recommendations for therapists supporting individuals and couples navigating intimacy under ongoing threat and grief.


https://nefesh.org/workshops/BeyondPTSDExploring/view

Beyond PTSD:
Exploring the Effects of Chronic Wartime Stress on Sexuality and Relationships in Israel

Wednesday, July 23, 2025, 10:00 AM EDT - 11:00 AM EDT
$29.99 Member Price:  $0.00 Talli Rosenbaum, Msc

In the aftermath of October 7, 2023, Israeli society has been immersed in a state of ongoing collective trauma. While much has been written about the sexual impact of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the effects of acute and prolonged wartime stress on intimacy and sexuality remain less understood. This presentation explores how trauma in progress—rather than post-trauma—shapes sexual expression, attachment, and relational functioning.

Combining personal reflection, clinical insight, and new research findings, the presentation examines the relational and sexual implications of acute stress, media exposure, identity shifts, and differential coping within couples. Special attention is given to the unique psychological and sexual challenges faced by soldiers and their partners. The session also presents practical clinical recommendations for therapists supporting individuals and couples navigating intimacy under ongoing threat and grief.


About the Presenter

Talli Yehuda Rosenbaum is an individual and couple therapist, certified sex therapist, and sex therapy supervisor (IAPST, ISST). She co-hosts the Intimate Judaism podcast and is co-author of I Am For My Beloved. Talli has published extensively on sexuality, trauma, and Jewish intimacy, and serves as associate editor of Sexual Medicine Reviews. She maintains a private practice and is academic advisor for Yahel: The Center for Jewish Intimacy.

This workshop Offers 1 Live Interactive Continuing Education Credits

Beyond PTSD:
Exploring the Effects of Chronic Wartime Stress on Sexuality and Relationships in Israel

Wednesday, July 23, 2025, 10:00 AM EDT - 11:00 AM EDT

Presenter: Talli Rosenbaum, Msc

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Course Length: 1 Hour

Learning Objectives:

  1. Describe key research findings on the relationship between PTSD and sexual functioning in individuals and couples.
  2. Identify the effects of acute and chronic wartime stress on intimacy, emotional regulation, and relational dynamics.
  3. Apply trauma-informed clinical strategies for supporting individuals and couples coping with sexual challenges during ongoing stress or post-trauma.
  4. Discuss potential implications of prolonged captivity and reintegration challenges on intimacy and sexual well-being.

This workshop Offers 1 Live Interactive Continuing Education Credits

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In the aftermath of October 7, 2023, Israeli society has been immersed in a state of ongoing collective trauma. While much has been written about the sexual impact of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the effects of acute and prolonged wartime stress on intimacy and sexuality remain less understood. This presentation explores how trauma in progress—rather than post-trauma—shapes sexual expression, attachment, and relational functioning.

Combining personal reflection, clinical insight, and new research findings, the presentation examines the relational and sexual implications of acute stress, media exposure, identity shifts, and differential coping within couples. Special attention is given to the unique psychological and sexual challenges faced by soldiers and their partners. The session also presents practical clinical recommendations for therapists supporting individuals and couples navigating intimacy under ongoing threat and grief.


Learning Objectives:

  1. Describe key research findings on the relationship between PTSD and sexual functioning in individuals and couples.
  2. Identify the effects of acute and chronic wartime stress on intimacy, emotional regulation, and relational dynamics.
  3. Apply trauma-informed clinical strategies for supporting individuals and couples coping with sexual challenges during ongoing stress or post-trauma.
  4. Discuss potential implications of prolonged captivity and reintegration challenges on intimacy and sexual well-being.

Agenda:

Presentation Outline

1. Introduction (5 minutes)

  • Presenter background

  • Session objectives

  • Context: October 7 and the rationale for discussing sexuality during wartime

2. The Role of Intimacy During Crisis (10 minutes)

  • Sexuality as a source of vitality, resilience, and connection

  • Historical anchors: Holocaust-era intimacy and survival

  • The tension between grief and desire

3. Clinical and Research Observations (10 minutes)

  • Early therapeutic encounters: guilt, avoidance, overfunctioning

  • Newly published data: wartime sexual behavior in Israel

  • Acute stress disorder (ASD) vs PTSD—implications for intimacy

  • 4. Neurobiology and Mechanisms (10 minutes)

  • Overlap between sexual and stress responses

  • The role of emotional regulation and safety in sexual functioning

  • Media vs direct exposure: predictors of sexual distress

5. Case Examples: Couples and Soldiers (10 minutes)

  • Couples facing divergent realities (e.g., home front vs battlefield)

  • Challenges of reintegration and emotional disconnection

  • Hypermasculinity, hyposexuality, and fear of vulnerability

6. Therapeutic Considerations (10 minutes)

  • Trauma-informed sex therapy approaches

  • Normalizing the sexual impact of stress

  • Communication strategies and somatic interventions

  • Holding space for grief and connection simultaneously

7. Conclusion and Q&A (5 minutes)

  • Reflections on intimacy after trauma

  • Brief discussion and questions



This presentation is open to:
  • Social Workers
  • Professional Counselors
  • Therapists
  • Psychologists
  • Licensed Mental Health Practitioners
  • Medical Doctors and Other Health Professionals
  • Other professionals interacting with populations engaged in mental health based services
Course Level: intermediate
Level of Clinician: intermediate
  • New practitioners who wish to gain enhanced insight surrounding the topic
  • Experienced practitioners who seek to increase and expand fundamental knowledge surrounding the subject matter
  • Advanced practitioners seeking to review concepts and reinforce practice skills and/or access additional consultation
  • Managers seeking to broaden micro and/or macro perspectives

Participants will receive their certificate electronically upon completion of the webinar and course evaluation form.

Disability Access - If you require ADA accommodations, please contact our office 30 days or more before the event. We cannot ensure accommodations without adequate prior notification. Please Note: Licensing Boards change regulations often, and while we attempt to stay abreast of their most recent changes, if you have questions or concerns about this course meeting your specific board’s approval, we recommend you contact your board directly to obtain a ruling. The grievance policy for trainings provided by the NEFESH INTERNATIONAL is available here Satisfactory Completion Participants must have paid the tuition fee, logged in and out each day, attended the entire workshop, and completed an evaluation to receive a certificate (If this is a pre-recorded program, a post-test with a passing grade of 80% to receive a certificate.) Failure to log in or out will result in forfeiture of credit for the entire course. No exceptions will be made. Partial credit is not available. Certificates are available after satisfactory course completion by clicking here.
There is no conflict of interest or commercial support for this program.
  • NEFESH International, Inc. is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0116.
  • NEFESH International is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists #MFT-0046
  • NEFESH International is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for Mental Health Counselor #MHC-0082
  • NEFESH International is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0048.
  • CE You! is an approved sponsor of the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners for continuing education credits for licensed social workers in Maryland.
    CE You! maintains responsibility for this program.

Refund Policy: Full Refund until 48 hours before scheduled date.
48 hours before: full refund less $5.00 processing fee. After event no refund will be given.
*exclusions apply for reasonable need and cause.