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Clinical Treatment for Female Sexual Issues

Tuesday, February 2nd, 2027   12:00 PM EST -3:00 PM EST
Rivka Sidorsky
$59.99

This class provides IAPST credits which are eligible for credits toward Certification as a Sex Therapist.  See iapst.org/certification

See complete list of certificates available in the Accreditation tab

This workshop provides clinicians with a comprehensive framework for understanding and treating female sexual difficulties, including low desire, orgasmic challenges, and genito-pelvic pain. Drawing on evidence-based psychotherapeutic, behavioural, and medical approaches, participants will learn how to distinguish normal variations in sexual response from diagnosable dysfunctions and practice intervention planning through case-based activities. Emphasis will be placed on integrating psychological, relational, and physiological perspectives in clinical care.

To register or access the part 2 asynchronous/self study click -> HERE <-

About the Presenter

Rivka Sidorsky is an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist, an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist Supervisor, an IAPST Certified Psychosexual Therapist, an IAPST Certified Psychosexual Supervisor, a licensed clinical social worker, a Social Work Board Certified Supervisor, a Faculty Lecturer, a published author, a Harvard University research fellowship recipient, and an experienced lecturer. She is the owner and director of a group psychotherapy practice in Silver Spring, Maryland. She teaches sex therapy on topics such as female sexual dysfunction, sexual pain, vaginismus, sexual aversion, couples sexual issues, and performing sex therapy with diverse religions and cultures. She lives in Silver Spring with her husband and their five children.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Identify and differentiate common female sexual dysfunctions, including low desire/arousal difficulties, orgasmic challenges, and genito-pelvic pain, using evidence-based clinical frameworks.
  2. Apply psychotherapeutic, behavioural, and medical interventions through case-based activities, role-plays, and treatment planning exercises.
  3. Integrate multidisciplinary perspectives by considering physiological, relational, cultural, and contextual factors in developing comprehensive treatment approaches.

Agenda:

(15 min) — Welcome & Framing the Workshop

Introductions and overview of learning objectives:

Review evidence-based treatments for common female sexual difficulties.

Explore psychotherapeutic, medical, and multidisciplinary approaches.

Practice applying interventions through case work.

Icebreaker activity: “What comes to mind?” — participants share words they associate with female sexual treatment


(30 min) — Segment 1: Low Desire / Arousal Difficulties

Teaching content:

Psychoeducation about normal sexual response variation.

Sensate focus and mindfulness-based interventions.

CBT approaches (challenging beliefs, performance anxiety).

Medical/hormonal options (testosterone, HRT).

Guided discussion: How do therapists distinguish between normal variation vs. dysfunction requiring treatment?

Mini-activity: In pairs, design a 4-session intervention plan for a hypothetical client with hypoactive sexual desire.


(30 min) — Segment 2: Orgasmic Difficulties

Teaching content:

Education about anatomy, arousal, and stimulation styles.

Behavioural strategies (directed masturbation, sensate exploration, use of devices).

Addressing relational dynamics.

Activity: Role-play: One participant as therapist explains orgasm-focused intervention to a “client”; then switch roles.


(10 min) — Short Break


(30 min) — Segment 3: Genito-Pelvic Pain / Penetration Disorder (GPPPD)

Teaching content:

Stepwise treatment: education, relaxation, dilator therapy, CBT for anxiety, physiotherapy for pelvic floor dysfunction.

Addressing trauma history and shame.

Activity: Small group work — each group develops a multidisciplinary treatment pathway for a client with vaginismus, then presents to class.


(30 min) — Segment 4: Integrative & Multidisciplinary Approaches

Teaching content:

Collaboration with gynaecology, endocrinology, physiotherapy, and sexual health.

Importance of partner involvement and couple-based therapy.

Cultural and relational considerations in treatment.

Guided discussion: Barriers to integration in clinical practice — how can therapists advocate for joined-up care?


(25 min) — Segment 5: Case Study Application

Learners rotate through 3 case vignettes (low desire, orgasmic disorder, GPPPD).

For each:

Identify treatment goals.

Suggest stepwise treatment plan (psychological, behavioural, medical).

Consider relational and cultural context.

Debrief as a large group.


(10 min) — Wrap-Up & Reflection


Recap of key treatment strategies.

Q&A.

Learners share one new approach they will integrate into their clinical practice.

This workshop offers 3 Live Interactive Continuing Education Credits

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 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.
  • The American Psychological Association approves the School of Sex Therapy to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The School of Sex Therapy maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
    The School of Sex Therapy is an approved continued education provider for the International Association of Psychosexual Therapists. The School of Sex Therapy maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
  • 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.
  • Therapist Express 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 creative arts therapists. #CAT-0122.
  • Therapist Express 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-0129.
  • Therapist Express 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 mental health counselors. #MHC-0325.
  • Therapist Express 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-0275.
  • Therapist Express 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-0129.
  • Therapist Express 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 mental health counselors. #MHC-0325.
  • Therapist Express 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-0774.
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.