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Establishing Your Clinical Identity: Values, Practice, and the Self of the Therapist in Sex Therapy - Part 2

Self Study
Dr. Caleb Jacobson, PsyD, PhD
$39.99

Reflecting on Clinical Presence and Public Perception

(Please read the article by scrolling down to the section labeled 'View this webinar’s attachments/handouts.' The assignment is listed as link.)

Reading:
Sever, Z., & Vowels, L. M. (2023). Beliefs and Attitudes Held Toward Sex Therapy and Sex Therapists. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 52(6), 1729–1741.

Purpose:
This reflective assignment encourages clinicians to analyze how their professional demeanor both in-person and online affects public understanding of sex therapy. Building on Sever & Vowels’ findings that popular media, social stigma, and limited knowledge shape public attitudes, participants will consider their own visibility and representation as sex therapists.

Instructions:
After reading the article in full, respond to three or four reflective prompts (approximately 250–300 words each). Your responses should draw from the article’s findings and your own clinical perspective.

Writing Prompts:

  1. Perception and Representation:
    How does the way you present yourself as a clinician, through your tone, appearance, language, or online presence, shape the way others perceive sex therapy as a profession?

  2. Digital Image and Stereotypes:
    Sever & Vowels (2023) found that public attitudes toward sex therapists are often influenced by media portrayals. How might the images, captions, or topics you post on social media unintentionally reinforce or challenge common stereotypes about sex therapists?

  3. Stigma and Credibility:
    Reflect on how societal discomfort or stigma around sexuality may influence how patients, colleagues, or the public view your role. How can your professional demeanor help reduce stigma while maintaining authenticity?

  4. Education and Advocacy:
    Considering the article’s call for increased public education about sex therapy, what steps can you take (online or offline) to promote accurate understanding of the field without compromising clinical boundaries?

Submission Guidelines:

  • Write 750–1,000 words total.

  • Cite the article and any other sources in APA 7th edition format.

  • Emphasis should be placed on self-awareness, professionalism, and ethical presentation.

About the Presenter

Caleb Jacobson is an internationally recognized clinical psychologist, sex therapist, and Bible scholar. He holds a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) degree in clinical psychology and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Hebrew Bible, biblical archaeology, and psychological exegesis. In his clinical practice, Dr. Jacobson specializes in working with religious and conservative patients, treating male sexual dysfunction, and addressing rare and problematic sexual issues. A pioneer in the integration of sex therapy and religion, he is the author of the award-winning Sex Therapy with Religious Patients: Working with Jewish, Christian, and Muslim Communities (2024) and the editor of The Routledge International Handbook of Sex Therapy and Religion (2025). Dr. Jacobson currently serves as president of both the School of Sex Therapy and the International Association of Psychosexual Therapists, where he leads initiatives in education, research, and clinical advancement within the field.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Identify personal values, beliefs, and biases that influence their approach to clinical practice and decision-making.
  2. Evaluate how professional presentation—both in-person and online—communicates therapeutic stance, credibility, and boundaries.
  3. Develop strategies to align clinical setting, modality, and clientele with one’s professional philosophy and ethical framework.
  4. Apply reflective and experiential tools (e.g., the River Exercise and Self-of-the-Therapist Map) to enhance self-awareness and clinical authenticity.
  5. Implement sustainable self-care and boundary-setting practices that support professional growth and emotional resilience.

These workshops offer 2 Continuing Education Credits
This webinar is recorded and will not grant live 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.
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.