< Back to workshops

From Antiquity to Modernity: A History of Psychosexual Therapy

Previously Recorded
Dr. Caleb Jacobson, PsyD, PhD
$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

From Antiquity to Modernity: A History of Psychosexual Therapy examines how ideas about sex, sexuality, and treatment have been shaped over time by culture, philosophy, medicine, and morality. The course traces the field’s roots from ancient Greek and Roman theories of bodily balance and virtue, through the influence of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam in moralizing and regulating desire, and into the early modern and Victorian eras of reform, regulation, and scientific inquiry. Students will also engage with global perspectives, exploring non-Western understandings of sexuality that complicate and challenge Eurocentric models. By situating psychosexual therapy within its broader historical context, the course equips learners with a deeper appreciation of the cultural legacies that continue to shape contemporary approaches to sexual health and clinical practice.

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

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. Describe the historical foundations of psychosexual thought from ancient Greek and Roman theories to non-Western traditions and explain their influence on early ideas of sexual health.
  2. Summarize the contributions of early sexologists and psychoanalysts, including Ellis, Hirschfeld, Krafft-Ebing, and Freud, and evaluate their influence on psychosexual theory and practice.
  3. Explain the significance of mid-20th-century models such as Kinsey’s research, Masters and Johnson’s behavioral methods, and Kaplan’s triphasic model in shaping modern sex therapy.

Agenda:

Hour 1: Ancient and Religious Foundations

  • Lecture & Discussion (30 min):

    • Ancient Greek and Roman concepts of bodily balance, virtue, and humoral theories

    • Non-Western frameworks: Ayurvedic and Taoist understandings of sexuality

  • Interactive Activity (15 min):

    • Small-group exercise: Compare how different cultural traditions linked sexuality to health and morality

  • Debrief (15 min):

    • Whole-class discussion on similarities/differences across traditions

Hour 2: Religion, Early Modernity, and the Rise of Sexology

  • Lecture (25 min):

    • Influence of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam in moralizing and regulating desire

    • Early modern developments: Protestant reform, bourgeois norms, medical regulation (Onania)

  • Case Illustration (15 min):

    • Short primary text excerpts (e.g., Krafft-Ebing, Ellis, Hirschfeld)

  • Group Activity (20 min):

    • Students analyze how one early sexologist either pathologized or normalized sexual behavior

Hour 3: From Psychoanalysis to Contemporary Sex Therapy

  • Lecture (25 min):

    • Freud’s psychosexual theories, repression, transference, and case studies (e.g., Dora)

    • Mid-20th-century models: Kinsey’s research, Masters & Johnson’s behavioral protocols, Kaplan’s triphasic model

    • Later contributions: Money’s gender theories, Bancroft & Janssen’s Dual Control Model, Basson’s female response model

  • Interactive Discussion (20 min):

    • Feminist and LGBTQ+ critiques—How did they reshape psychosexual therapy?

  • Wrap-Up & Reflection (15 min):

    • Class discussion: Which historical frameworks continue to influence sex therapy today?

    • Instructor ties past models to present-day practice

This workshop offers 3 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.
  • 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.