29th Annual Conference
Thursday, January 7 - Sunday, January 10, 2027
Complimentary Pre-Conference: Wednesday, January 6, 2027
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Who Decides What's Normal? History, Power, and the Evolution of Sex Therapy and Sex Education

Wednesday, December 2nd, 2026   10:00 AM EST -1:00 PM EST
Judy Lebovits, LCSW, SIFI
$59.99 USD

This webinar examines the historical evolution of sex therapy and sex education, tracing the development of the field from its early roots in medicine, psychiatry, psychoanalysis, and public health to contemporary models grounded in scientific inquiry, cultural humility, and sexual rights. Participants will explore the contributions of influential theorists, researchers, educators, and clinicians whose work shaped modern understandings of sexuality, while critically examining the social, political, religious, and legal forces that have influenced both professional practice and public attitudes toward sexual health. The course will highlight key historical milestones, paradigm shifts, and controversies that have informed the development of sex therapy and sexuality education across diverse populations and contexts.

Designed for experienced clinicians, this presentation will foster a critical understanding of how historical perspectives continue to influence contemporary assessment, treatment, education, and advocacy efforts. Participants will examine the legacy of pathologizing frameworks, the emergence of sex-positive and inclusive approaches, and the ongoing evolution of professional standards related to gender, sexual orientation, relationships, and sexual well-being. By situating current clinical practices within their broader historical context, attendees will strengthen their ability to engage in ethical, culturally responsive, and evidence-informed work with individuals, couples, and communities.

About the Presenter

Judy Lebovits, LCSW, SIFI is a psychotherapist, clinical supervisor, professor, and researcher specializing in trauma-informed care, sexuality, and culturally responsive mental health treatment. She teaches graduate-level social work courses at the Yeshiva University and has extensive experience working with individuals and couples navigating intimacy challenges, anxiety, trauma, grief, addictions, eating disorders, reproductive and perinatal mental health, and relationship concerns. Judy is trained in multiple therapeutic modalities including EMDR, psychodynamic therapy, DBT, and motivational interviewing, and is passionate about creating culturally safe spaces where difficult and deeply personal conversations can be explored with compassion and respect.

Judy’s clinical, academic, and research work focuses on the intersection of sexuality, religion, culture, and mental health. She is the author of a chapter in the The Routledge International Handbook of Sex Therapy and Religion examining unconsummated marriages within the Jewish community and is currently advancing research on sexuality and religious identity. As an educator and speaker, Judy is known for bringing warmth, depth, and nuance to conversations surrounding sex therapy, sex education, cultural competency, and human connection.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Summarize key historical developments in sex therapy and sex education, including the contributions of influential researchers, clinicians, and social movements
  2. Analyze the impact of historical theories, cultural attitudes, and diagnostic frameworks on contemporary understandings of sexuality and sexual health.
  3. Apply historical insights to the critical evaluation of current clinical practices, ethical considerations, and culturally responsive approaches in sex therapy and sexuality education.

Agenda:

10:00–10:10 AM | Welcome, Framing, and Learning Objectives

  • Introduction to the historical and clinical scope of the course
  • Why history matters in contemporary sex therapy and sex education
  • Opening reflection: How do historical ideas about sexuality show up in clinical practice today?

10:10–10:40 AM | Before Sex Therapy: Historical Foundations of Sexuality

  • Religious, moral, medical, and cultural constructions of sexuality
  • Early conceptualizations of sexual desire, pleasure, gender, and sexual behavior
  • The emergence of sexology as a distinct area of study
  • Early pioneers, including Freud, Havelock Ellis, and other foundational theorists
  • The development of concepts of "normal" and "deviant" sexuality

10:40–11:10 AM | The Birth of Sexology and the Scientific Study of Sexuality

  • The transition from moral frameworks to scientific approaches to sexuality
  • Alfred Kinsey and the impact of the Kinsey Reports
  • Masters and Johnson and the development of modern sex therapy
  • Helen Singer Kaplan and the evolution of models of sexual response and treatment
  • How research changed—and sometimes challenged—clinical understandings of sexuality

11:10–11:25 AM | Guided Discussion: Who Defines "Normal"?

  • How have medical, cultural, religious, and social institutions defined sexual normality?
  • Historical examples of behaviors and identities that were once pathologized
  • Examination of the relationship between scientific authority, social values, and clinical practice
  • Reflection on how contemporary clinicians determine what is considered healthy, problematic, or dysfunctional

11:25–11:35 AM | Break

11:35–12:00 PM | Sex Education, Sexual Politics, and Social Change

  • The historical development of formal sex education
  • The influence of public health, religion, politics, and social movements
  • Abstinence-based, comprehensive, and harm-reduction approaches
  • The sexual revolution and changing cultural narratives surrounding pleasure, relationships, and sexual autonomy
  • The continuing tension between education, morality, risk, and sexual agency

12:00–12:25 PM | Expanding the Field: Power, Diversity, and Pathologization

  • Historical treatment of homosexuality and gender diversity within medicine and mental health
  • Feminist critiques and their influence on sex therapy
  • LGBTQ+ advocacy and the movement toward affirmative practice
  • Intersectionality, culture, religion, race, gender, and relationship structures
  • The shift from pathology-based frameworks toward culturally responsive and affirmative approaches

12:25–12:45 PM | Clinical Application: Bringing History Into the Therapy Room

  • Case vignette examining a contemporary sexual concern through a historical lens
  • Identifying implicit assumptions about "normal" sexuality within assessment and treatment
  • Exploring how clinicians' own cultural and professional frameworks may influence conceptualization
  • Guided discussion: What has changed, what has not, and where might we still carry the legacy of earlier models?

12:45–12:55 PM | Contemporary Sex Therapy: Where the Field Is Going

  • Current developments in sex therapy and sexuality education
  • Emerging perspectives on sexual diversity, relationships, technology, and sexual well-being
  • Ethical considerations for contemporary clinicians
  • Continuing tensions and unanswered questions within the field

12:55–1:00 PM | Synthesis, Key Takeaways, and Closing

  • Review of major historical shifts and their clinical implications
  • Final reflection: How should understanding the history of sexuality change the way we practice?
  • Questions and closing discussion

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.
  • 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.