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Issues in Individual Sex Therapy

Tuesday, December 8th, 2026   12:00 PM EST -3:00 PM EST
Dr. Stephen W. Simpson, 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

Sex therapy is often practiced in conjoint/couples therapy, but many patients seek individual treatment for sexual problems. This three-hour workshop examines individual sex therapy -- its rationale, advantages, and limits. Participants will learn how to differentiate problems that can be effectively addressed in one-to-one treatment from those that require a partner’s involvement. Using case vignettes and current research, the course will explore assessment of desire and arousal disorders, performance anxiety, compulsive sexual behavior, sexual shame, religious/ethical conflicts, and the psychological sequelae of sexual trauma. We will also examine the practical barriers to working individually on relationally embedded interventions (e.g., sensate focus, graduated exposure to partnered touch, or co-constructed intimacy rituals) and discuss when referral or adjunctive couple therapy is warranted.

The course integrates symptom-focused psychosexual treatment with therapy for common comorbid issues such as trauma, anxiety, mood disorders, attachment disorders, and physical health.  The course also addresses faith/spirituality, transference/countertransference, and the times when “sex therapy is just therapy.” Participants will leave with conceptual models, treatment frameworks, and criteria for pivoting toward couple work or collaborative referrals.

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

About the Presenter

Stephen W. Simpson, PhD is a clinical psychologist and full professor at Fuller Theological Seminary’s School of Psychology & Marriage and Family Therapy. For more than twenty-five years he has taught, supervised, and practiced psychotherapy with a focus on sexuality, relationships, and meaning-making. Dr. Simpson is the author of Single Sex Stories and What Wives Wish Their Husbands Knew About Sex, and the lead editor of Eros & Psyche: Existential Perspectives on Sexuality.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Identify sexual concerns that can be effectively treated in individual therapy (e.g., sexual shame, performance anxiety, compulsivity).
  2. Recognize interventions that are difficult or inappropriate without partner involvement (e.g., sensate focus, couple communication exercises).
  3. Be able to identify salient factors related to diversity, faith, and existential issues that intersect with sexual problems and disorders.
  4. Identify and manage transference and countertransference that can occur in individual sex therapy.

Agenda:

Time

Topic

0:00 – 0:15

Welcome, course overview, participant introductions and experience check-in

0:15 – 0:45

Foundations: contemporary models of sexual health & dysfunction; clarifying when individual work is viable vs. when partner participation is essential

0:45 – 1:30

Individual treatment focus: desire and arousal disorders, performance anxiety, sexual shame, compulsive behavior, trauma, and values/faith conflicts

1:30 – 1:40

Break

1:40 – 2:20

Techniques and limits: using psychoeducation, mindfulness, cognitive/behavioral methods, and self-directed exercises; recognizing when relational interventions (e.g., sensate focus, partner feedback) can’t be done alone

2:20 – 2:50

Relational–analytic stance: curiosity and humility with sexual material, disclosure decisions, and working with transference/countertransference in individual sex therapy

2:50 – 3:00

Integrating decision points: when to pivot to couple therapy or collaborate with other professionals; wrap-up and Q&A

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.