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Recreating The Culture In The Sex Therapy Room: The Power Of Culture! - A Cultural Competence Workshop

Wednesday, February 18th, 2026   9:30 AM EST -11:30 AM EST
Sarah Lebovits
$39.99 Cost For Member: $29.99

This presentation proposes an innovative paradigm shift in sex therapy by emphasizing the essential role of culture in understanding and treating sexual dysfunction. Traditionally, therapy has focused primarily on symptom relief rather than exploring the deeper, subjective, and culturally influenced meanings clients attach to sexuality. Culture, often viewed as a barrier, should instead be seen as a potential resource for healing. Through a tripartite model the presentation highlights how therapists can help clients explore the influence of their cultural systems, find personal meaning in their experiences, and reconstruct empowering narratives about their sexuality.

 

The presentation is structured around a detailed case vignette and how therapists can guide patients through the tripodal model. The presentation concludes that culture should not be dismissed as a source of dysfunction but integrated as a strength within therapy. This culturally inclusive model encourages clinicians to treat patients holistically, addressing biological, psychological, and social dimensions to foster authentic, long-term well-being rather than temporary symptom relief.

About the Presenter

Sarah Lebovits, LCSW, is a psychotherapist and educator specializing in intimacy, sexual health, and relationship dynamics. She teaches psychology and social work at Yeshiva University and the University of Mount Saint Vincent. Sarah focuses on the intersectionality of culture, religion, and sexuality, integrating EMDR, DBT, and motivational interviewing to address desire discrepancies, sexual anxiety, and trauma. Guided by her belief that life is not about surviving but about thriving, she fosters open, culturally sensitive conversations that empower clients toward healing and growth.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Identify how cultural and religious values influence clients’ beliefs, emotions, and behaviors around sexuality and intimacy within the therapeutic context.
  2. Apply culturally attuned approaches to enhance sensitivity and effectiveness in sex therapy with religious clients.
  3. Develop strategies and interventions to bridge culture and sexuality in therapy, fostering safety, respect, and empowerment for clients from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Agenda:

1 Hour

Welcome & Opening Discussion

Understanding Culture in the Therapy Room

Case Study

Theoretical Integration: Three Approaches

1 Hour

Activity: Bridging Culture and Sexuality

Reflection, Q&A, and Closing

  • Group reflection: “How will I bring cultural awareness into my sessions?”

  • Open Q&A

  • Closing remarks

This workshop offers 2 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.
  • NEFESH International, Inc. 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-0116.
  • NEFESH International 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-0046
  • NEFESH International is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for Mental Health Counselor #MHC-0082
  • NEFESH International 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-0048.
  • 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.
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.