< Back to workshops

Sex Therapy with Diverse Cultural and Religious Populations from Around the World

Previously Recorded
Mieke Rivka Sidorsky
$59.99 Cost For Member: $39.99

In the United States, a significant portion of the population, approximately 70-80%, identifies with a religious faith. This diversity is increasingly becoming a hallmark of the American demographic landscape. In the realm of therapy, and particularly in sex therapy, a nuanced understanding of the varied cultural and religious backgrounds that shape clients' worldviews is essential. Such an understanding is crucial for fostering a therapeutic environment that respects and acknowledges these diverse perspectives and for effectively addressing the complex interplay between a client’s family system and their cultural and religious beliefs as they relate to relationships, sexuality, sex, gender, and family dynamics.

This course embarks on an extensive global exploration, dedicating significant focus to Asia and the Middle East. We aim to delve into the rich diversity of norms, customs, practices, and the unique challenges and strengths of working with individuals from various cultural and religious backgrounds. Our journey will include insights into working with East Asians, individuals from the Indian sub-continent, Muslims, Arabs, Jews, Christians, and Mormons.

Participants will have a foundational understanding of these cultures and religions, enabling them to offer culturally sensitive therapy. The course emphasizes the importance of leveraging clients' religious and cultural backgrounds in a strength-based approach to therapy. Additionally, participants will develop skills to adeptly navigate the common challenges that may emerge in the therapeutic process, ensuring a respectful, informed, and effective practice.

 

The School of Sex Therapy is an approved continued education provider for the International Association of Psychosexual Therapists and is responsible for this program and its content

 

Mieke Rivka Sidorsky, AASECT Approved CE Provider #24-0119-MRS (exp. 12/31/2025), is approved by the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT) to offer sex therapy continuing education. These programs meet the requirements of the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT) and are approved for CE credit. These CE credits may be applied toward AASECT certification and renewal of certification.

About the Presenter

Rivka Sidorsky, LCSW-C, CST is an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist, an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist Supervisor, a licensed clinical social worker, a Board Certified Supervisor, a published author, a Harvard University research fellowship recipient, and an experienced lecturer. She is the owner and director of a sex therapy group psychotherapy practice in Silver Spring, Maryland. She is a professional member of the American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors, and Therapists, the International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health, and the International Society for Sexual Medicine. She was personally mentored and was trained in sexual dysfunction and sex therapy from internationally renowned Dr. Laura Berman, Oprah’s relationship and sex expert, at the Berman Center in Chicago. In addition to her private practice, she speaks widely on pelvic pain disorders, female sexual dysfunction, sex therapy, and intimacy at professional conferences, universities, hospitals, and for community events. She lives in Silver Spring with her husband and their four children. For more information and for appointments, www.rivkasidorsky.com

Learning Objectives:

  1. Analyze and discuss case studies or scenarios to illustrate an understanding of the impact of cultural and religious norms, customs, and values on clients views regarding relationships, sexuality, sex, gender, and family systems.
  2. Demonstrate the ability to design and apply treatment plans that leverage cultural and religious strengths, evidenced through the development of case-specific strategies in sex therapy.
  3. Exhibit competence in formulating and justifying therapeutic strategies aimed at navigating cultural and religious challenges in sex therapy, as shown through case study analysis and treatment planning exercises.

Agenda:

  1. Introduction and Course Overview

    • Time: 15 minutes
    • Description: Briefly introduce the course objectives, the importance of cultural and religious sensitivity in sex therapy, and an overview of the demographic changes in America.

  2. Understanding Cultural and Religious Diversity

    • Time: 30 minutes
    • Description: Discuss the significance of cultural and religious identity in therapy, with an emphasis on the American context. Overview of the major religions and cultures to be explored, focusing on their impact on relationships, sexuality, and family systems.

  3. Session 1: East Asian Perspectives

    • Time: 30 minutes
    • Description: Explore norms, customs, and therapeutic considerations when working with clients from East Asian backgrounds.

  4. Session 2: Indian Sub-Continent Cultures

    • Time: 30 minutes
    • Description: Dive into the diverse cultural and religious landscapes of the Indian sub-continent and their implications for sex therapy.

  5. Break

    • Time: 10 minutes

  6. Session 3: Middle Eastern and Islamic Insights

    • Time: 30 minutes
    • Description: Examine the unique challenges and strengths in therapy with clients who are Muslims or from Arab cultures, focusing on relationship, sexuality, and gender norms.

  7. Session 4: Jewish, Christian, and Mormon Considerations

    • Time: 35 minutes
    • Description: Analyze the distinct cultural and religious nuances of working with Jewish, Christian, and Mormon clients in sex therapy, including case studies.

  8. Applying Cultural Sensitivity in Practice

    • Time: 20 minutes
    • Description: Strategies for integrating a culturally-sensitive, strength-based approach in sex therapy, with examples and best practices.

  9. Q&A and Wrap-Up

    • Time: 15 minutes
    • Description: Open floor for participant questions, course review, and discussions on implementing learned skills in 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
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.