< Back to workshops

The Neurology of Sex: Understanding the Brain’s Role in Desire, Arousal, Orgasm, Love, Lust, and Attachment - Part 2

Self Study
Rivka Sidorsky
$39.99

This advanced training brings together findings from neuroscience, clinical sex therapy, and mindfulness-based interventions to explore the complex interplay between the brain, body, and sexual experience. Recent functional MRI research has revealed that orgasm involves simultaneous activation of multiple brain regions—including the nucleus accumbens, periaqueductal gray, anterior cingulate cortex, and cerebellum, highlighting the neurological overlap between pleasure, craving, and analgesia. These discoveries illuminate how sexual pleasure is both a neurochemical and psychological event, grounded in the synchronization of euphoria and desire.

Parallel to this, emerging therapeutic frameworks challenge traditional goal-oriented sex therapy by emphasizing autonomy, embodied awareness, and the mind–body connection. Mindfulness-based approaches for low desire and sexual pain disorders such as vaginismus and provoked vestibulodynia help clients cultivate nonjudgmental awareness, reduce anxiety-driven muscular contraction, and rediscover agency within their sexual experiences.

Participants will gain a deeper understanding of how brain-based mechanisms of pleasure and pain intersect with the emotional and relational dynamics of sexual functioning. The session integrates empirical findings with clinical strategies to promote healing, self-regulation, and a compassionate reconnection to pleasure in both individual and couples therapy.

About the Presenter

Rivka Sidorsky is an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist, an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist Supervisor, an IAPST Certified Psychosexual Therapist, an IAPST Certified Psychosexual Supervisor, a licensed clinical social worker, a Social Work Board Certified Supervisor, a Faculty Lecturer, a published author, a Harvard University research fellowship recipient, and an experienced lecturer. She is the owner and director of a group psychotherapy practice in Silver Spring, Maryland. She teaches sex therapy on topics such as female sexual dysfunction, sexual pain, vaginismus, sexual aversion, couples sexual issues, and performing sex therapy with diverse religions and cultures. She lives in Silver Spring with her husband and their five children.

Learning Objectives:

  1. 1. Identify major brain regions and neurochemical systems involved in sexual desire, arousal, and orgasm.
  2. 2. Differentiate the neurological correlates of lust, attraction, and attachment.
  3. 3. Describe how neural and hormonal processes contribute to the development and maintenance of romantic and sexual relationships.

These workshops offer 2 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.
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.