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Mood, Meds, and the Missing Spark: A Neurochemical Perspective

Previously Recorded
Chris Wilhoite, LMFT-S
$24.99

This class provides IAPST credits which are eligible for credits toward Certification as a Sex Therapist.  See iapst.org/certification

Sexual dysfunction is an often-cited concern when clients are faced with taking medications. Sexual dysfunction is one of the most-distressing side effects and is the foundation of client resistance and compliance when using medications. One common concern associated with the use of SSRI is Post-SSRI sexual dysfunction (Balla, Nguyen & Hellstrom, 2018). Sexual side effects are additionally associated with clients experiencing a poor quality of life and a negative attitude towards therapy, (Bella & Shamloul, 2013). This class attempts to give clinicians a better understanding of the biology of medications that impact sexual functioning, the psychological impact of taking medications, and the social stigma and mixed messaging around the use of medication, especially psychotropics. This paper will additionally give clinicians a basic understanding of the mechanisms of how medications work, commonly-prescribed medications that have sexual side effects, and the role of the clinician in recognizing problems and explaining medications to clients. This paper also explores the ethical limits of non-prescribing clinicians and how to co-ordinate care with prescribing providers. The primary medications that will be explored are SSRI, SNRI, anti-psychotics, ADHD medications, and often-used, off-label medications used in treating mental health symptoms and the sexual side effects of those medications. A brief overview of over-the-counter medications, statins and blood pressure medications, and the potential sexual side effects will be explored.

About the Presenter

Chris is an extensively trained couples counselor, Certified Psychosexual Therapist with the International Association of Psychosexual Therapists, an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist, and an AAMFT Approved Supervisor in training. She presented her thesis, “The role of body image and sexual shame in women’s sexual dysfunction,” at the 2024 IAPST International Symposium on Sex Therapy.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Describe how sex therapists can interface with clients around sexual side effects of SSRIs.
  2. Identify brain anatomy and neurochemistry and pathways affected by SSRIs.
  3. Describe how non-prescribers can assist clients with referrals to their prescriber.

Agenda:

Define course purpose and relevance with non-prescribing clinicians.

How sex therapists can interface with clients about psychotropic medications.

Discuss neurochemistry and anatomy of brain.

How SSRIs work.

Taking a sex history.

Potential sexual side effects of SSRIs.

Helping the client communicate sexual problems with their prescriber.




This workshop offers 1 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: introductory
Level of Clinician: beginner
  • 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.
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.