About the Presenter

Rivka 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 a professional member of the American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors, and Therapists, the International Society for the Study of Women's Sexual Health, the International Society for Sexual Medicine, and the International Association of Psychosexual Therapists. She has been working with women and couples since 2007. 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. After her time at the Berman Center, she completed seven years of post-graduate training in female sexual dysfunction. Additionally, she worked at the Center for Intimacy After Cancer Therapy, offering her services to counsel women after surviving breast cancer. She served for three years as a Member of the Board of Directors for In Shifra's Arms, a non-profit organization providing counseling and referrals for women with unplanned pregnancies. In addition to her private practice, Rivka is a writer, researcher, and public speaker. She , female function and dysfunction, and on intimacy after cancer at professional conferences, universities, hospitals, and for community events. She is an invited guest to train doctors, nurses, faculty, fellow therapists, and students at the University of Maryland Health Center, The University of Maryland School of Public Health Graduate Program in Marriage in Family Therapy, and at a number of professional conferences such as the National Association of Social Work Clinical Conference. She is a Faculty Lecturer at The Integrative Sex Therapy Institute on topics which include female sexual dysfunction, sexual pain, and performing sex therapy with diverse religions and cultures. She received her Master's Degree in Social Work from the University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration with her Bachelor's Degree in Anthropology from Brandeis University. She has lived in many countries around the world, particularly in Asia and the Middle East and feels confident in her ability to provide culturally-sensitive therapy to those of different religions and cultures.