2026 NEFESH Summer Online Conference
July 14-15, 2026 · Online Event
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The Neuropsychology of Sex: Understanding the Brain’s Role in Desire, Arousal, Orgasm, Love, Lust, and Attachment

Thursday, September 10th, 2026   10:00 AM EDT -1:00 PM EDT
Rivka Sidorsky, LCSW-C, CST,C-PST
$59.99 USD

This course provides an overview of the neurological and neurochemical foundations of human sexual behavior. Participants will explore the brain mechanisms that underlie sexual desire, arousal, infatuation, orgasm, love, lust, and long-term attachment. Emphasis will be placed on the interaction of limbic, cortical, and reward system structures, as well as the roles of key neurotransmitters and hormones such as dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin, and testosterone. The course integrates current findings from neuroscience and psychobiology to enhance clinicians’ understanding of how brain-based processes influence sexual functioning, relational bonding, and therapeutic outcomes.

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.

Agenda:

Module 1 — Introduction and Course Overview

10 minutes

  • Welcome and review of learning objectives
  • Overview of neuroscience and its relevance to sexual behavior, sexual functioning, and relationships

Module 2 — Neurobiology of Sexual Desire and Arousal

35 minutes

  • Major brain regions involved in sexual motivation, including the hypothalamus, limbic system, and cerebral cortex
  • Roles of neurotransmitters and hormones, including dopamine, serotonin, and testosterone
  • Clinical implications for understanding concerns related to sexual desire and arousal

Module 3 — Lust, Infatuation, and Romantic Attraction

30 minutes

  • Differences between the neural processes associated with lust and romantic attraction
  • Neurochemical pathways involved in infatuation and “falling in love”
  • How attachment experiences and reward systems may influence attraction and partner selection

Module 4 — Clinical Case Discussion

15 minutes

  • Application of neuropsychological concepts to a clinical case
  • Identification of biological, psychological, and relational factors affecting sexual desire and attraction
  • Review of clinical implications and possible treatment considerations

Optional Break

10 minutes — not included in instructional time

Module 5 — Orgasm and Reward Pathways

35 minutes

  • Neurological mechanisms involved in orgasm
  • Interactions among dopamine, oxytocin, and the brain’s reward system
  • Clinical relevance for sexual dysfunction, pleasure concerns, and orgasm-related difficulties

Module 6 — Love, Attachment, and Clinical Applications

30 minutes

  • Neural foundations of long-term attachment and pair bonding
  • Roles of oxytocin, vasopressin, and stress-regulation systems
  • Application of neuroscience concepts to clinical assessment and therapeutic interventions

Module 7 — Case Application and Integration

15 minutes

  • Application of attachment, reward, and neurochemical concepts to a second clinical case
  • Implications for clinical work with individuals and couples
  • Review of key concepts and clinical takeaways

 

This workshop offers 3 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.
  • This program meets the requirements for the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists. These CE credits may be applied toward AASECT certification and renewal of certification. AASECT Core Knowledge Areas: B, E, G, H, I, N. May be used for Sex Therapy Area ST1.
  • 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.
  • 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 marriage and family therapists #MFT-0129.
  • 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 mental health counselors. #MHC-0325.
  • Therapist Express 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-0275.
  • 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 marriage and family therapists #MFT-0129.
  • 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 mental health counselors. #MHC-0325.
  • Therapist Express 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-0774.
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.