2026 NEFESH Summer Online Conference
July 14-15, 2026 · Online Event
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Disability and Medical Conditions in Sex Therapy

Previously Recorded
Rivka Sidorsky, LCSW-C, CST,C-PST
$30.00 USD

Sex can pose an additional challenge to those who are differently-abled or who are partnered with those who are differently-abled. This course will examine some of the ways to additional challenges these clients experience and helps therapists feel comfortable navigating sexual difficulties with those who may have limitations in ability or who are experiencing medical conditions.

About the Presenter

Rivka is an IAPST Certified Psychosexual Therapist, an IAPST Certified Psychosexual Supervisor, an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist, an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist 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 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, Rivka is an invited guest to train doctors, nurses, faculty, fellow therapists, and students at The University of Maryland. She is a Faculty Lecturer at The Integrative Sex Therapy Institute on topics which include 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. Participants will be able to describe 3 psychological, emotional, or inter-personal challenges of clients who are differently-abled or experiencing a medical condition or who are partnered with someone who is differently-abled or experiencing a medical condition.
  2. Participants will be able to demonstrate 3 clinical/therapeutic interventions to help those experiencing medical conditions or disabilities or those who are partnered with someone who is experiencing medical conditions or disabilities to increase satisfaction with their sexual life.

Agenda:

Module 1 — Sexuality, Disability, and Medical Conditions

5 minutes

  • Sexuality as an important component of health, identity, relationships, and quality of life
  • Common assumptions and barriers affecting clients with disabilities or medical conditions
  • The therapist’s role in providing respectful, accessible, and non-assumptive care

Module 2 — Physical and Medical Influences on Sexual Functioning

10 minutes

  • How pain, fatigue, mobility limitations, sensory changes, chronic illness, surgery, and medications may affect sexuality
  • Potential effects on desire, arousal, orgasm, comfort, and sexual satisfaction
  • Recognizing when medical consultation or interdisciplinary referral may be appropriate

Module 3 — Psychological, Emotional, and Relational Considerations

10 minutes

  • Body image, self-esteem, grief, anxiety, stigma, and changes in sexual identity
  • Effects on partners and couple relationships
  • Communication, caregiving dynamics, privacy, autonomy, and consent

Module 4 — Inclusive Clinical Assessment

10 minutes

  • Using respectful, person-centered language when discussing sexuality and disability
  • Assessing sexual concerns, relationship needs, physical limitations, and treatment goals
  • Identifying environmental, accessibility, cultural, and relational factors affecting sexual wellbeing
  • Avoiding assumptions about clients’ sexual interests, abilities, or relationship status

Module 5 — Clinical Interventions and Adaptations

10 minutes

  • Helping clients expand their understanding of intimacy, pleasure, and sexual expression
  • Communication and intimacy-building interventions for individuals and couples
  • Adapting activities to accommodate pain, fatigue, mobility, or sensory limitations
  • Collaborating with medical providers, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and other professionals when appropriate

Module 6 — Case Application and Clinical Integration

5 minutes

  • Application of assessment and intervention strategies to clinical examples
  • Developing an individualized and strengths-based treatment approach
  • Review of key clinical considerations

Required Post-Test

8 minutes

Course Evaluation and Completion

2 minutes

AASECT Knowledge Areas

This course addresses developmental sexuality; intimacy skills; sexual and reproductive anatomy; health and medical factors; the range of sexual functioning and behavior; pleasure-enhancement skills; and learning theory and its application.

May be applied toward applicable Sex Therapy Training competencies ST1, ST2, ST3, ST4, ST5, ST6, and ST7, subject to the requirements and approval of the relevant certification program.

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.
  • 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: E, F, H, I. May be used for Sex Therapy Area ST2.
  • 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 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.