2026 NEFESH Summer Online Conference
July 14-15, 2026 · Online Event
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Motherhood and Sexuality: Finding Balance and Integration

Wednesday, December 16th, 2026   11:00 AM EST -12:00 PM EST
Rivka Sidorsky, LCSW-C, CST,C-PST
$30.00 USD

Motherhood brings profound physical, emotional, and relational changes that can impact sexual desire, satisfaction, and identity. This course explores the challenges and opportunities for integrating sexuality into the postpartum and parenting experience. 

Participants will examine factors such as body image, fatigue, hormonal changes, and relational dynamics, and learn strategies to support mothers in reconnecting with their sexual selves. Through case examples and practical interventions, therapists will gain tools to help clients cultivate balance, enhance intimacy, and foster a healthy integration of motherhood and sexuality.

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. Identify at least three physical, psychological, and relational factors that may influence sexual desire and satisfaction during motherhood.
  2. Apply at least three clinical interventions to help mothers strengthen intimacy, reconnect with their sexual identities, and integrate sexuality into their parenting experience.

Agenda:

11:00–11:05 AM — Introduction: Motherhood and Sexual Identity

  • Overview of the relationship between motherhood, sexuality, and personal identity
  • Common assumptions and expectations surrounding maternal sexuality

11:05–11:15 AM — Physical and Hormonal Influences

  • Postpartum and parenting-related hormonal changes
  • Physical recovery, sleep deprivation, fatigue, and their effects on sexual desire and satisfaction

11:15–11:25 AM — Body Image and Sexual Self-Concept

  • Changes in body image during postpartum and parenting stages
  • The impact of self-esteem, cultural expectations, and maternal identity on sexual wellbeing

11:25–11:35 AM — Emotional and Psychological Factors

  • Mental load, stress, anxiety, and competing caregiving demands
  • Understanding changes in desire without pathologizing the mother’s experience

11:35–11:45 AM — Relationship and Intimacy Dynamics

  • Changes in partner roles and relationship expectations after becoming parents
  • Communication, emotional connection, resentment, and differences in sexual desire

11:45–11:55 AM — Clinical Interventions and Case Applications

  • Strategies for helping mothers reconnect with their sexual identities
  • Communication and intimacy-building interventions
  • Case examples illustrating common clinical challenges and treatment approaches

11:55 AM–12:00 PM — Integration, Questions, and Key Takeaways

  • Applying the biopsychosocial framework in clinical practice
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This workshop offers 1 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: 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 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
  • 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: . May be used for Sex Therapy Area .
  • 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.