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Medical and Pharmacologic Management of Sexual Issues

Monday, November 16th, 2026   10:00 AM EST -1:00 PM EST
Micah Engel, DNP, NP-P, PMHNP-BC
$59.99 USD

This 3-hour course provides a comprehensive overview of male and female sexual dysfunctions and paraphilic disorders, with a focus on evidence-based medical, psychotherapeutic, and psychopharmacologic treatment approaches. Participants will explore the biological, psychological, relational, and medication-related contributors to sexual dysfunction, including erectile disorder, premature ejaculation, hypoactive sexual desire disorders, female orgasmic disorder, genito-pelvic pain/penetration disorder, and substance- or medication-induced sexual dysfunction. In addition, the training will address one of the most clinically challenging aspects of psychiatric treatment: helping clients make informed decisions about starting psychiatric medications despite stigma, fear, and concerns regarding sexual side effects. Participants will learn practical strategies providers can use to address sexual side effects, as well as interventions clinicians can use to reduce shame, challenge myths surrounding psychiatric medications and sexual functioning, improve medication adherence, support healthy sexual functioning while on medication, and foster collaborative, patient-centered treatment planning through psychoeducation, psychotherapy, and pharmacologic interventions.

About the Presenter

Dr. Engel is a board-certified Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner who earned his Master of Science degree from NYU and his Doctorate from Touro University. He has extensive experience providing psychiatric care to high-risk clients at Four Winds Hospital and Mosaic Mental Health. Dr. Engel offers comprehensive medication management combined with therapeutic support for both children and adults. His areas of expertise include depression, trauma, anxiety, OCD, pediatric ADHD, autism spectrum disorders, and complex psychopharmacology, including psychiatric medication side effect management.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Evaluate evidence-based pharmacologic and psychotherapeutic treatment approaches for male and female sexual dysfunctions, including erectile disorder, premature ejaculation, hypoactive sexual desire disorders, genito-pelvic pain/penetration disorder, and paraphilic disorders
  2. Apply clinical treatment strategies for managing substance- and medication-induced sexual dysfunction, including psychotropic medication adjustments, switching strategies, and pharmacologic augmentation approaches
  3. Identify therapeutic interventions clinicians can use to improve adherence to psychiatric medications, reduce fears and stigma related to sexual side effects, and encourage clients to seek appropriate treatment for primary sexual dysfunctions and related sexual health concerns

Agenda:

I. Introduction & Course Overview (10 minutes)

• Why sexual health is essential in psychiatric and therapeutic care 

• The impact of sexual dysfunction on relationships, self-esteem, quality of life, and treatment adherence 

• Stigma, fear, and misconceptions surrounding psychiatric medications and sexual functioning 

• Course goals and clinical applications 

II. Male Sexual Dysfunctions: Diagnosis & Treatment (30 minutes)

Disorders Covered:

• Erectile Disorder 

• Premature Ejaculation 

• Delayed Ejaculation 

• Male Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder 

Topics:

• DSM-5 diagnostic criteria and clinical presentation 

• Biological, hormonal, psychological, and relational contributors 

• Medical assessment and differential diagnosis 

• PDE-5 inhibitors and pharmacologic treatment options 

• Antidepressant approaches for premature ejaculation 

• Treatment planning and referral considerations 

III. Female Sexual Dysfunctions: Diagnosis & Treatment (30 minutes)

Disorders Covered:

• Female Orgasmic Disorder 

• Female Sexual Interest/Arousal Disorder 

• Genito-Pelvic Pain/Penetration Disorder 

Topics:

• DSM-5 diagnostic criteria and assessment strategies 

• Hormonal, relational, trauma-related, and psychosocial contributors 

• Medication-induced sexual dysfunction in women 

• Hormonal therapies and psychopharmacologic considerations 

• Multidisciplinary treatment approaches 

• Pain management and pelvic floor considerations 

IV. Substance/Medication-Induced Sexual Dysfunction (40 minutes)

Topics:

• SSRI/SNRI sexual side effects 

• Antipsychotic-induced sexual dysfunction 

• Mood stabilizers and sexual functioning 

• Benzodiazepines and sexual side effects 

• Differentiating medication side effects from psychiatric symptoms 

• Evidence-based medication management strategies 

V. BREAK (10 minutes)

VI. Paraphilic Disorders: Assessment & Treatment Considerations (20 minutes)

Disorders Covered:

• Voyeuristic Disorder 

• Exhibitionistic Disorder 

• Frotteuristic Disorder 

• Sexual Masochism Disorder 

• Sexual Sadism Disorder 

• Pedophilic Disorder 

• Fetishistic Disorder 

• Transvestic Disorder 

Topics:

• DSM-5 diagnostic criteria and behavioral presentations 

• Epidemiology, etiology, and risk assessment 

• Ethical and legal considerations 

• CBT and relapse prevention approaches 

• Limited pharmacologic interventions including SSRIs and antiandrogen medications 

• Treatment planning and multidisciplinary management 

VII. Therapist & Clinician Interventions: Improving Outcomes and Sexual Functioning (25 minutes)

Topics:

• Psychoeducation strategies clinicians can use 

• Helping clients maintain healthy sexual functioning while on medication 

• Reducing shame and normalizing conversations about sexual health 

• Couples interventions and communication strategies 

• Challenging myths surrounding psychotropic medications and sexuality 

• Motivational interviewing and adherence-focused interventions 

• Trauma-informed and culturally sensitive approaches 


VIII. Case Discussion, Questions & Answers, and Key Takeaways (15 minutes)

Suggested Cases:

• SSRI-induced anorgasmia 

• Erectile dysfunction in depression 

• Female low desire with trauma history 

• Client refusing antidepressants due to fear of sexual side effects 

Final Discussion:

• Clinical pearls and practice integration 

• Audience questions and consultation discussion 

• Key takeaways and resources for further learning

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.
  • 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.
  • 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.