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Pleasure in Transition: Sexual Wellbeing Through Midlife and Menopause

Friday, December 4th, 2026   1:30 PM EST -3:30 PM EST
Sandra E. Pascual, PhD
$39.99 USD

This webinar will provide therapists and mental health professionals with a clinically relevant understanding of how the menopause transition can affect sexuality, emotional wellbeing, body image, identity, relationships, desire, and pleasure. Using a biopsychosocial, sex-positive, and culturally responsive framework, we will examine common concerns that may emerge in therapy, challenge myths about sexuality and aging, and explore how cultural beliefs, gender expectations, and diverse lived experiences can shape clients’ experiences of menopause and sexual wellbeing.

The second part of the webinar will focus on practical clinical applications for therapists. Participants will learn strategies for initiating conversations about menopause and sexuality, assessing sexual concerns with greater confidence and sensitivity, supporting clients through changes in desire, intimacy, and sexual self-concept, and recognizing when collaboration or referral to other healthcare professionals may be appropriate. The goal is to help therapists integrate conversations about menopause, pleasure, and sexual wellbeing into clinical practice in an inclusive, affirming, and culturally sensitive way.

About the Presenter

Midlife and the menopause transition can bring meaningful changes in sexual desire, pleasure, intimacy, and our relationship with our bodies. In this Therapy Express webinar, we will explore these changes through a sex-positive, evidence-informed, and culturally sensitive lens, moving beyond a symptom-focused view of menopause to recognize sexual wellbeing, pleasure, agency, and connection as important aspects of quality of life. As a Clinical Sexologist specializing in menopause, I bring a biopsychosocial and culturally responsive perspective to sexual health in midlife. My South American background also informs my understanding of how culture, beliefs, gender expectations, and diverse lived experiences can shape the way menopause and sexuality are understood and experienced. Together, we will challenge common myths and explore ways to support a fulfilling sexual life throughout the menopause transition and beyond.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Identify key biopsychosocial factors associated with the menopause transition and describe their potential impact on sexual wellbeing, pleasure, body image, emotional health, and romantic relationships.
  2. Examine how cultural beliefs, gender expectations, relationship dynamics, and social support influence clients’ experiences of menopause, sexuality, intimacy, and aging.
  3. Apply menopause-informed, sex-positive, and culturally responsive approaches to therapeutic conversations, including psychoeducation, partner communication, social support, and appropriate interdisciplinary referrals.

Agenda:

Welcome, Introductions & Clinical Context
Introduction to the webinar, learning objectives, and the importance of addressing menopause, sexuality, and sexual wellbeing within psychotherapy. Participants will be invited to reflect on their current comfort level discussing menopause, sexuality, and pleasure with clients.

Understanding Sexual Wellbeing During the Menopause Transition
Overview of menopause through a biopsychosocial and sex-positive lens, including changes in sexual desire, arousal, pleasure, body image, mood, identity, and overall wellbeing. Participants will explore how they can move beyond a symptom- or deficit-based understanding of sexuality in midlife and help normalize the diversity of sexual experiences during this transition.

Culture, Diversity & the Menopause Experience
Exploration of how cultural beliefs, gender expectations, family messages, and social narratives about aging and sexuality can shape the menopause experience. Participants will be invited to consider how cultural assumptions—both clients’ and clinicians’—may influence conversations about menopause, sexuality, pleasure, and aging.

Menopause, Intimacy & Romantic Relationships
Discussion of how physical, emotional, and sexual changes associated with menopause can affect communication, intimacy, sexual connection, and relationship dynamics. We will examine the importance of helping partners understand what is happening during the menopause transition, reducing misinterpretations of changes in desire or sexual response, and encouraging communication that promotes empathy, connection, and mutual adaptation.

Social Support, Education & the Therapist’s Role
Exploration of the protective role of education and social support during the menopause transition. Participants will learn ways to help clients develop supportive conversations with partners, family members, friends, and work while reducing shame and isolation. We will also discuss the therapist’s role in normalizing clients’ experiences, supporting sexual agency and wellbeing, and recognizing when interdisciplinary collaboration or referral may be beneficial.

Integration, Guided Discussion & Q&A
The webinar will conclude with participant questions, and reflection on how therapists can create greater space for conversations about menopause, relationships, sexuality, pleasure, and wellbeing.

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.
  • 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: .
  • 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.