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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 AM 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. Identify major brain regions and neurochemical systems involved in sexual desire, arousal, and orgasm.
2. Differentiate the neurological correlates of lust, attraction, and attachment.
3. Describe how neural and hormonal processes contribute to the development and maintenance of romantic and sexual relationships.

Agenda:

Agenda:

12:00 – 12:10 | Introduction & Course Overview

Welcome and objectives
Overview of neuroscience and its relevance to sexual behavior and relationships

12:10 – 12:45 | Neurobiology of Sexual Desire and Arousal

Key brain regions involved in sexual motivation (hypothalamus, limbic system, cortex)
Role of neurotransmitters: dopamine, serotonin, testosterone
Clinical implications for understanding desire and arousal issues

12:45 – 1:15 | Lust, Infatuation, and Romantic Attraction

Neural circuits of lust vs. attraction
Neurochemical pathways of infatuation and “falling in love”
How early attachment and reward systems influence partner choice

1:15- 1:30 CASE DISCUSSION

1:30 – 1:40 | Break (10 minutes)

1:40 – 2:15 | Orgasm and Reward Pathways

Neurological mechanisms of orgasm
Dopamine, oxytocin, and reward system interactions
Clinical relevance for sexual dysfunction and pleasure disorders

2:15 – 2:45 | Love, Attachment, and Clinical Applications

Neural basis of long-term attachment and pair bonding
Oxytocin, vasopressin, and stress regulation
Applying neuroscience to assessment and therapeutic interventions

2:45- 3 CASE DISCUSSION

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.

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 Knowledge Areas: Developmental Sexuality, Health/Medical factors that influence sexuality, Intimacy Skills, Learning theory and its application, Range of sexual functioning and behavior, sexual and reproductive anatomy, Socio-cultural and familial factors. May be used for Sex Therapy Training ST1, ST2, ST3, ST4, ST5, ST6, ST7.
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.

FREE WEBINAR

The Neuropsychology of Sex: Understanding the Brain’s Role in Desire, Arousal, Orgasm, Love, Lust, and Attachment

About the Presenter

Learning Objectives:

Agenda:

Participants will receive their certificate electronically upon completion of the webinar and course evaluation form.

More Information:

FREE WEBINAR

The Neuropsychology of Sex: Understanding the Brain’s Role in Desire, Arousal, Orgasm, Love, Lust, and Attachment

About the Presenter

Learning Objectives:

Agenda:

Participants will receive their certificate electronically upon completion of the webinar and course evaluation form.

Workshop Dates:

Workshop Presenters:

More Information: