Expand your scope of practice with this 2-hour, asynchronous course. Learn to navigate the complex biological and psychological factors impacting sexual well-being on your own schedule.
Beyond the Symptom: A Biopsychosocial Approach to Assessing and Treating Sexual Concerns
Factors Influencing Sexual Functioning is a two-hour, asynchronous continuing education (CE) course designed for licensed mental health professionals seeking to strengthen their ability to conceptualize sexual concerns within a comprehensive clinical framework. Rather than viewing sexual difficulties as isolated symptoms, this course examines the interconnected biological, psychological, relational, and sociocultural factors that can influence sexual functioning across the lifespan. Participants are encouraged to consider the whole sexual system and recognize that sexual concerns are rarely explained by a single factor.
The course begins by examining age-related and physiological changes that can affect sexuality throughout adulthood. Participants explore how hormonal changes, health conditions, medications, pregnancy and postpartum experiences, perimenopause, menopause, and changes associated with aging may influence desire, arousal, sexual response, confidence, and pleasure. The course emphasizes that changes in sexual functioning do not signify the end of sexuality and encourages clinicians to consider how biological changes interact with psychological and relational experiences.
Body image and sexual self-concept are explored as important components of sexual well-being. Participants examine how identity, health, past experiences, relationships, cultural beauty standards, self-objectification, internalized ageism, gender expectations, and beliefs about sexual performance may affect a person’s relationship with their body and sexuality. Clinical manifestations may include avoidance of intimacy, reduced desire, difficulty receiving pleasure, Spectatoring, performance anxiety, and diminished sexual confidence. The course introduces clinical approaches that shift attention from appearance and performance toward body functionality, self-compassion, and broader definitions of sexual competence.
Dr. Jenn Kennedy, PhD, LMFT
I’ve worked therapeutically with hundreds of women and couples to unlock better sex lives. As a sexologist, I’ve also studied women and sexuality, so I integrate the full picture of interpersonal, psychological and environmental factors that impact your sex life. I offer evidenced-based theory and practical interventions with an understanding that every sexual journey is unique.
Make this investment in yourself!
How to get in touch
Please email [email protected]. We’re happy to help.
Curriculum
Participants also examine the relationship between sexuality, self-worth, sexual self-esteem, body awareness, boundaries, agency, vulnerability, and permission to experience pleasure. Common barriers – including shame, guilt, perfectionism, people-pleasing, chronic self-criticism, and religious or cultural messaging – are considered within a clinical context. Participants learn to explore clients’ beliefs about pleasure, distinguish pleasure from performance or productivity, and support greater curiosity, mindfulness, body awareness, and self-compassion.
The course further addresses the ways Big-T and little-t trauma may affect sexual safety, intimacy, arousal, pleasure, and connection to the body. Participants are introduced to trauma-informed principles and the potential role of EMDR while maintaining attention to stabilization, scope of practice, and appropriate referral. Negative cognitions that may contribute to shame, avoidance, performance anxiety, and other sexual concerns are also examined.
Throughout the course, clinical vignettes help participants integrate course concepts and identify contributing factors, underlying beliefs, and potential treatment targets. By applying an integrated biopsychosocial-relational lens, clinicians will develop a more nuanced framework for assessing sexual concerns and identifying appropriate clinical responses while supporting clients’ safety, agency, connection, and capacity for pleasure.
Course Feedback
This course helped me feel more confident and prepared to ask couples about sexual concerns.
You don’t have to specialize in sex therapy to benefit from this course. It made the topic approachable and gave me tools I can use with both individuals and couples.
The clinical vignettes helped connect the material to everyday practice. I appreciated having a practical way to consider various factors that are always in the room with couples.
As a generalist, I haven’t always felt confident addressing sexual concerns. This course gave me a clear framework for asking better questions and understanding what might be contributing to a client’s intimacy difficulties.
FAQs
The course includes two hours of recorded instruction. Allow additional time to complete the post-test, course evaluation, and completion self-attestation required for CE credit.
Yes. Factors Influencing Sexual Functioning is a foundational course for mental health professionals who want to better understand and assess sexual concerns. Clinical vignettes illustrate how to apply the concepts in practice. No prior training in sex therapy is needed.
No. The material is relevant to mental health professionals working with adult individuals or couples. It is especially useful for generalists who want to feel more confident discussing sex and sexuality.
The course explores the biological, psychological, relational, and sociocultural factors that influence sexual functioning, including hormonal and age-related changes, health conditions, medications, body image, trauma history, and relationship dynamics.
The course costs $79 and includes six months of access, downloadable citations, and the opportunity for eligible California clinicians to earn two CE credits upon completing all requirements.
No. CE credit for this course is available only to eligible California clinicians. Mental health professionals outside California may take the course for educational purposes, but cannot earn CE credit.
You will have access for six months from the date of purchase.
Yes. The course is self-paced, so you can pause and return during your six-month access period.
You must complete the full course, take the post-test within three days of finishing the course and earn a score of 70% or higher, submit the required course evaluation, and complete the self-attestation confirming that you personally completed the course.
Yes. You may retake the post-test if you do not achieve the required score of 70% or higher.
Yes. The course citations are available to download for reference and further reading.
Your CE certificate will be emailed to you after you complete all required steps.
The course fee is non-refundable.
For help accessing the course or resolving technical issues, email [email protected]
Are You Missing the Bigger Picture in Sexual Health? Shift the therapeutic focus from performance to self-compassion. Learn how to confidently address shame, trauma, and sexual self-concept in your clinical practice.