Mental Illness and Sexuality(4 CE Hours)Presenter:Larry Siegel, M.A.

Description: Sex therapy generally utilizes a biopsychosocial approach to understanding and treating sexual dysfunctions and disorders. Sex therapists need to have a broad-based understanding of sexual problems and be able to identify a number of individual physiological, psychological and emotional issues related to sexual concerns. In addition, these issues also need to be understood in both relational and family contexts.  This course will provide exploration and discussion of some of the underlying psychological issues related to sexual concerns, dysfunctions, and disorders. In addition, participants will examine the impact sexual problems may have on psychological issues.  Focus will be on anxiety disorders, mood disorders, sleep disorders, eating disorders, autism spectrum disorders, and dissociative disorders.

Learning Objectives:

Describe common underlying psychological and emotional issues in sexual dysfunctions and disorders.

Discuss how 3 psychological and emotional issues are reflected in sexual expression

Explain the bidirectional impact of psychological and sexual disorders

Apply understanding of the understanding of underlying psychological and emotional dynamics to the treatment of sexual and relationship problems

Activity Schedule:

2 – 3  Psychological and emotional aspects of sexual dysfunctions and disorders –  etiological underpinnings

3 – 4 Sexual expression and behavior as a reflection of psychological and emotional issues

4-4:30 Interplay between psychological, emotional, and sexual processes – Which came first?

4:30-5 Relationship dynamics when psychological and   emotional issues are present

5 – 6 Balancing and effectively integrating mental health and sexual therapies in treating sexual and relationships

Speaker Bio:

Lawrence Siegel, MA, CSE, is a Clinical Sexologist, certified by the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, & Therapists (AASECT) as a sexuality educator, and is a Fellow with the American Academy of Clinical Sexologists. In addition to being former President and current Director of Education & Training for Sage Institute for Family Development, Larry serves on faculty at Nova Southeastern University, Burnett International College, Kaplan University, and Palm Beach State College. As an educator, trainer, and consultant for the past 28 years, Larry has traveled extensively – both around the US and abroad – training all levels of health and mental- health professionals and is recognized as a leading educator in the area of sexuality, sexual medicine, and sexual therapies. Larry is also widely published, in both popular and peer-reviewed media, in such areas as problems with the “sex addiction” model, sexual changes in aging adults, sex and drugs, relationships, and enhancing sexual experiences.

Larry has been honored numerous times in Who’s Who of American Teachers and has received several honors for teaching excellence. As president of a non-profit organization, he has also been recognized in Who’s Who of American Executives and has consulted with other non-profit organizations on developing effective practice models and training programs. He is a regular guest on radio and television shows and can be found as an expert advisor on such websites as SexualHealth.com and iFriends.net, in addition to numerous guest blogs and podcasts.

Most recently, Larry has joined the faculty of Modern Sex Therapy Institutes, providing sex therapy education and training to mental-health and medical professionals. He has also formed a collaboration with Senior Solutions to present a series of trainings and workshops on senior dating, sex and relationships while working with elder-care communities to develop policies and procedures to effectively address these issues.