Ethical Dilemmas in Contemporary Therapy: Navigating Sex, Sexuality, and Gender Issues
3 Hours, 0 Minutes
Wednesday, September 23rd, 2026 1:45 PM EDT -4:45 PM EDT Dr. Caleb Jacobson
Wednesday, September 23rd, 2026 1:45 PM EDT -4:45 PM EDT Dr. Caleb Jacobson
3 CE Credits
Price
Paid
$59.99 USD
Yahoo!
Description
This course explores the complex ethical dilemmas that arise in contemporary therapy when working with issues of sex, sexuality, and gender. As clinical practice increasingly engages with diverse identities, behaviors, relational structures, and emerging technologies, therapists must navigate not only patient care, but also their own values, biases, and areas of discomfort.
Throughout the course, participants will examine key ethical challenges, including managing personal bias when discussing sexual concerns, handling secrets and disclosure in couples therapy, navigating clinical work with transgender and gender-diverse minors, and addressing presentations involving minor attraction, kink, and other non-normative sexual interests. The course will also explore evolving ethical questions related to technology, including the use of artificial intelligence, virtual sexual environments, and sex robots, and their implications for clinical practice.
Special attention will be given to the concept of consent—its clinical, relational, and ethical dimensions within therapeutic contexts, as well as how consent is understood and negotiated in both human and technology-mediated interactions.
Grounded in ethical decision-making frameworks and real-world clinical scenarios, this course aims to help therapists develop greater self-awareness, clinical clarity, and confidence in managing ethically complex situations with professionalism and integrity.
About the Presenter:
Caleb Jacobson is an internationally recognized clinical psychologist, sex therapist, and Bible scholar. He holds a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) degree in clinical psychology and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Hebrew Bible, biblical archaeology, and psychological exegesis. In his clinical practice, Dr. Jacobson specializes in working with religious and conservative patients, treating male sexual dysfunction, and addressing rare and problematic sexual issues. A pioneer in the integration of sex therapy and religion, he is the author of the award-winning Sex Therapy with Religious Patients: Working with Jewish, Christian, and Muslim Communities (2024) and the editor of The Routledge International Handbook of Sex Therapy and Religion (2025). Dr. Jacobson currently serves as president of both the School of Sex Therapy and the International Association of Psychosexual Therapists, where he leads initiatives in education, research, and clinical advancement within the field.
Learning Objectives:
- Analyze common ethical dilemmas that arise in therapy related to sex, sexuality, and gender using established ethical decision-making frameworks.
- Evaluate the impact of personal bias and discomfort on clinical work with patients presenting with sexual concerns.
- Apply ethical principles to the management of secrets and disclosure in couples therapy.
- Assess clinical and ethical considerations when working with transgender and gender-diverse minors, as well as patients presenting with minor attraction and kink-related interests.
- Differentiate and apply concepts of consent within therapeutic, relational, and clinical contexts.
Accreditation - This Webinar Offers 3 Live Interactive Continuing Education Credits
- 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 Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0774.
- The School of Sex Therapy is an approved continued education provider for the International Association of Psychosexual Therapists. The School of Sex Therapy maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
This presentation is open to:
- Behavior Analysts
- 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
This online class is offered at an intermediate level, and is beneficial for an intermediate level clinician:
- 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
Additional information
- Refunds: Learners who wish to withdraw from a program of study must do so at least two (2) weeks prior to the start of the initial course to receive a full refund, minus a 10% administrative fee. For withdrawals made one (1) week or less before the start of the initial course, learners are eligible for a 60% refund. Learners who have already started their training and decide to withdraw will remain responsible for the full cost of any courses or workshops they have completed or begun. However, they will not be charged for any future courses or workshops. In the event of an emergency that prevents a learner from continuing the program according to their completion plan, they may request a leave of absence.
- 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.
- The grievance policy for trainings provided by SoST is available here
- Satisfactory Completion: Certificates are available after satisfactory course completion in your account or by clicking here
- Participants will receive their certificate electronically upon completion of the webinar and course evaluation form.
- There is no conflict of interest or commercial support for this program.
- System Requirements: Any device (such as a computer, tablet, or phone), Dual-Core 2 GHz or higher processor, and at least 4 GB of RAM capable of running a Zoom session, along with a stable internet connection.
- Although early registration is recommended for this class in order to ensure the best experience, attendees may register and join until the start of the program