Sex, Sexuality & Gender: Case Studies

Clinicians and therapists commonly face questions from their mid-older adult patients about sex, sexuality and gender issues, and may feel under-prepared or not completely comfortable to satisfactorily address them. Concerns about shifting sexual identity or sexual activity; the weight of cultural influences and social expectations; ageism related to sex in older age; the impact of trauma on relationships; and dealing with grief/loss of a partner, along with possible revival of sexual desire in later life, can all arise in the course of clinical care and may be strongly linked to the patient's mental health. In addition, the patient-clinician relationship may be influenced by transference and countertransference, contributing to further complexity. How should clinicians and therapists help their patients navigate these complicated issues? What should they ask and how should they work with each person's individual needs and desires?

We conclude our journey into sex, sexuality, and gender throughout the lifespan with a one-day intensive workshop consisting of four case vignettes that incorporate many of the themes we have touched on in prior series. Faculty will describe each case narrative in detail, after which the entire group (participants plus the faculty panel) will have an open discussion to explore the salient issues of the case and answer questions.

We invite you to join us and fellow colleagues to explore and discuss how to identify and address these important issues in clinical practice. Attendance at our prior series is not mandatory to register; we welcome all clinicians who treat adults and wish to enhance their comfort level and effectiveness discussing topics of sexuality and gender with their patients. 

Who Should Attend

• Nurse Practitioners
• Primary Care Physicians
• Psychologists
• Specialty Physicians
• Nurses
• Physician Assistants
• Social Workers
• Marriage and Family Therapists
• Counselors
• Others

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this activity, participants will be able to:

• Formulate specific questions that should be asked of patients to help them identify and navigate issues related to sex, sexuality, and gender that commonly arise in mid-older adulthood.
• Identify intersectional patient identities which may affect their sexual and/or emotional lives.
• Review biological and psychosocial aspects of sexuality in older adults, and accompanying stigma.
• Summarize how cultural norms may affect an individual's mental health related to their gender identity or sexual lives.
• Discuss how patient/therapist match, and transference and countertransference, affect the therapeutic alliance and the course of treatment.

ABMS / ACGME Competencies

This course is designed to meet the following American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) / Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Educational (ACGME) competencies:

• Patient Care and Procedural Skills
• Medical Knowledge
• Interpersonal and Communication Skills
• Professionalism

IOM Competencies

This course is designed to meet the following Institute of Medicine Core Competencies:

• Provide Patient-Centered Care
• Employ Evidence-Based Practice

Friday, September 20, 2024

All agenda sessions are in Eastern Time.

Harvard Medical School Continuing Education attracts the best and brightest faculty from all around the world. As a student in this course, you’ll have access to outstanding course directors and faculty. 

Marshall Forstein, MD (Course Director)

Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Part-time, Harvard Medical School and Cambridge Health Alliance
Private Practice, Boston

Cynthia Telingator, MD (Course Director)

Senior Consultant, Director of Education and Training, Gender and Sexuality Consultation Service, Cambridge Health Alliance
Assistant Professor, Harvard Medical School
Co-Chair, Women’s Committee, American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry ​​​​​​
Private Practice, Cambridge

Karen Kuc, MPH (Course Director)

Director, Continuing Education in Psychiatry, Cambridge Health Alliance​​​
Associate in Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School

Arlene Lev, LCSW-R, CASAC CSTS

Lecturer, School of Social Welfare, SUNY Albany
Clinical Director, Choices Counseling and Consulting, and TIGRIS Institute

Monica O'Neal, PsyD

Clinical Psychologist in Private Practice, Boston, MA

Joseph Winn, MSW, LICSW, CST-S

Therapist in Private Practice, MA
Faculty, South Shore Sexual Health Center

In support of improving patient care, Harvard Medical School is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team. 

Physicians

The Harvard Medical School designates this live activity for a maximum of 6.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. 

Psychologists

Cambridge Health Alliance, Division of Continuing Education in Psychiatry is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Cambridge Health Alliance, Division of Continuing Education in Psychiatry maintains responsibility for this program and its content. This course offers 6.00 continuing education credits.  

Social Workers

Application for social work continuing education credits has been submitted. Please contact us at cme@challiance.org for the status of social work CE accreditation. NY Social Workers: Cambridge Health Alliance, Division of Continuing Education in Psychiatry is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an Approved Provider #0038 of continuing education for licensed social workers. This course offers 6.00 contact hours.

Counselors

Cambridge Health Alliance, Division of Continuing Education in Psychiatry has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 5444.  Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Cambridge Health Alliance, Division of Continuing Education in Psychiatry is solely responsible for all aspects of the program. This course meets the requirements for 6.00 continuing education hours, and is also applicable for Commonwealth of Massachusetts Counseling/Allied Mental Health accreditation for 6.00 credits.

Family Therapists

This activity has been certified by New England Association for Family and Systemic Therapy on behalf of the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Allied Mental Health and Human Services Professions, for LMFT professional continuing education, Certificate #PC-042323, for a total of 6.0 contact hours.

Physician Assistants, Nurse Practitioners, and Registered Nurses

For the purpose of recertification, the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants, the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board and the American Nurses Credentialing Center accept AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ issued by organizations accredited by the ACCME. We would also suggest that learners check with their state licensing board to ensure they accept reciprocity with AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ for re-licensure.  

Canadian Accreditation

The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada recognizes conferences and workshops held outside of Canada that are developed by a university, academy, hospital, specialty society or college as accredited group learning activities.

European Accreditation

The American Medical Association (AMA) has an agreement of mutual recognition of continuing medical education (CME) credit with the European Union of Medical Specialties (UEMS). Additional information regarding this agreement may be found here.

Disclosure Policies

In accord with the disclosure policy of the Medical School as well as standards set forth by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), course planners, speakers, and content reviewers have been asked to disclose any relationships they have to companies whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients. In addition, faculty have been asked to list any off-label uses of pharmaceuticals and/or devices for investigational or non-FDA approved purposes that they plan to discuss.

Disclaimer

CME activities accredited by Harvard Medical School are offered solely for educational purposes and do not constitute any form of certification of competency. Practitioners should always consult additional sources of information and exercise their best professional judgement before making clinical decisions of any kind.

Note: AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ is calculated based on submission of a preliminary agenda and may be subject to change.

Tuition for Sex, Sexuality, and Gender in Adulthood: Case Studies is listed below. You may register through our secure online environment and will receive an email confirmation upon receipt of your payment. Prices include CME credit, electronic syllabus, and access to recordings for 30 days after the course.

At the end of the registration process, a $10 non-refundable processing fee will be added to your registration. Refunds, less an administrative fee of $75, will be issued for all cancellations received at least two weeks prior to the start of the course. Refund requests must be made in our secure online system or by email. “No shows” are subject to the full course fee.

Course Tuition

Course Registration - Sex, Sexuality, and Gender in Adulthood: Case Studies

Physician (MD/DO)

$225 / ($195 if registered by Wednesday, August 22, 2024)

All Other Health Professionals

$175 / ($150 if registered by Wednesday, August 22, 2024)