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Diagnostic Assessment of Sexual Disorders Using DSM-5 Criteria

Monday, November 23rd, 2026   10:00 AM EST -1:00 PM EST
Micah Engel, DNP, NP-P, PMHNP-BC
$59.99 USD

This 3-hour course provides a comprehensive review of the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for male and female sexual dysfunctions, substance/medication-induced sexual dysfunctions, and paraphilic disorders. Participants will learn how to accurately assess and differentiate between normative sexual behaviors, atypical sexual interests, and clinically significant sexual disorders requiring treatment. The training will emphasize prevalence rates, diagnostic thresholds, differential diagnosis, cultural considerations, and evidence-based screening and assessment tools used in clinical practice. Special attention will be given to distinguishing consensual sexual variation and fetishes from paraphilic disorders associated with distress, impairment, or risk to others.

 

Through case-based learning and interactive diagnostic exercises, participants will strengthen their ability to apply DSM-5 criteria to real-world clinical presentations. Attendees will review clinical vignettes, determine whether behaviors reflect normative sexual functioning or diagnosable disorders, and practice differential diagnosis across a range of sexual and paraphilic presentations. The course is designed to improve diagnostic confidence, reduce clinician discomfort when discussing sexual health, and promote ethical, culturally sensitive, and trauma-informed assessment practices.

About the Presenter

Dr. Engel is a board-certified Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner who earned his Master of Science degree from NYU and his Doctorate from Touro University. He has extensive experience providing psychiatric care to high-risk clients at Four Winds Hospital and Mosaic Mental Health. Dr. Engel offers comprehensive medication management combined with therapeutic support for both children and adults. His areas of expertise include depression, trauma, anxiety, OCD, pediatric ADHD, autism spectrum disorders, and complex psychopharmacology, including psychiatric medication side effect management.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Define male and female sexual dysfunctions, substance/medication-induced sexual dysfunctions, and paraphilic disorders using DSM-5 diagnostic criteria, prevalence data, and clinical features across the lifespan.
  2. Evaluate evidence-based assessment methods and diagnostic tools used to identify sexual dysfunctions and paraphilic disorders, including clinical interviews, differential diagnosis strategies, sexual functioning assessments, psychiatric screening measures, and risk assessment instruments.
  3. Distinguish between normative sexual functioning, consensual sexual variation, and clinically significant sexual disorders through application of DSM-5 criteria, case analysis, and ethical assessment principles.

Agenda:

I. Introduction & Foundations of Sexual Assessment (15 minutes)

Topics:

·        Why sexual health assessment matters in mental health care

·        DSM-5 framework for sexual dysfunctions and paraphilic disorders

·        Distinguishing sexual interests, fantasies, behaviors, and disorders

·        Clinical, ethical, and cultural considerations

·        Overview of prevalence and epidemiology

 

II. Male Sexual Dysfunctions: DSM-5 Criteria & Differential Diagnosis (35 minutes)

Disorders Covered:

·        Erectile Disorder

·        Premature (Early) Ejaculation

·        Delayed Ejaculation

·        Male Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder

Topics:

·        DSM-5 diagnostic criteria

·        Duration and severity requirements

·        Prevalence and contributing factors

·        Differential diagnosis:

o   Medical vs psychological causes

o   Relationship issues vs dysfunction

o   Normal variation vs disorder

·        Screening and assessment tools

·        Case examples and audience diagnosis exercises

 

III. Female Sexual Dysfunctions: DSM-5 Criteria & Differential Diagnosis (35 minutes)

Disorders Covered:

·        Female Orgasmic Disorder

·        Female Sexual Interest/Arousal Disorder

·        Genito-Pelvic Pain/Penetration Disorder

Topics:

·        DSM-5 diagnostic criteria

·        Hormonal, relational, trauma-related, and psychosocial contributors

·        Prevalence and epidemiology

·        Differential diagnosis and comorbidities

·        Assessment and screening instruments

·        Cultural considerations in diagnosis

·        Interactive case-based diagnostic practice

 

IV. Substance/Medication-Induced Sexual Dysfunction (30 minutes)

Topics:

·        DSM-5 criteria for substance/medication-induced sexual dysfunction

·        Antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction

·        Antipsychotic-related sexual side effects

·        Substance-related sexual dysfunction

·        Distinguishing medication side effects from primary sexual disorders

·        Clinical assessment and timeline evaluation

·        Screening approaches and medication history review

·        Case discussion and differential diagnosis exercises

 

V. BREAK (10 minutes)

 

VI. Paraphilic Disorders: DSM-5 Diagnosis & Differential Assessment (30 minutes)

Disorders Covered:

·        Voyeuristic Disorder

·        Exhibitionistic Disorder

·        Frotteuristic Disorder

·        Sexual Masochism Disorder

·        Sexual Sadism Disorder

·        Pedophilic Disorder

·        Fetishistic Disorder

·        Transvestic Disorder

Topics:

·        DSM-5 diagnostic criteria

·        Distinguishing fetishes, kinks, BDSM, and consensual sexual variation from paraphilic disorders

·        Distress, impairment, consent, and risk considerations

·        Epidemiology and risk assessment

·        Ethical and legal considerations

·        Screening and forensic assessment considerations

·        Interactive case identification exercises

 

VII. Interactive Diagnostic Case Workshop (20 minutes)

Participants Will:

·        Read clinical vignettes individually or in groups

·        Determine:

o   DSM-5 diagnosis

o   Rule-outs/differential diagnosis

o   Whether presentation reflects normal sexual functioning

o   Whether clinical intervention is indicated

·        Discuss rationale as a group

Suggested Cases:

·        SSRI-induced anorgasmia

·        Consensual fetish vs Fetishistic Disorder

·        Erectile dysfunction with performance anxiety

·        Exhibitionistic Disorder

·        Trauma-related low desire

·        Normal BDSM relationship vs Sexual Sadism Disorder

 

VIII. Questions, Discussion & Key Takeaways (15 minutes)

Topics:

·        Common diagnostic mistakes

·        Cultural humility in sexual assessment

·        Avoiding pathologizing normal sexual behavior

·        Clinical pearls and practical takeaways

 

·        Audience Q&A

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.
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    CE You! maintains responsibility for this program.
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  • 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.
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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.