Most clinicians want to work from an evidence-informed foundation—but few were ever taught how to confidently read, critique, and apply academic research. This six-part course bundle gives clinical mental health providers a clear, supportive, and clinically relevant pathway to developing research literacy skills that directly enhance therapeutic interventions.

Across these six courses, clinicians learn not just how to critique studies—but how to integrate this understanding into treatment planning, case conceptualization, and client education. Each training uses one or more published articles as its anchor, guiding participants through core questions about research design, participant inclusion/exclusion, measurement tools, theoretical frameworks, cultural assumptions, and generalizability to diverse client populations.

What’s Included in the Course Bundle

1. How to Read Academic Research

Learn the core building blocks of research literacy: types of research, how to evaluate study legitimacy, where to find peer-reviewed articles, how to understand each section of a research paper, and a step-by-step approach for efficiently reading primary research. Clinicians leave with greater confidence, stronger critical-thinking skills, and improved ability to evaluate evidence before applying it to practice.

2. Evidence-based Interventions for Treating Infidelity

Through two anchor studies, clinicians explore how sampling, control groups, follow-up lengths, treatment protocols, and questionnaire selection influence research outcomes. Learn how to identify alternative explanations for results, question whether training truly leads to better client outcomes, and evaluate whether evidence is strong enough to support changing your clinical approach.

3. Mindfulness for the Treatment of Sexual Dysfunctions in Men and Women

Examine how mindfulness interventions are studied, who is represented in these samples, and how heteronormative or limited definitions of sexual dysfunction shape findings. Participants learn to compare intervention approaches, evaluate meta-analytic methods, assess publication bias, and determine whether mindfulness and CBT produce meaningfully different outcomes.

4. Sexual Function & Sexual Distress Across the Transition to Parenthood

Using a longitudinal study of first-time Portuguese parents, clinicians engage in questions about cultural generalizability, measurement tools (e.g., FSFI vs. IIEF), sexual frequency requirements for inclusion, attrition rates, and the complex relationship between sexual function and sexual distress. The training teaches clinicians to think beyond conclusions and consider what is clinically meaningful—and what may not generalize to their population.

5. What does research tell us about Asexuality?

This research-based exploration of asexuality helps clinicians understand identity development, methodological limitations in asexuality research, cultural/gender biases in sampling, and the pitfalls of relying heavily on AVEN-sourced data. Participants learn to differentiate between low sexual desire and asexuality, evaluate the validity of the Asexuality Identification Scale, and support clients without pathologizing identity or attraction diversity.

6. Who has greater sexual desire, men or women?

This training unpacks a meta-analytic review of gender differences in sex drive, exploring the authors’ proposed definitions and examining the cognitive, emotional, and behavioral facets of drive. Clinicians discuss gendered reporting biases, cultural expectations, sexual strategies theory, publication bias, and the role of religion, menstrual cycles, and hormonal contraception in shaping self-reported desire and behavior.

These skills are essential for social workers and mental health providers responsible for making treatment decisions, advocating for clients, and offering education grounded in accurate science.

This class is approved for 6 CE credits.

This training gives you a front-row seat to one of the core foundations of sexual health education: the Six Principles of Sexual Health. Through engaging lectures, real-world examples, and practical reflection, you’ll learn how to approach conversations about sexuality with empathy, professionalism, and confidence.

1. Consent

Consent is the cornerstone of healthy sexual expression. In this course, you’ll learn how to help clients understand affirmative, enthusiastic, ongoing consent—not only as an external behavior but as an internal sense of bodily autonomy and emotional alignment. We explore how trauma, socialization, power dynamics, and communication styles all affect a person’s ability to give and receive meaningful consent.

2. Honesty

Honesty creates safety and clarity in sexual relationships. We break down how secrecy, shame, and avoidance patterns show up in clinical settings, and how to help clients communicate openly about their needs, boundaries, desires, fears, and fantasies. You’ll learn practical tools to support honest communication in a way that strengthens connection rather than triggering conflict.

3. Shared Values

Healthy sexual relationships are built on shared expectations and values. In this section, we explore how mismatched beliefs about sex, intimacy, fidelity, family, and faith shape relational patterns. You’ll learn how to facilitate conversations that help clients identify their values, express them clearly, and negotiate differences with respect and compassion.

4. Non-Exploitation

Sexual health cannot exist where coercion, manipulation, or unequal power dynamics are present. This principle helps clinicians identify subtle and overt forms of exploitation in relationships, including emotional pressure, financial control, grooming patterns, or cultural conditioning. You’ll learn how to support clients in creating relationships grounded in respect, agency, and reciprocity.

5. Protection

Protection addresses both physical and emotional sexual safety. We’ll discuss evidence-based strategies for preventing unwanted pregnancy, STIs, and HIV, as well as how to help clients protect their mental and relational well-being. This includes supporting clients in navigating triggers, cultivating safety plans, and building resilience when sexual health intersects with trauma histories.

6. Pleasure

Pleasure is often the most overlooked principle, yet it is central to sexual well-being. In this course, you’ll learn how to destigmatize pleasure, reframe it as a legitimate health indicator, and help clients understand the emotional, neurological, and relational benefits of positive sexual experiences. We explore pleasure within cultural, gendered, and body-based contexts to help clients build a healthy, empowered relationship with their sexuality.

You’ll understand not only what the Six Principles are but how to use them—creating a more inclusive, affirming, and therapeutically effective approach to sexual health. This course sets the foundation for confident, ethical conversations that support your clients’ growth, relationships, and overall well-being.

This training helps clinicians deepen their understanding of hormonal fluctuations across the menstrual cycle and integrate cycle-informed strategies into treatment planning, case conceptualization, and therapeutic conversations.

Whether your clients are navigating PMDD, perinatal transitions, trauma, chronic burnout, ADHD, or simply want to understand their bodies better, cycle literacy can transform how they care for themselves—and how you support them.

What You’ll Learn

Through lecture, case-based discussion, and guided reflection, you’ll explore:

The four hormonal phases (menstrual, follicular, ovulatory, luteal)—and how each influences mood, cognition, stress tolerance, and somatic experience

Female vs. male hormonal cycles and how these differences shape energy patterns, motivation, rest, nutrition, and productivity

Cycle-aligned lifestyle strategies clinicians can confidently recommend to support resilience, emotional regulation, and wellbeing

Clinical applications for perinatal, reproductive, and menstruating clients—including how cycle tracking builds self-insight and autonomy

This course combines physiology, psychology, and practical therapeutic tools to bridge the gap between hormone science and mental health care.

Why It Matters

Working competently with menstruating clients—especially in high birthrate communities—is a social justice issue. Many clinical models were developed around male‐dominant research, leaving menstruators misunderstood, misdiagnosed, or pathologized for normal hormonal rhythms.

This training helps clinicians:

Reduce stigma and shame around menstrual health

Hold culturally diverse and inclusive perspectives on menstruation

Challenge internalized gendered productivity norms

Honor client dignity, autonomy, and lived experience

Your clients deserve care informed not just by mind and environment, but also by body.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this training, attendees will be able to:

Identify and describe the four phases of the menstrual cycle and key hormonal shifts

Differentiate between male and female hormonal cycles and their clinical impacts

Apply cycle-aligned strategies to support sleep, nutrition, exercise, and emotional regulation

These skills help clinicians promote resilience, self-awareness, and whole-person wellness.