Counseling Techniques>Relationships

The Future of Sex: Relationships & Intimacy: Where Are We Now?

Picture of Tammy Nelson, Ph. D, LPC, LPCC

Tammy Nelson, Ph. D, LPC, LPCC

Current Status

Not Enrolled

Price

$59.00

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Thursday, September 17, 2026

01:30 PM ET – 4:45 PM ET

Overview:

Contemporary relationships are undergoing profound change as technology, evolving social norms, and global connectivity reshape how individuals form and sustain intimacy. This course examines the emerging landscape of modern couples therapy and the growing integration of sex therapy as an essential component of relational treatment.

Participants will explore the ways digital culture, artificial intelligence, and virtual reality are influencing sexual behavior, desire, and connection. The course will discuss how post-pandemic trends have contributed to increased loneliness, decreased sexual activity among younger couples, and sustained intimacy among older adults. Attention will be given to the clinical implications of new sexual technologies, including virtual reality pornography, sex robots, and teledildonics on sexual function, desire discrepancies, and treatment planning.

Through research-informed discussion and reflective clinical exploration, participants will consider how therapists can navigate nontraditional and technology-influenced expressions of intimacy while addressing their own countertransference, discomfort, and ethical boundaries. This course invites clinicians to reimagine their role in helping clients build healthy, authentic connections in a rapidly changing world, integrating new modalities for fostering emotional and sexual well-being.

Objectives:

  • Describe how technological advances, including artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and online sexual platforms, are reshaping intimacy, sexual behavior, and relationship dynamics in contemporary society.
  • Analyze the psychological, relational, and ethical implications of sexual technology, including its impact on desire, attachment, and therapeutic interventions.
  • Differentiate between traditional and emerging models of couples and sex therapy, with attention to evolving social norms, fluid relationship structures, and generational differences in sexual expression.
  • Apply trauma-informed and culturally sensitive strategies to address client concerns related to sexual identity, technology-mediated intimacy, and relational disconnection in clinical practice.

Scope and Limitations Disclosure

This program is offered for educational purposes only and is designed to enhance professional knowledge related to contemporary relationships, sex therapy integration, and technology-informed clinical practice. Participation in this course does not result in certification, licensure, or authorization to practice beyond one’s existing credentials, and it does not provide legal advice. Participants are responsible for applying the information in a manner consistent with their professional scope of practice, applicable ethical standards, and state or jurisdictional licensure requirements.

Commercial Support Disclosure

Dr. Tammy Nelson, Ph. D, LPC, LPCC receives compensation for presenting this program. She is an author and has developed published works and clinical perspectives that may be referenced as part of the educational content. No additional purchase of books, materials, products, or services is required beyond the course registration fee. This training has not received commercial support, and no commercial entity has influenced the development, content, or presentation of this program.
 

Course materials are only available to enrolled students.

  • Card image cap
    Tammy Nelson, Ph. D, LPC, LPCC

    Tammy Nelson, Ph.D. is a sex and relationship expert, international speaker, author, and licensed psychotherapist with over 30 years of experience helping individuals and couples find love, healing, and passion. She is a Board-Certified Sexologist, AASECT Certified Sex Therapist and Supervisor, and the Director of the Integrative Sex Therapy Institute (ISTI), where she trains clinicians worldwide. Dr. Nelson is the author of numerous books, including Getting the Sex You Want, The New Monogamy, When You’re the One Who Cheats, Integrative Sex & Couples Therapy, and her most recent, Open Monogamy. A TEDx presenter, she is frequently featured in major media outlets such as The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, and CNN, and she hosts The Trouble with Sex podcast. Through her writing, teaching, and clinical work, Dr. Nelson is recognized internationally as a leading voice on affairs, monogamy, and evolving relationships.

National Approvals

eCare BHI, as the accredited and approved sponsor, maintains responsibility for all the programs and must abide by each board’s continuing education guidelines.

Professional Counselors — The National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC)

E Care Behavioral Health Institute has been approved by NBCC as an approved Continuing Education Provider. ACEP No. 6703. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC are clearly identified. E care Behavioral Health Institute is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

Addiction Professionals — NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC)

E Care Behavioral Health Institute is officially on file with NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC) as an Approved Education Provider. They are formally known as NAADAC Provider #139138. Please note that E care Behavioral Health Institute is solely responsible for all aspects of the program.

Social Workers — Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB)

E Care Behavioral Health Institute, #1706, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. E Care Behavioral Health Institute maintains responsibility for this course.   ACE provider approval period: 06-03-2020 – 06-03-2026. 

CE Broker

CE Broker is a continuing education tracking system in which licensees track their compliance and report their completed CE hours credit (CE Broker Tracking #50-33336)

State Approvals

States that Accept ASWB-ACE Approved Providers

Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut
Delaware District Of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois
Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland
Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska
Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico North Carolina North Dakota Ohio
Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee
Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin
Wyoming

States that Accepts NBCC Approved Courses: 

Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut
Delaware District Of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Indiana
Iowa Maine Maryland Massachusetts Missouri New Hampshire New Jersey
New Mexico Ohio Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota
Tennessee Texas Vermont Virginia Washington Wisconsin
Notes:
  • Nevada CPC’s and MFT’s accept ASWB-approved training
  • North Dakota Board Of Counselor Examiners LAPC and LAPCS accept ASWB approved training
  • Rhode Island Board of Mental Health Counselors and Marriage & Family Therapists MHC’s accept ASWB approved training
  • Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council LPC and LPCS accept ASWB approved training
  • Utah Division of Professional Licensing – CMHC’s  accept ASWB approved training
  • Washington State Department of Mental Health MHC’s  accept ASWB approved training
  • Wisconsin Council on Mental Health LPCS accepts ASWB-approved training

States that Accept NAADAC Approved Providers

Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas Delaware Hawaii Indiana
Kentucky Maine Massachusetts Minnesota Montana Nevada New Jersey
New Jersey New Mexico North Carolina North Dakota Oregon Rhode Island Tennessee
Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wisconsin Wyoming

States that Accept APA Approved Providers

Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Delaware District Of Columbia
Florida Georgia Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas
Kentucky Louisiana Maryland Massachusetts Minnesota Mississippi Missouri
Montana Nebraska New Jersey New Mexico North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma
Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina Tennessee Utah Vermont Virginia
Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming
Note: Please note that Individual Board Rules are subject to potential changes. The approval and acceptance details we furnish are accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of documentation. Should you have any inquiries or uncertainties not addressed by the provided information, it’s advisable to consult your State Regulatory Board. Ultimately, the decision of whether your license renewal credit hours are accepted or denied rests with you. Georgia Addiction Counselor: E Care BHI is recognized by the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Certification Board of Georgia as an approved education provider for Addiction Counselors (ADACBGA) #19-12-17-1212. Florida Addiction Counselor: E Care BHI is recognized by the Florida Certification Board as an approved education provider for Addiction Counselor (FCB) #5387-A. Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy & Mental Health Counseling: The Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy & Mental Health Counseling accepts courses from ASWB & NBCC approved providers. E Care Behavioral Health Institute is an ASWB and NBCC approved provider. Oklahoma Addiction Counselor: E Care BHI is recognized by the Oklahoma State Board of Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors as an approved education provider for Addiction Counselors (OBLADC) #20220136. Oklahoma Board of Behavioral Health Licensure: E Care BHI is an approved CE provider for LPC & LMFT Ohio Addiction Counselor: E Care BHI is recognized by the Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board as an approved education provider for Addiction Counselor (OCDP)#50-29024 The Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board accepts courses from ASWB & NBCC approved providers. E Care Behavioral Health Institute is an ASWB and NBCC approved provider. VA Mental Health Employee: E Care BHI VA COMMERCIAL VENDOR # 81-3353387-01 California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals (CCAPP): E Care BHI is recognized by the California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals (CCAPP) Provider Number OS-22-344-0526 Connecticut Certification Board CCB Approved): E Care BHI is recognized & approved by the Connecticut Certification Board. Texas Certification Board (TCB): E Care Behavioral Health Institute is recognized by the Texas Certification Board as an approved education provider. Number 2041-19 South Carolina E Care Behavioral Health Institute is recognized by the Professional Counselors, Marriage & Family Therapists, and Psycho-Educational Specialists licensing board as an approved education provider Provider #4628 New York (MHC) E Care Behavioral Health 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-0277 New York (SW) E Care Behavioral Health Institute 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-0745 LA-ADRA – E Care Behavioral Health Institute is recognized by Louisiana The Addictive Disorder Regulatory Authority as an approved educational provider AEP #E122

Who This Training is For:

This program is intended for mental health professionals such as Social Workers, Mental Health Counselors, Addiction Counselors, & MFT’s. Psychologists are encouraged to verify if this specific course meets their board’s approval requirements.

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CE Guarantee

If you miss the live event or are dissatisfied with the session, we are happy to offer a course credit transfer to another course of equal CE value

Replay Access

After the live session, we'll send you the recording for your own resource that you can review later at your own pace

Interactive Experience

Enjoy your learning experience with engaging activities such as group discussion, vignettes, roleplaying, video demos, etc.

If you're from Florida, Ohio, or South Carolina, we'll report your CEs to the CE broker

How It Works

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Frequently Asked Questions

Once you register for this training, the course will immediately appear in your account dashboard. Inside, you’ll see a countdown timer. And once the scheduled time arrives, the live session will begin from there!

Of course! If you sign up but miss the live session… The recording will be added to your account Dashboard within 48 hours after the live session with an email notification of instructions. You will also receive home-study CE credits for watching the recording.

Yes, we have limited seating on our live webinars to keep the sessions as interactive & engaged as possible. So be sure to claim your spot before it’s too late!

No. Live webinar attendees are not required to take or pass a quiz to receive a CE certificate. (But yes for recorded webinars). You are required to pass a quiz with an 80% passing grade with 3 attempts only for recorded webinars.

Yes, we are approved Continuing Education providers by ASWB, NBCC, NAADAC, APA, & many state boards.

Programs that do not qualify for ASWB, NBCC, NAADAC, & APA are clearly identified. eCare Behavioral Health Institute is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

To view all of our board approvals, click here

Live Webinar CE Courses:

  • Refunds are only eligible if the refund was requested 48 hours before the scheduled live event.
  • If the customer missed the live event, or was unsatisfied from it – We can transfer credits to another course of their choice (with same CE credit amount).
  • CE Credits 3
  • Format
  • Quizzes 0
  • Level Intermediate

Unlimited CEs for $297/year

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