Cost: Member: $35 | Student Member: $15 | Non-member: $65
Abstract: Sexual health is a vital yet often overlooked component of overall well-being. Many patients experience sexual concerns that go unaddressed in healthcare settings. This presentation aims to increase provider comfort, knowledge, and skill in discussing sexual health within routine clinical care. Using a biopsychosocial and whole-health lens, participants will learn practical strategies for initiating conversations about sexual function and well-being, gathering relevant assessment information, and providing brief education and appropriate referrals. The talk reviews common sexual concerns, including changes related to aging, medications, and psychological or relational factors, and introduces frameworks such as the Dual Control Model and topics such as responsive versus spontaneous desire.
Presenter bio: Dr. Elizabeth Bird is a licensed clinical psychologist and certified sex therapist with over 12 years of experience conducting therapy with individuals and couples. Dr. Bird earned her PhD from the University of Washington and completed her internship and postdoctoral fellowship at the Seattle Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Dr. Bird has published 19 peer reviewed journal articles in the areas of sexual health, trauma, and alcohol use, and she has provided over 40 presentations throughout her career in both academic and clinical settings. She spent the last 6 years working as a staff psychologist at the Seattle VA and recently joined a small group private practice, where she specializes in sex and couples therapy and treatment for anxiety disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
This presentation is worth 1 Category 1 CE credit for Washington-licensed NDs.
(Originally presented May 1-3, 2026, at WANP's 2026 annual conference.)
