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On Being a Certified Sexuality Educator On Being a Certified Sex Therapist
What is the mission of AASECT? What are the benefits to being an AASECT member?
On Being a Certified Sexuality Educator How do I become Certified as a Sexuality Educator? Where do I get training for Certification as a Sexuality Educator? How do I find Certified Sexuality Educators who live near me that I can talk with about AASECT? What kinds of jobs do Certified Sexuality Educators get? How much money do Certified Sexuality Educators make?
On Being a Certified Sex Therapist On a typical day as a Certified Sex Therapist, what do you do? What training or education is required to become a Certified Sex Therapist? Where do I get Education and Training in order to become a Certified Sex Therapist? Tell me more about supervision for sex therapy certification How do I find an AASECT Certified Supervisor in my area? What do I need to know about sending in my application for certification? Who can get certified as a sex therapist under special circumstances? How often and what do I need to know about renewing the certification? What personal qualities or abilities are important to being successful as a Certified Sex Therapist? What opportunities for advancement are there as a certified sex therapist? What are the salaries in the field of Sex Therapy? What is the difference between a Certified Sex Therapist and a Diplomate of Sex Therapy? What is the difference between a Certified Sexuality Counselor and a Certified Sex Therapist?
What kinds of problems can benefit from Sex Therapy? How do I find an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist in my area?
About AASECT
What is the mission of AASECT? Founded in 1967, the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT) is devoted to the promotion of sexual health by the development and advancement of the fields of sexual therapy, counseling, and education. The Association’s mission is to provide professional education and certification of sexuality educators, counselors, and therapists, as well as individuals who supervise sex therapists in training. AASECT also encourages research related to sexuality education, counseling, and therapy, and supports the publication and dissemination of professional materials related to these fields. To achieve its mission, AASECT offers a broad range of professional education, training activities, as well as advocacy.
Anyone who agrees and supports AASECT mission can join AASECT. One does not have to have any degree, or even be in the field of sexuality or mental health in order to join the organization. We welcome everyone.
What are the benefits to being an AASECT member?
Certification
&
Professional Standing: AASECT offers
certification of sexual health care
practitioners in four categories: sexuality
educator, sexuality counselor, sex
therapist, and supervisor. Certification in
these areas is intended to relate directly
to the realities of both the academic
community and clinical life.
Advocacy: AASECT actively advocates on issues pertaining to sexual health and sexual rights wherever and whenever the opinion of the professional expertise that we represent might exert a positive influence. AASECT opposes all psychological, social, cultural, legislative, and governmental forces that would restrict, curtail or interfere with the fundamental values of sexual health and sexual freedom that we espouse.
On Being a Certified Sexuality Educator
How do I become Certified as a Sexuality Educator? To become certified as a sexuality educator, you will need to meet the following requirements:
For detailed certification requirements and application forms click here.
Where do I get training for Certification as a Sexuality Educator? There are two basic approaches you can take to become certified as a sexuality educator.
First, you can earn an undergraduate or graduate degree in a related field and go on to obtain further education in human sexuality and work experience in sexuality education. For example, an individual who earns a bachelors degree in psychology goes on to work as a sexuality educator in a community-based organization for 4 years. As part of this work, the person receives further professional training in sexuality education from the place of employment, enrolls in several graduate human sexuality-related courses at a local college, joins AASECT and attends a Summer Institute, annual conferences (including a SAR), and locally approved workshops to obtain continuing education, and works with an AASECT certified educator in his or her area to meet the consultation requirement. In this “piecemeal” approach, the individual is able to acquire the education and experience necessary to meet the certification requirements.
The other option is to attend one of the few graduate programs in the United States that offers a degree specifically focused on human sexuality. You might want to check out the masters and doctoral programs at Widener University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is a modified distance learning program in which one class meets for two weekends over a semester. Thus, you do not have to live in Philadelphia to attend. It is an excellent program that will prepare you to teach about sexuality in a variety of settings. Visit www.widener.edu. There are a number of other training options – click here for graduate education programs.
Students can get started early in their education by becoming involved with campus peer education groups or by working as a teaching assistant. Others choose to volunteer at local organizations such as Planned Parenthood or HIV/AIDS related service providers.
If I am a graduate of the Widener University Program in Human Sexuality, What do I need to do in order to become Certified as an AASECT Sexuality Educator? An official transcript from the Masters or Doctorate in Human Sexuality Education Program at Widener University, will count as documentation for all of the education requirements in human sexuality (90 clock hours), Sexual Attitude Reassessment (10 clock hours), and all consultation requirement (minimum of 25 client contact hours). The rest of the requirements are the same for all applicants (see criteria and application form for sexuality education certification).
How do I find Certified Sexuality Educators who live near me that I can talk with about AASECT?
What kinds of jobs do Certified Sexuality Educators get? AASECT Certified Sexuality Educators work in a variety of settings including, but not limited to, public and community health organizations, non-profit organizations, colleges and universities, religious organizations, public and private secondary schools, and in private consultation practices. Sexuality educators often do professional development training as well as direct education and work with many different populations such as adolescents, parents, families, persons with mental and physical disabilities, clergy, teachers, counselors and therapists, businesses, and college students.
How much money do Certified Sexuality Educators make? Income varies widely depending on level of education and training, geographic locations, years of experience, and type of work. For example, an entry level community health educator at Planned Parenthood might make in the mid-20s to mid-30s (depending on the area), while a tenured university professor at a major research institution might make $80-100K.
On Being a Certified Sex Therapist
On a typical day as a Certified Sex Therapist, what do you do? This varies depending on the setting and the type of practice. In general a Certified Sex Therapist (CST) might see 5-9 appointments of 50 minutes length each per day. Usually there is a mixture of individuals and couples. Depending on their needs, the CST will take a detailed history, construct a problem list, and help formulate a set of goals and interventions to help resolve the problems. Usually a patient or client sees a CST on referral from another clinician, so the focus of therapy with the CST is almost always on a sexuality issue. Sometimes, however, a great deal of other work may need to be done, like treating depression or stabilizing the relationship, before the sexual concerns can be addressed.
What training or education is required to become a Certified Sex Therapist? To become a Certified Sex Therapist, one must have a minimum of a master's degree in a field leading to independent licensing or certification in a mental health profession. Among these degrees are nursing, social work, divinity, professional counseling, family and marriage therapy, psychiatry, and psychology. Many Certified Sex Therapists also choose to complete doctoral degrees in these or other fields as preparation for this profession.
Additionally, one must complete a number of qualifications for credentialing by AASECT. In general, one needs a combination of (1) specialty training (a minimum of 90 hours) in core subject areas of human sexuality; (2) specialty training (a minimum of 60 hours) in sex therapy; (3) attendance in a Sexual Attitude Reassessment seminar (minimum 10 hours); (4) documentation of field experience and approved supervision (a minimum of 50 hours) in sex therapy; and (5) AASECT membership and adherence to the standards of AASECT Code of Ethics.
What courses should I take in college or graduate school to prepare for a career as a Certified Sex Therapist? You should focus on courses that give you a broad basis in the humanities, in biological sciences, and in psychology and sociology. Obviously, if your school offers any courses about human sexuality or related topics (gender, relationships, marriage and family, etc.), take as many courses as you can.
In addition you should learn as much as you can about your own self and your capacity to set aside your own judgments when responding to the needs of others. A Certified Sex Therapist is first and foremost a good psychotherapist, so you want to also take as many courses which will help you become a psychotherapist as possible.
Where do I get Education and Training in order to become a Certified Sex Therapist? Some graduate education programs have correlated their programs of study with the AASECT standards and completion of these programs provides a “fast track” to apply for certification (If I am a graduate of the Widener University Program in Human Sexuality, What do I need to do in order to become Certified as an AASECT Sex Therapist?).
There are other programs that provide some of the training and experience necessary for certification, with or without awarding a separate graduate degree in human sexuality (Graduate Education Programs).
Many potential Certified Sex Therapists obtain their specialty training through attendance at AASECT conferences, Summer Institutes, and other AASECT sponsored workshops or institutes offered in various locations (Continuing Education and Events).
If I am a graduate of the Widener University Program in Human Sexuality, What do I need to do in order to become Certified as an AASECT Sex Therapist? An official transcript from the Masters or Doctorate in Human Sexuality Education Program at Widener University, will count as documentation for all of the education requirements in human sexuality (90 clock hours), all the education requirements in sex therapy training (60 clock hours), Sexual Attitude Reassessment (10 clock hours), and a minimum of 50 hours of clinical experience. The rest of the requirements are the same for all applicants (see criteria and application form for sex therapy certification).
Tell me more about supervision for sex therapy certification Once you have attained some of the required academic and practice criteria, you will need to obtain hours of supervised practice offered by an AASECT Certified Supervisor. You will need a minimum of 50 hours of supervision, unless you have been a practicing clinician for at least 15 years. In that case, you will need only a minimum of 25 hours of supervision. A listing of Certified Supervisors in your area is available here.
If an AASECT Certified Supervisor is not available to you for whatever reason, an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist may act as a supervisor. In that case, the Certified Sex Therapist and the candidate for certification should write a Supervision Contract (click here for example). The Certified Sex Therapist will then send the signed contract with a cover letter, and copies of the Certified Sex Therapist’s curriculum vitae and Certification to the AASECT office for approval of the supervision contract. This request must be approved before the supervisee candidate can begin his/her supervision toward certification.
How do I find an AASECT Certified Supervisor in my area? Not all AASECT Certified Supervisors or Certified Sex Therapists are listed on the website (click here). As an AASECT member, you will have access to our Member Directory which does list everyone. You will also have access to our members only free listserv where you could ask for suggestions and help with locating a supervisor.
If no AASECT Certified Supervisors or Certified Sex Therapists live near you, you can be supervised by a Certified Supervisor or a Certified Sex Therapist who lives further away. You can meet less frequently, for more than one session at a time. You can also do supervision via the telephone, internet, video, audio, or any other creative idea you can come up with.
What do I need to know about sending in my application for certification? Please make all of your information as clear as possible for the reviewing committee. This will make the process of evaluating your candidacy much easier for the reviewers. Copies of all supporting documents will need to be attached to the application. The review committee suggests that you include all syllabi related to your school course work in human sexuality in your documentation (if you had any). If you wish for the committee to review syllabi that included course material in human sexuality when the course itself was of a broader category, you should highlight such related classes for the committee’s oversight.
You will need to send four copies of the application and all supporting documents to the AASECT office, along with the application fee. The application needs to be legible, and completing and printing it directly from the computer is strongly preferred. It is recommended that you have each of the four copies bound in some form to prevent any accidental separation of your documents. When the national office has received everything from you, the application will be referred to a peer committee for review and endorsement of your application.
When you join AASECT you will have access to the resources of other members who may be available to mentor or advise you in your quest for certification. You can check for a local contact person by clicking on your state on the site map (click here.)
Who can get certificatied as a sex therapist under special circumstances? If you are a highly experienced therapist, you may qualify to apply for certification under “special circumstances.” If you have been practicing sex therapy for 15 or more years, and you are recognized by your peers locally, regionally, or nationally as a highly competent Sex Therapist, you may be eligible for this expedited certification process (click for link to “Sex Therapist Certification Under Special Circumstances”).
How often and what do I need to know about renewing the certification? Certification by AASECT is an honor and a privilege. You will be required to renew your certification three years after you were first certified, and then at five years intervals. In order to renew your certification, you will have to show continuous membership with AASECT and a minimum of 20 Continuing Education hours. The credential of AASECT Certified Sex Therapist is respected by the public and helps to ensure the highest quality of practice in the field of sex therapy.
What personal qualities or abilities are important to being successful as a Certified Sex Therapist? An individual who does this kind of work needs to feel comfortable with one's own sexuality and have enough experience in the field of mental health to be able to respond to a wide variety of sexual and non-sexual mental health issues. It is important to keep an open mind and avoid judgments. The Certified Sex Therapist should also have a thirst for knowledge and seek help and supervision when needed. If the therapist has had traumatic experiences in the past, these should be dealt with before attempting to help others with similar problems.
What entry-level jobs are best for learning as much as possible about becoming a certified sex therapist? Any entry-level job that gives you opportunities to treat a wide variety of mental and physical health problems would be ideal for learning. While you are still in school it is also very valuable to get experience working in student health centers, family planning organizations, support organizations for sexual assault, rape, HIV-AIDS, other STD-type clinics, and crisis support centers.
What opportunities for advancement are there as a certified sex therapist? Opportunities for advancement depend on the setting where you work and the kind of background you bring to the situation. Some Certified Sex Therapists have had opportunities to start a sexual health clinic at a major teaching university and to teach medical, nursing, and other students. Other Certified Sex Therapists have opened their own clinics, written famous books, and become spokespersons for new products. Some Certified Sex Therapists write articles for professional journals, for popular magazines, and for newspaper columns. One of the most direct opportunities for advancement might be in an academic setting, with research and writing as the measurable criteria. For the entrepreneur, private practice has many benefits.
What are the salaries in the field of Sex Therapy? As a Certified Sex Therapist in private practice, your income can vary greatly depending on where you are located, your degrees, your professional field, your experience and training, and the amount of public relations that you do.
What is the difference between a Certified Sex Therapist and a Diplomate of Sex Therapy? In 2001, AASECT decided to accept professionals’ requests to lower the strenuous requirements for certification as Sex Therapists. The new requirements ask for a minimum of 50 hours of supervision instead of 100 hours. The new requirements also ask for a minimum of 60 hours of training in sex therapy instead of 90 hours. The title Diplomate of Sex Therapy was thus established by AASECT to recognize those Certified Sex Therapists who were certified under the old, strenuous guidelines, and AASECT grandfathered them into a Diplomate in Sex therapy status. In general, the practice of sex therapy by either a Certified Sex Therapist or a Diplomate is quite similar.
What is the difference between a Certified Sexuality Counselor and a Certified Sex Therapist?
AASECT
certified sex therapists are mental health
professionals, trained to provide in-depth
psychotherapy, who have specialized in
treating clients with sexual issues and
concerns. They are either licensed, or in
the absence of available licensure,
certified, registered, or clinical members
of a national psychotherapy organization.
Using the
below P-LI-SS-IT* model for Sexual
Counseling, sexuality counselors are trained
to perform the initial three steps
(P-LI-SS), while sex therapists can provide
all four (P-LI-SS-IT). (*Annon, JS (1976) Behavioral Treatment of Sexual Problems: Brief Therapy. Harper & Row, ISBN: 0-06-140265-6)
About Sex Therapy
Sex Therapy is a subspecialty of psychotherapy, focusing on the specific concerns related to human sexuality. People of all ages, creeds, health status, ethnic backgrounds, whether partnered or single, may benefit from working with a psychotherapist who specializes in this area. Certified Sex Therapists use specialized clinical skills and theoretical knowledge to help people solve their sexual concerns.
In most states and provinces, Sex Therapy is not a separately licensed or regulated profession, just as child psychotherapy or geriatric psychotherapy is not government regulated beyond granting the basic license to practice therapy. To assure the public of highly qualified practitioners, AASECT provides voluntary certification to those therapists who have completed the rigorous certification process. Only those therapists who have met these qualifications may designate themselves as “AASECT Certified Sex Therapists.”
What kinds of problems can benefit from Sex Therapy? Typically people experiencing concerns about arousal, performance, or satisfaction are likely to benefit from Sex Therapy. Among these problems are decreased or increased desire for intimacy, or in the case of a couple, mismatched or discrepant desire or interest in sexual intimacy. Both men and women can experience concerns about arousal and there are many causes and options for solving these problems. At any age, performance or lovemaking skills can be of concern, just as can issues around orgasm and satisfaction.
Additionally concerns about sexual trauma in one’s background, medical conditions that affect one’s sexuality, sexual pain disorders, concerns about gender identity or sexual orientation, and issues around sexual compulsivity or addiction are frequent concerns that people discuss with a Certified Sex Therapist.
The Sex Therapy process is very similar to that experienced with other mental health practitioners. The Certified Sex Therapist will meet with the person as an individual or with a couple in an office setting where an extensive history of the concerns will be taken. The Certified Sex Therapist will note both the psychological and the physical components and will establish one or more diagnoses. After this, a treatment plan will be proposed, usually with your involvement in its development. In some instances, the Certified Sex Therapist may work closely with the person’s physician, nurse, or other therapist or counselor to establish causes and remedies for the problems.
Depending on the diagnosis, the Certified Sex Therapist will educate the person or couple about the issue and about options for change. This educational process may occur through suggested reading material, through watching educational audio-visual materials, through discussion with the therapist, through attending workshops, or all of these therapy processes. Sometimes having more information will allow the problem to resolve. Sometimes more specific or intensive therapy will be needed.
If more specific therapy is needed, the Certified Sex Therapist may suggest a regular schedule of office appointments. Often, homework exercises to be practiced individually or as a couple in the privacy of one’s home between office appointments will be suggested. The homework may be as general as communication exercises or as specific as actual sexual experiences, depending on the progress in therapy and the person’s level of comfort with accepting direction.
In no instances will a Certified Sex Therapist engage in any kind of sexual activity with a therapy patient/client, whether in the office or in any location. To do so is a breach of ethics, and in some states and provinces is a crime.
How do I find an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist in my area? To find an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist in your locale, click on the map here. If no one is listed in your area, please contact us, and we will try to help you locate a Certified Sex Therapist.
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©2004. American Association of Sexuality Educators
Counselors & Therapists (AASECT). All rights reserved. |