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Sex Therapist Certification Under Special Circumstances
Back to Certification
The
following document must be read and signed in order to become
certified as an AASECT Sex Therapist:
What is Expected of AASECT Certified Sex Therapists
Eligibility
AASECT recognizes that professionals can achieve competency in
sex therapy through avenues other than one prescribed in
the AASECT certification process. The AASECT certification
requirements, including intensive hours of supervision, help to
ensure that certified professionals have appropriate knowledge,
skill, experience, and ethical standards to provide quality
service to the public. Special circumstances do exist, however,
in which it is possible to definitively verify that a
candidate’s knowledge, skill, experience, and ethical standards
meet the AASECT standards for competency without having the
candidate undergo AASECT-supervised training.
Certification Under Special Circumstances will be offered to
professionals who are recognized by their peers locally,
regionally, or nationally as a highly competent sex therapist
and who can meet the following criteria:
I. Membership in AASECT:
The candidate holds Full, Institutional, Retired or Life
Membership in AASECT.
II. AASECT Code of Ethics:
The candidate has read the AASECT Code of Ethics, and documents
in writing agreement to be bound by the AASECT Code of Ethics.
III. Academic and Psychotherapy Experience:
The candidate will have earned an academic degree in a human
service program that included psychotherapy training from an
accredited college or university, and the following clinical
experience as follows:
A. A Master's degree and fifteen (15) years of clinical
experience (post Master’s degree) as a psychotherapist (20
hours/week x 50 weeks/year = 1,000 hours/year), or
B. A Doctorate degree and fifteen (15) years of clinical
experience (post Master’s degree) as a psychotherapist (20
hours/week x 50 weeks/year = 1,000 hours/year)
IV. Clinical Certification:
A. The candidate holds a valid state regulatory license or
certificate in one of the following disciplines: psychology,
medicine, social work, counseling, nursing, or marriage and
family therapy
OR
B. If such a regulatory system is not in effect in the state
where the applicant practices, one of the following criteria
will be met:
1. Listing in the National Register of Health Science Providers
in Psychology.
2. Certification by the Academy of Certified Social Workers (or
other recognized accrediting bodies in social work).
3. Clinical membership in the American Association of Marriage
and Family Therapy.
4. Certification by the American Nurses Association as a
Clinical Specialist or Nurse Practitioner in Adult Psychiatric
and Mental Health Nursing or as a Clinical Specialist or Nurse
Practitioner in Child and Adolescent Psychiatric and Mental
Health Nursing.
5. Certification by the National Board of Certified Counselors.
C. Applicants from outside the United States will document
equivalent certification.
V. Human Sexuality Education:
By means of transcripts, professional endorsements, or
documented professional activity, the candidate demonstrates a
thorough and broad-based knowledge of human sexuality.
VI. Sex Therapy Training and Experience:
By means of transcripts, professional endorsements, or
documented professional activity, the candidate demonstrates
competence in providing sex therapy, with experience of not less
than 500 hours of providing therapy for sexual dysfunctions and
disorders defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of
the American Psychiatric Association.
VII. Attitude/Values Training Experience:
By means of professional endorsement or documentation of
attendance at a SAR, the candidate gives evidence that he or she
has explored his/her own feelings, attitudes, values and beliefs
regarding human sexuality and sexual behavior so that they do
not interfere in the provision of care. Attendance at an AASECT-approved
SAR is highly recommended.
VIII. Application and Approval Process
Application
In addition to the appropriate application fee ($250), which is
non-refundable, the candidate will submit one copy of the
following:
1. Cover Sheet including:
· Candidates name and address
· AASECT certification being sought
· Academic degrees
· Certifications (other than AASECT) and/or licensure.
2. An official transcript from program(s) where degree(s) were
earned.
3. Copy of license, certification, or proof of membership in one
of the approved disciplines or professional organizations.
4. Curriculum Vitae.
5. A letter outlining the candidate’s work and training in the
field of sex therapy. (Further documentation should be supplied
upon request.)
6. A letter stating that the candidate has read the AASECT Code
of Ethics and agrees to be bound by the AASECT Code of Ethics.
7. Two letters of recommendation from professional colleagues
(at least one letter must be from a current AASECT-certified sex
therapist). Letters should attest that:
• The candidate is recognized locally, regionally, or nationally
as a competent sex therapist.
• The therapist’s professional conduct is ethical.
All documentation and will become the property of AASECT.
Approval
Upon receipt of a complete application package, AASECT will
forward the application to the Sex Therapist Certification
Committee for action and approval.
IX. Miscellaneous:
A. All certified members are required to comply with the ethical
standards established by AASECT as expressed in the AASECT Code
of Ethics.
B. Upon approval of the Sex Therapist Certification Committee,
the successful applicant will receive a certificate in
recognition of having met AASECT requirements for certification
in the area of sex therapy. This certificate will be subject to
renewal every three (3) years.
C. Each AASECT Certified Sex Therapist will be listed in the
National Register of AASECT. AASECT Membership Directory and will
be eligible to receive referrals from the National Office and
AASECT website.
D. Membership in AASECT will be maintained on an annual basis to
retain the AASECT certification status. If membership in AASECT
lapses, certification will also lapse.
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