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AASECT REQUIREMENTS FOR SEX
THERAPIST CERTIFICATION
(Board Approved
Updates March 9, 2011)
The American
Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT) has
established that the following education and experiential activities will meet
the requirements for certification as a Sex Therapist.
I. Membership in AASECT:
The applicant may hold Full, Institutional, Retired or Life Membership in
AASECT.
II. AASECT Code of Ethics:
The applicant will have read the AASECT Code of Ethics. By signing
the certification application form, the applicant agrees to be bound by the
AASECT Code of Ethics.
III. Academic and Psychotherapy Experience:
The applicant 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. Master's degree plus two years of post-degree clinical experience or as a
psychotherapist (20 hours/week x 50 weeks/year = 1,000 hours/year).
OR
B. A Doctorate degree plus one year of post-degree
clinical experience as a psychotherapist (1000 hours/year).
IV. Clinical Certification:
A. The applicant will hold 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 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
3. Clinical Membership in the American Association for Marriage and Family
Therapy.
4. Certification by the American Nursing Association as a Clinical Specialist
or Nurse Practitioner in Adult Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing 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
V. Human Sexuality Education:
The applicant will have completed a minimum of ninety (90) clock hours of
education covering general knowledge in the following core areas. Education
should be from an accredited university or college, may include AASECT CE
credits, or be a combination of both.
A. Sexual and reproductive anatomy and physiology.
B. Developmental sexuality (from conception to old age) from a psychobiological
perspective.
C. Dynamics of interpersonal relationships.
D. Gender‑related issues.
E. Socio-cultural (ethnicity, religion, socioeconomic status) factors in sexual
values and behavior.
F. Marital Partnering and family dynamics.
G. Medical factors that may influence sexuality including illness, disability,
drugs, pregnancy and pregnancy termination, contraception and fertility,
sexually transmitted diseases.
H. Knowledge of sexually transmitted infections and safer sex practices.
I. Sex research/literature.
J. Sexual abuse.
K. Varieties of sexual orientation and gender identities.
L. Atypical sexual behavior, hyper-sexuality, and sexual dysfunction.
M. Substance abuse and sexuality.
N. History of the discipline of sexology.
It is expected that
the applicant document at least three (3) clock hours (1 clock hour = 60
minutes) per content area listed above (A-N). The remaining hours can be
spread as desired amongst the thirteen core areas, with a maximum of twenty (20)
hours in any one area.
VI.
Sex Therapy Training:
The applicant will have completed a minimum of (60) clock hours of training in
how to do therapy with patients/clients whose diagnoses include the
Psychosexual Disorders described in the current edition of the Diagnostic and
Statistics Manual of the American Psychiatric Association (DSM IV). Sex therapy
training may have been obtained through credit courses, tutorials, workshop,
etc. The following must have been included:
A. Theory and methods of sex-related psychotherapy, including several different
models.
B. Techniques of sex-related assessment and diagnosis of the Psychosexual
Disorders described in the current edition of the DSM IV.
C. Theory and methods of approach to intervention in relationship systems
experiencing sex and intimacy problems.
D. Theory and method of approach to medical intervention in the evaluation and
treatment of psychosexual disorders.
E. Principles of consultation, collaboration, and referral.
F. Techniques for evaluating clinical outcomes.
G. Practicum experience, i.e. exposure to treatment of clinical cases through
observation, demonstration, videotape presentation, role-playing, etc.
Note: The difference between the requirements V and VI is that the education
requirements in V are directed at general knowledge about human sexuality,
while the training requirements in VI are directed at specific skills in sex
therapy. The two overlap, but they are sufficiently different that
documentation is necessary in each.
VII.
Attitudes/Values Training Experience:
The applicant will have participated in a minimum of ten (10) clock hours of
structured group experience consisting of a process‑oriented exploration
of the applicant's own feelings, attitudes, values, and beliefs regarding human
sexuality and sexual behavior (e.g., a SAR). Such training may not be personal
psychotherapy or an academic experience in which the primary emphasis is on
cognitive information. It is strongly recommended that this experience occur
early in the applicant's training to be most beneficial.
It is preferred that
the SAR be AASECT sponsored or approved.
The applicant will submit a one page comprehensive statement of
his/her professional philosophy and goals of sex therapy including how the SAR
affected that philosophy.
VIII.
Clinical Experience:
The applicant will have completed a minimum of two hundred fifty (250) hours of
supervised clinical treatment of patients/clients who present with sexual
concerns. Clinical experience will include, but not be limited to, the
diagnosis and treatment of psychosexual dysfunctions (diagnoses included in the
Psychosexual Disorders of the DSM IV). It is expected that the applicant will
function as the sole or primary therapist with patients/clients. This clinical
experience will have exposed the applicant to a variety of the listed
psychosexual disorders and will have included therapy with patients/clients of
both genders and with couples. This supervised experience must be started only
after the applicant has completed the terminal degree.
Note: Supervised clinical work is the crux of certification.
It is in the therapy milieu in which competency is demonstrated.
IX.
Supervision:
The applicant shall have completed a minimum of fifty (50) hours of
individual supervision with an AASECT Certified Supervisor or AASECT Certified
Sex Therapist. Where such supervision is not feasible or possible, supervision
can be arranged, with prior approval, from an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist
who has been certified for a minimum of 3 years.
Only current,
certified members of AASECT can provide supervision or consultation for
applicants seeking certification.
All individuals beginning individual supervision toward
AASECT sex therapy certification must be members of the organization at the
time the supervision contract begins.
All supervisors must prepare and
submit a supervision contract for each sex therapy supervisee prior to
commencing individual supervision, in order to open a file for the supervisee. Contracts
between a supervisee and a non-certified AASECT supervisor must be
pre-approved by the Practitioner Supervisor committee, which also requires
review of the proposed supervisor's curriculum vita. Contracts of certified
AASECT supervisors need not be formally approved by the Practitioner Supervisor
committee. All contracts should follow the format presented under “AASECT
Guidelines for Supervision.”
Supervision hours accrued prior to
or without a contract on file will NOT count toward certification. Applicants
who do not submit supervision contracts in advance to open a file and, for
those receiving supervision from an AASECT certified therapist, do not obtain
advanced approval of the contract, will have their applications rejected.
The proposed supervisor is responsible for formulating
and submitting the contract/plan. (See: AASECT Supervision Designate
Endorsement Form.)
The goal of supervision will have been directed toward the improvement of
professionalism by emphasis upon the enhancement of clinical skills and the
continuation of the educative process. The presentation of sex-related case
materials utilizing direct observation or audio/video is encouraged. Cases
selected for supervision should be, as much as possible, followed from the
beginning to the end of the clinical process.
Supervision
can take place in either an individual or group context, with group supervision
accounting for no more than 50% of the supervision hours.
Group
supervision, to be most effective, should contain no more than 4 supervisees
per individual supervisor and, where possible, should be extended beyond one
hour. If two supervisors meet together to do group supervision, they may
have 5-8 supervisees in the group. The time that each group meets should
be equivalent to one hour per each supervisee. (If there are 4
supervisees, the group should then meet for four hours). Each supervisee
will be awarded however many hours the group meets as that many hours of GROUP
supervision. (If the group meets for 3 hours with 3 supervisees, each
supervisee will be credited with 3 hours of group supervision time).
Supervision sessions are not permitted to last for more than 4 hours per
session. Supervision must occur over a period of no less than six (6) months
and it is strongly suggested that it be longer.
An applicant with a minimum of fifteen (15) years of post-degree
clinical experience (including working with couples), will require twenty-five
(25) hours of supervision (50% percent of which is individual supervision) and
an endorsement of clinical skill history by an AASECT certified sex therapist.
Creative plans and uses of supervision will be considered. Questions about
supervision arrangements should be directed to the Supervision Certification
Committee via the AASECT office.
The following do not meet the supervision requirements:
A. Personal psychotherapy or counseling.
B. A process that is primarily didactic, such as a workshop or seminar, in
which the primary focus is teaching rather than the raw data of the
supervisee’s clinical practice.
C. Management and/or administrative meetings with an organizational director or
executive.
D. Peer supervision.
E. Co‑therapist supervision.
F. Supervision from a family member or significant-other person.
G. Supervision from a colleague with whom one is involved in a partnership.
X.
Application and Approval Process:
Application
In addition to the appropriate application fee ($250), which is
non-refundable, the candidate will submit one copy, one sided with no binding
or staples, of the following:
A. Completed formal application for AASECT Certified Sex Therapist,
signed and dated.
B. An official transcript from program(s) where degree(s) were earned (Item III).
C. Copy of license, certification, or proof of membership in one of the
approved disciplines or professional organizations (Item IV).
D. Official transcripts, attendance certificates, syllabi, etc, documenting
ninety (90) hours of education in the designated core areas of human sexuality
(Item V).
E. Official transcripts, attendance certificates, syllabi and other credible
evidence documenting 60 hours of training in sex therapy that includes the
designated areas of focus (Item VI).
F. Official documentation of participation in a structured group experience
focusing on sexual attitudes and values e.g., a SAR (Item VII).
G. Letter(s) from employers and/or supervisor(s) certifying a minimum of two
hundred fifty (250) hours of clinical experience services as the sole or
primary therapist for patients/clients with diagnosed Psychosexual Disorders
(DSM IV) (Item VIII).
H. Endorsements must be received from the following persons on the appropriate
forms:
1. A clinical supervisor attesting to the applicant's supervised clinical work.
2. A professional colleague who can comment on the applicant's professional
responsibilities, professional ethics and overall ability as a sex therapist.
3. A character reference from a professional psychotherapist outside the
applicant's immediate work setting.
The applicant should clearly mark each document in their application so that
the document can easily be matched with the certification requirement to which
it applies. All documentation 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.
XI. 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 Committee on Sex Therapists, 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 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.
WHAT COUNTS AS CE CREDITS TOWARDS AASECT CERTIFICATION
The
minimum requirement for certification as a Certified Professional is:
10 CEs (hours) of SAR + 90 CEs (hours) of human sexuality education + 60
CEs (hours) of training specific to sex therapy.
SAR
(10 CEs)
It is preferred
that the SAR be AASECT sponsored or approved CEs.
Human Sexuality Education (90 CEs)
It is preferred that the 90 CEs (hours) of human sexuality education be
acquired via university coursework. However, in some
instances where attendance at university courses is impossible or creates undue
hardship, AASECT will consider recognizing a combination of the following
alternate mechanisms for accruing CEs.
NB:
Of the 90 CEs
(hours) of human sexuality education, distance learning (such as the inserts in
Contemporary Sexuality) can only count for a maximum of 30 CEs.
The
applicant must have at least 30 hours of AASECT sponsored or approved and
60 hours of a combination of the following:
1. Tutorials
by an AASECT certified supervisor or sex therapist (various reading
requirements and extensive discussion/dialogue, verified by a letter from the
tutor). Up to a maximum of 30 AASECT credits.
Certified sex therapists who are not certified
supervisors, should have their tutorials approved by AASECT in advance.
In unusual circumstances, 60 AASECT credits may be awarded, if this was
approved in advance by AASECT.
2. Non-AASECT
sponsored or approved sexuality education (2 hours = 1 AASECT credit).
This does not apply to courses taken at a university or college. Distance
learning in this category can only count for a maximum of 20 AASECT
credits.
3. Publication
of a sexually related book. The book must meet AASECT criteria as
determined by the certification committee. Each book = up to 10
credits, depending on the subject, content, and length of the book, as
determined by the certification committee. If there is more than one
book, each book has to be about a completely different sexually related topic.
4. Publication
of a paper in a professional journal or a chapter in a text book. The
content must be about some aspect of human sexuality, and the journal or book
must meet AASECT criteria as determined by the certification committee. Each
article or chapter = up to 5 AASECT credits. If there is more than
one paper or chapter, each of them has to be about a completely different
sexually related topic.
5. Editing
of collected works, books, or journals about sexually related issues.
The certification committee will determine if the edited work meets AASECT criteria. Each edited work = up to 10 AASECT
credits. If there is more than one edited work, each work has to be
about a completely different sexually related topic.
6. Master’s
theses about some aspect of human sexuality. Up to 5 AASECT
credits.
7. Doctoral
dissertation about some aspect of human sexuality. Up to 15 AASECT
credits.
8. Designing
and conducting a sexually related training or sexual enrichment program for
AASECT members (sponsored or approved by AASECT). Up
to a maximum of 15 hours of presentation.
9. Designing
and conducting a sexually related training or sexual enrichment program for a
non-AASECT setting, or one not sponsored by AASECT. The certification
committee will determine whether the teaching experience meets AASECT
criteria. Up to a maximum of 10 hours of
presentation.
Sex
Therapy Training (60 CEs)
A. All
60 hours AASECT sponsored or approved CEs. Distance learning
(like the inserts in CS), however, can only count for a maximum of 20 CEs.
OR
B. At
least 20 hours AASECT sponsored or approved CEs (in that case, distance
learning can only count for a maximum of 7 CEs) and 40 hours of a
combination of the following:
1. Tutorials
by an AASECT certified Supervisor or Sex Therapist (various reading
requirements and extensive discussion/dialogue, verified by a letter from the
tutor). Up to a maximum of 20 AASECT credits.
Certified Sex Therapists who are not Certified
Supervisors, should have their tutorials approved by AASECT in advance.
Under unusual circumstances, 40 AASECT credits may be awarded, if this was
approved in advance by AASECT.
2. Non-AASECT
sponsored or approved sexuality education (2 hours = 1 AASECT credit).
This does not apply to courses taken at a university or college. Distance
learning in this case, can only count for a maximum of 13 AASECT credits.
3. Publication of
a sex therapy related book. The book must meet AASECT criteria as
determined by the certification committee. Each book = up to 10
credits, depending on the subject, content, and length of the book, as
determined by the Certification Committee. If there is more than one
book, each book has to be about a completely different sexual related topic.
4. Publication of
a paper in a professional journal or a chapter in a text book. The
content must be about some aspect of sex therapy, and the journal or book must
meet AASECT criteria as determined by the Certification Committee. Each
article or chapter = up to 5 AASECT credits. If there is more than
one paper or chapter, each of them has to be about a completely different
sexualyl related topic.
5. Editing of
collected works, books, or journals about sex therapy. The
Certification Committee will determine if the edited work meets AASECT
criteria. Each edited work = up to 10 AASECT credits. If
there is more than one edited work, each work has to be about a completely
different sexual related topic. The maximum number of credits available for
editing is 10 credits.
6. Masters theses
specifically written about some aspect of sex therapy. Up to 5
AASECT credits.
7. Doctoral
dissertation specifically written about some aspect of sex therapy. Up
to 15 AASECT credits.
8. Designing and
conducting a sex therapy training or sexually enrichment program for AASECT
members (sponsored or approved by AASECT). Up to a maximum
of 15 hours of presentation.
9. Designing and
conducting a sex therapy related training or sexually enrichment program for a
non-AASECT setting, or one not sponsored by AASECT. The certification
committee will determine whether the teaching experience meets AASECT
criteria. Up to a maximum of 10 hours of
presentation.
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Counselors & Therapists (AASECT). All rights reserved. |