Foundations in Professional Sexuality Practice

Title of Event: Foundations in Professional Sexuality Practice

Description of Event:

Engage in specialized training to explore the foundations of professionally practicing as a sexuality educator, counselor, and/or therapist in the field of sexuality. Focusing upon theory, research, and professional sexuality practice interventions, we will explore the relationship that individual, relational systems, and larger social systems share with sexuality. Facilitative learning will take place within small group discussions and deliberate practice sessions with participants simulating students, patients, and/or clients and consultation teams, along with guest speakers, lectures, and videos.

This course is offered in an intensive format consisting of four full-day class days (online synchronous) within a one-month period with 18-23 hours of asynchronous work (readings, discussions, opportunities to excel, assignments) between classes.

It is assumed that participants already have a foundation in general knowledge of basic anatomy, gender socialization, basic models of sexual arousal and response, as well as an overview of sexuality over the lifespan.

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

~ Identify the contextual variables that affect human sexuality

~ Recognize “self-of-the-professional”, your social location (e.g., class, gender, culture, sexual orientation, positionality, ethical self, etc.), and how it impacts your work

~ Apply the foundational framework for professional sexuality practices (i.e., PLISSIT [Permission, Limited Information, Specific Suggestions, Intensive Therapy] Framework)

~ Review and discuss consensual sexual health communication practices

~ Articulate and demonstrate field-based ethics, ethical behavior, and professionalism

~ Demonstrate understanding of foundational sexual health elements (e.g., pleasure, sexual and reproductive anatomy/physiology, etc.)

Please note that some assessment will occur after the last class date.

Date of Event: July 3, 11, 12, 18, 19, 2026

Time of Event: July 3: 1:00 - 3:00 pm ET, remaining sessions 10:00 am - 6:00 pm ET

Location: Online Synchronous

Sexuality Education (SE) Training: 
SE1. Sexuality education training will include, but is not limited to: theory and methods of general education (including curriculum development, delivery and evaluation).
SE2. Theory and methods of sexuality education (including curriculum development, delivery and evaluation).
SE3. Ethical issues in sexuality education.
SE4. Theory and methods of approaches to sexuality education with specific populations (e.g., youth, older adults, couples, ethnic/ cultural/ faith-based populations, LGBTQ people, people with disabilities).
SE5. Theory and methods of different approaches to sexuality education delivery (e.g., small group work, one-on-one education, large group lectures or interaction, online delivery or use of other electronic means).

Sexuality Counseling (SC) Training: 
SC1. Theory and methods of personal/individual counseling.
SC2. Theory and methods of sexuality counseling approaches to specific populations (e.g., youth, older adult, couples, LGBTQ people, people with disabilities, ethnic/ cultural/ faith-based populations).
SC3. Theory and methods of different approaches to intervention in relationship systems.
SC4. Theory and methods of decision-making concerning sexually related medical interventions.
SC5. Ethical issues in sexuality counseling.
SC6. Theory and practice of consultation, collaboration and referral.

Sex Therapy (ST) Training:
ST1. Theory and methods of sex-related psychotherapy, including several different models.
ST2. Techniques of sex-related assessment and diagnosis of the Psychosexual Disorders described in the current edition of the DSM.
ST3. Theory and methods of approach to intervention in relationship systems experiencing sex and intimacy problems.
ST4. Theory and method of approach to medical intervention in the evaluation and treatment of psychosexual disorders.
ST5. Principles of consultation, collaboration and referral.
ST6. Ethical decision-making and best practice.

Presenter/Speaker: Dr. Markie Twist with Kei Skeide, Sandy Maclean, Terry Roberton, Al Roemer, Eric Rogers, Nosipho Mary-Jane Dhladhia, and Juliet Sullivan

Contact Name: Jill Ferguson

Contact Telephone Number: (519) 824-4120

Contact Email: jifergus@uoguelph.ca

Event Website: https://courses.scs.uoguelph.ca/search/publicCourseSearchDetails.do?method=load&courseId=41391059

AASECT Approved CEs: 36