Sexual Health Conversations in Counseling: Exploring Comfort, Knowledge, and Practice

Title of Event: Sexual Health Conversations in Counseling: Exploring Comfort, Knowledge, and Practice

Description of Event:

Counselors, regardless of specialty, will likely need to engage in conversations about sexual health with clients at some point in their careers (Hipp & Carlson, 2019). Counselors and mental health professionals alike are found to be hesitant to engage in sexual health-related discussions with their clients (Bungener et a., 2022; Hipp & Carlson, 2019). The current literature notes various explanations, including but not limited to developmental appropriateness concerns, lack of knowledge or training, and avoidance due to personal discomfort (Berry & Lezos, 2017; Cardona et al., 2022; Hipp & Carlson, 2019), which create risks of rupturing the therapeutic relationship, missed opportunities for assessment and referral, and, in turn, potential client harm (Brammer & Goodrich, 2022). This hesitancy is evident across counselor experience levels (Canvin et al., 2023). Emerging research has demonstrated knowledge as an important factor in improving comfort with sexuality (Mize & Ausloos, 2026). It is important for counselors, both generalist and specialized, to understand the role of sexual health and wellness in counseling practice (Pope et al., 2024).

The webinar will explore the role of sexual health conversations within counseling practice and review current research related to counselor comfort, knowledge, and engagement with sexual health concerns. Ethical considerations and professional responsibilities related to addressing sexual health in counseling will also be discussed. Through case examples and reflective activities, attendees will examine factors that may facilitate or hinder engagement in sexual health conversations and consider how these factors may influence client care and clinical decision-making. Practical strategies for initiating and navigating sexual health conversations in ethical, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate ways will be provided.

Date of Event: September 18, 2026 (will be recorded)

Time of Event: 10am-12pm CT/ 8am-10am PT/ 11am-1pm ET

Location: Live through Zoom and Recorded

Sexuality Counseling (SC) Training:

SC1. Theory and methods of personal/individual counseling.
SC5. Ethical issues in sexuality counseling.
SC6. Theory and practice of consultation, collaboration and referral.

Presenter/Speaker: Jerry L. Mize, MA, MEd, LPC, NCC

Company/Organization Sponsor: Office of Continuing Education at The Chicago School in partnership with The Association for Counseling Sexology and Sexual Wellness

Contact Name: Christine Whitt

Contact Telephone Number: (727) 244-3130

Contact Email: cwhitt@thechicagoschool.edu

Event Website: https://tcsppofficeofce.com/sept_18_2026/

AASECT Approved CEs: 2.0