How to Choose Which SHA Certificate Program is Right For You?
The Sexual Health Alliance is privileged enough to host seven–and counting!--certificate programs for perspective students to join. From the basics of Sex Therapy and Sexual Education to the intricate dealings of becoming Kink-Informed or certified in Consensual Non-Monogamy, SHA offers guidance on it all. While having options is great, it can make narrowing down one’s decision harder. So how do you choose which SHA Certificate Program is right for you? Review our helpful guide to assist you in choosing your SHA journey.
Every perspective SHA student should ask themselves two questions:
What is your highest level of education?
Firstly, consider your highest level of education. You are welcome to apply to our Sex Coach & Consultant Certificate program with an Associate’s Degree or higher, while our Sex Educator Certificate and Sex Counseling Certificate require at least a Bachelor’s Degree to apply. Please know that in order to be admitted into our Sex Therapist Certification program, prospective students must have graduated with a Master’s Degree in counseling or Mental Health or are currently in progress with this degree. You will NOT be able to graduate with your SHA certification until your degree is earned as licensure is required to become SHA and/or AASECT certified.
In the future, do you want to become AASECT certified?
Secondly, are you interested in becoming AASECT certified? If you’re not sure what this means, catch up on the terminology through SHA’s blog post. Once graduating, every SHA student (regardless of certificate program) will receive a compiled Do-It-For-You AASECT certification application, including your certificate hours, ready for you to complete with the necessary reflection questions before turning in for certificate consideration. Should you not be interested in becoming AASECT-certified, SHA is still a superior choice for these certificate programs.
Once you’ve considered these two questions, it is finally time to look at the individual programs and create the sex-ceptional career of your dreams.
SHA’S SEX THERAPY CERTIFICATE
This program is for mental health professionals who are either currently enrolled in a Master’s program or have graduated with a Master’s Degree in Counseling or Mental Health. SHA’s certificate program grows off of the in-depth psychotherapy training these students have already received. Sex therapists, like all talk therapists, work with clients and their mental health concerns, but with the added specialty of sexual concerns. SHA’s Sex Therapy Certification prepares mental health professionals to provide comprehensive, non-judgemental, intensive psychotherapy regarding any sexual or sexuality issues the client may be facing.
SHA’S SEX EDUCATOR CERTIFICATE
This program is for those looking to lead workshops, teach classes, facilitate seminars, or provide lectures on sexual education, and requires at least a Bachelor’s Degree (either currently enrolled or already obtained) in order to apply. Sexuality educators may teach in the classroom at the elementary, secondary, and higher education levels, and/or choose to work outside of school and create training for professionals of all kinds. SHA’s Sex Educator Certification prepares educators to design and conduct workshops, contribute to sexuality education literature, develop curriculum, provide one-on-one client education sessions, and more.
SHA’S SEX COUNSELING CERTIFICATE
This program is for those working in a clinical, medical, or other advice-giving profession and requires at least a Bachelor’s Degree (either currently enrolled or already obtained) in order to apply. Sexuality counselors can be Planned Parenthood counselor, nurse or other health professional, school mentor, and more. Sexuality counseling is generally short-term and focuses on an immediate concern or problem. SHA’s Sex Counselor Certification prepares counselors for facilitating difficult conversations, celebrating sexual joy, and creating constructive and productive plans for their clients.
SHA’S SEX COACH & CONSULTING CERTIFICATE
This program is designed as a great first step for those interested in the sexuality field but may come from a different background. This program requires at least an Associate’s Degree (either currently enrolled or already obtained) in order to apply, which allows for more people from all backgrounds to join this burgeoning field. SHA’s Sex Coach & Consultant Certification prepares coaches and consultants for facilitating difficult conversations and celebrating sexual joy either one-on-one or in a group setting.
SHA’s Specialty Certifcation Programs
On top of our core certification programs, SHA offers specialty certificates for those looking to expand their knowledge and offerings to clients. For each of these programs, prospective students are required to either be currently enrolled in an accredited Bachelor’s Degree program or have already graduated with their degree.
SHA’s Kink-Informed Certificate program, taught in partnership with Midori, is for sexuality experts interested in gaining experience working with kinky clients or patients. This training explores the wonders of kink, BDSM, and alternative sexualities.
SHA’s Consensual Non-Monogamy program, taught in partnership with Dr. Eli Shaff, is for sexuality experts interested in learning more about all types of relationships, including but not limited to being monogamish, open, swinging, and polyamory. This program provides the collaborative tools and background necessary to help clients or patients in deciphering and understanding their potential relationships.
Finally, SHA’s Problem Sexual Behavior Certificate program taught in partnership with Michael Vigorito and Dr. David Ley, is for therapists and sexuality professionals interested in helping people who are concerned with their sexual behavior. This program prepares its students to discuss all arguments around “sex addiction” claims, one’s relationship to pornography, the impact of religion and high morality on the topic, and other “compulsive” sexual happenings.