Consent is central to sex coach certification. Dr. Ley David Elliot Cray emphasizes advanced approaches such as meta-negotiation, power dynamics, and queering kink. SHA’s certification program equips coaches with the tools to guide clients through safe, inclusive, and empowering consent practices.

Kink is an essential topic in sex educator certification. Midori and the Sexual Health Alliance emphasize that kink is not solely trauma-driven, but a diverse and normal part of human sexuality. Understanding kink helps sex educators reduce stigma, provide safe exploration tools, and foster inclusive learning. Conferences like SHA’s Nonvanilla Weekend and Annual Conference in Denver offer unique opportunities for hands-on learning and community building.

Kink and neurodivergence intersect in meaningful ways that challenge stereotypes and expand our understanding of sexual diversity. Liam Wignall’s research indicates that 30–50% of individuals in certain kink communities display autistic traits, compared to 1–2% in the general population. This finding not only disrupts outdated notions that autistic people are asexual or uninterested in intimacy—it also suggests that kink environments, with their emphasis on clear communication, consent, and negotiated boundaries, can align closely with neurodivergent preferences.

The Sexual Health Alliance delivers inclusive, research‑based education across the spectrum of human sexuality—including kink. Through events, certifications, and community discussions, SHA helps dismantle stigma, promote ethical practices, and equip professionals to meet diverse client needs.

Kink informed therapy is a specialized, affirming approach to mental health care that embraces the diversity of human sexual expression, including BDSM and fetish practices. Informed by lived experience and professional insight, therapist Joe Zarate-Sanderlin shares how intersectionality, consent, communication, and curiosity form the foundation of ethical kink-informed care. The blog promotes SHA’s Kink-Informed Advanced Certification, a program designed to prepare professionals to work competently and compassionately with kink-involved clients.

The Sexual Health Alliance (SHA) offers a Sexuality Counselor Program that equips professionals with clinical training in human sexuality, gender, and pleasure. This certification is designed for therapists, educators, and coaches seeking to specialize in sexual health counseling. The program provides a progressive curriculum, flexible online learning, and access to a supportive professional community.

Graduate Courtney Johnson Benson credits SHA with helping her launch her private practice, Seasoned Sexuality, and shaping her career in clinical sexuality. SHA’s emphasis on lifelong learning, inclusivity, and real-world application makes it a top choice for those committed to transforming social narratives around sex and gender.

Learn how to apply, explore the program’s benefits, and join a global network of change-makers in the field of sexual health.

What is sex addiction therapy?

Sex addiction therapy traditionally treats compulsive sexual behavior using an addiction-based framework, often including abstinence and 12-step models. However, experts like Dr. David Ley challenge this model for increasing shame and avoiding accountability. New approaches, such as the Out of Control Sexual Behavior (OCSB) model, offer science-based, harm-reduction alternatives that empower clients without moral judgment.

What does a certified sex therapist think about sex addiction? Michael Vigorito explains why the traditional model is flawed, highlighting the role of shame, identity, and context in out-of-control sexual behavior. Learn how clinicians can adopt a more effective, compassionate approach—and how to get trained through SHA’s Problem Sexual Behavior certification.

This blog explores Dr. Daniel Watter’s expert perspective on why the term “sex addiction” may do more harm than good. Drawing from over 40 years of clinical experience, Dr. Watter critiques the limitations of diagnostic labeling and promotes an existential, individualized approach to treating out-of-control sexual behavior. He highlights the role of mortality, trauma, and cultural influences as deeper drivers of sexual behavior, urging therapists to move beyond rigid protocols toward compassionate, person-centered care. The post also invites readers to attend the Sexual Health Alliance’s upcoming online event, Rethinking Sex Addiction, to learn more.

What is sex coach certification?
Sex coach certification is professional training that equips individuals to support others in their sexual well-being through coaching, education, and communication strategies. It differs from therapy and focuses on goal-oriented client work.

Learn how sex therapists, educators, counselors, and clinicians can ethically use AI in their professional practice. Find out what AI can and cannot do, including tips on privacy, bias, and best practices. The post also includes recommended tools and real-world examples to support sexual health professionals in integrating AI responsibly.

In recent years, the mental health field has made significant strides toward recognizing the complexity of human sexuality. Yet, as Silva Neves—an acclaimed psychosexual and relationship psychotherapist based in London—reminds us, there is still work to be done, particularly when it comes to supporting LGBTQ+ individuals in clinical settings. In a recent interview, Silva shared invaluable insights about the limitations of sex addiction models, the importance of cultural competency, and how trauma, shame, and heteronormativity often intersect in ways that harm queer clients.

For professionals seeking to better serve their clients, or individuals seeking affirming care, working with an LGBTQ Certified Sex Therapist can be transformative. These clinicians bring a much-needed understanding of sexual diversity, relational nuance, and the broader social forces that shape intimacy and behavior.

How is it 2025, and we still do not recognize the full humanity of people with disabilities?

How have we climbed the invisible staircase of technological advancement and yet we cannot completely wrap our hearts around the tapestry of human connection threaded within us all?

My forays into the research world regarding sexuality and disability were motivated by the fact that I felt like I was an outsider. I felt as though dating, romance, and sexuality were the perpetual parties I was never invited to; the adorable guy who sat next to me in every class but never indicated anything beyond platonic interest; the secrets of collegiate enterprise that would never be whispered in my ear.

As sexual health becomes a more mainstream topic, professionals entering the field are exploring diverse and exciting paths. In a recent Sexual Health Alliance (SHA) poll, we asked: “What trend in sexual health careers do you find most exciting?” The top responses revealed how wide-ranging and innovative this field has become.

From SexTech to trauma-informed therapy, sexual health professionals are shaping the future through tech, advocacy, research, and clinical excellence. Whether you’re a clinician, educator, researcher, or entrepreneur, there’s a growing community and career path ready to support your goals.

When it comes to building a meaningful and impactful career in sexual health, your professional community matters. Whether you're seeking to expand your network, form lifelong friendships, collaborate with like-minded experts, or travel the world while deepening your knowledge, Sexual Health Alliance (SHA) offers all of this and more. In fact, we recently asked our community what kind of professional community matters most to them. The results reflect the diversity of goals and values within our growing network of professionals.

Below, we take a look at how SHA supports every aspect of your journey as an in-demand sexual health professional.

If you're passionate about helping others explore healthy, informed, and fulfilling sexual lives, you've likely come across the terms "sexologist" and "sex therapist." But what exactly do these titles mean? More importantly, what are the differences in certification, training, and career paths for each? In this blog, we’ll break down the definitions, responsibilities, and educational requirements for both roles. We’ll also highlight how the Sexual Health Alliance (SHA) offers the most respected and flexible training for professionals looking to grow their careers in the field of sexual health.

The term cuckolding often carries layers of cultural stigma and misunderstanding. But thanks to education from Sexual Health Alliance and open conversations on platforms like the “Cuck My Life” podcast, more people are exploring what this dynamic truly involves. In a recent interview hosted by Michelle Melville-Kashon, Community and Content Director at Sexual Health Alliance, podcast co-hosts Poboy and Hopeful offer an enlightening look at cuckolding as a consensual, emotionally rich, and deeply personal form of non-monogamy.

Welcome back, my beloved readers! I hope you are all doing well. We have just concluded Module 3 in the last article, but if you aren't familiar with me or my work, let me take a moment to introduce myself. My name is Emily Kane, and I am a 26-year-old artist who has found empowerment through education. My goal is to share the knowledge I've gained about sexual wellness to help others feel free from shame and discomfort surrounding sexuality. To achieve this, I am currently enrolled in SHA’s Sex Educator Certification program at SHA. In module 3, we covered everything about Sex and Power. Whether it was a power imbalance, finding self-empowerment through sex work, or simply finding joy in sex. 

When we step into the space of sexuality education and somatic healing, we are stepping into one of the most intimate terrains of the human experience. Sexuality is more than just physical—it’s emotional, relational, spiritual, and deeply tied to our sense of self. Similarly, somatic practices, which are grounded in body awareness and sensation, can unlock profound healing and understanding. However, as we bring together somatic methods and sexuality education, we must also tread carefully, ethically, and intentionally. 

I’m Dovie Gena, ABS, a passionate advocate for weaving somatic healing into sexuality education. It has been through my own path as a sexual health coach, and my years of supporting clients and students, that I’ve discovered how deeply intertwined the body, mind, and sexuality truly are. With this blog, I want to empower professionals working in this field by exploring how somatic practices enhance the learning process and how we can uphold essential ethical boundaries within our work. 

Consensual non-monogamy (CNM) is an umbrella term encompassing various relationship styles where all individuals involved agree that it's acceptable to pursue multiple romantic or sexual connections. In a recent conversation hosted by the Sexual Health Alliance, Michelle Melville-Kashon, SHA's Community and Content Director, interviewed Dr. Zhana Vrangalova, a renowned researcher on non-traditional relationships. Their discussion sheds light on the realities, challenges, and opportunities within consensual non-monogamy and offers valuable insights for both individuals and mental health professionals.