If you’re looking for a sex therapist or a mental health professional checking out the competition, you’ve probably come across a few providers who list themselves as American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT) certified sex therapists, or CSTs. Sex therapy certification prepares professionals to work with clients who might be experiencing sexual issues such as desire discrepancies, unwanted attraction, or painful sex, among others. The difference between sex therapists and other mental health professionals can be significant.
You may be surprised to learn that mental health professionals receive little education or training in human sexuality. Sexuality may be included in coursework about domestic violence and compulsive behavior, meaning the information may be sex-negative without sex-positive education to balance it out. Sex therapy training ensures that professionals get information from both sides to better help their clients. Working with a certified sex therapist offers the ability not just to decrease unwanted behaviors but also to increase sexual satisfaction.
Earning AASECT sex therapy certification requires 90 hours of sex education across multiple core knowledge areas such as research methods, gender identity, kink, ethical non-monogamy, sexual orientation, and relationships and communication, among others. This education is paired with 60 hours of training that teaches how to provide sex therapy to clients, 30 of which must be completed in-person. An important component of this training is a sexual attitude reassessment or SAR, which helps the sex therapist identify biases about sexuality that might change how they interact with their clients. Although counselors or therapists without sex therapy training may feel qualified to help with sexual issues, their abilities might be limited due to biases they don’t recognize because they haven’t attended a SAR.
Before someone can apply for sex therapist certification, they need “an advanced clinical degree that included psychotherapy training from an accredited college,” which could be a degree in marriage and family therapy (MFT), mental health counseling, or clinical social work. AASECT also requires clinical experience based on the type/length of degree. Candidates need two years of post-degree clinical experience if they have a master’s degree and one year of they have a doctoral degree.
Professionals can earn sex therapy certificates or certification through organizations, including universities, besides AASECT. While all of these programs are designed to provide additional information to therapy professionals, which they use to help their clients with sexual concerns, differences in program length and content may exist. Most programs list how many continuing education units (CEUs) or credits (CEs) can be earned, so potential clients can compare the program requirements if they’re deciding between different providers who are certified by organizations other than AASECT. Some programs go beyond the hours (credits) required by AASECT, but an AASECT-certified sex therapist will always have at least 150 hours (90 education + 60 training).
Another difference in various sex therapy certification programs revolves around supervision, which is required for AASECT certification but may not be provided by all organizations offering training and education. AASECT certification candidates must complete 18 months supervised clinical sex therapy. Sexual Health Alliance offers a supervision option with its sex therapy certification program. But some training organizations only provide education and no supervision, so their certificates are not equivalent to AASECT certification.
Many programs are designed to meet AASECT’s sex therapy certification requirements, however. Sexual Health Alliance is one of those, and students will end SHA’s programs with a packet they can use for the application for AASECT certification to streamline the process. After earning AASECT certification, a sex therapist will appear in their Referral Directory, which is searchable by location and a good way to get more exposure if you’re a provider. To remain in the directory, sex therapists must renew their AASECT certification every three years, which requires 20 continuing education credits. This ensures any sex therapist you’re considering at least has some current education about human sexuality.
If you’re struggling to narrow down your choice of sex therapist, a good rule of thumb is to look for a provider within your state, even if you’re interested in online therapy. Therapists may not be able to work with clients in other states, especially if you’re using insurance to pay for therapy services. Respark, SHA’s sister therapy company, offers several forms of sex therapy throughout Texas and Colorado. Furthermore, some sex therapists focus on specific issues or topics. For example, you might need a sex therapist who specializes in polyamory or kink, one that can provide LGBTQ+ affirmative sex therapy, or someone who specializes in trauma.
No matter the location or specialization of a sex therapist, AASECT certification offers reassurance that the provider can provide services to clients that even an advanced degree often doesn’t promise.
By Nicole Martinez