This spring, Sexual Health Alliance took the classroom beyond the screen and into the vibrant, cobblestone streets of one of the world’s most sex-positive cities—Amsterdam. For five unforgettable days, participants in SHA’s 2025 Study Abroad program experienced more than just sightseeing. They became immersed in a living, breathing global classroom where sex education, pleasure, and cultural understanding came together in powerful and deeply personal ways.

Whether it was a golden-hour cruise through Amsterdam’s historic canals or thought-provoking discussions over wine and stroopwafels, the SHA Study Abroad experience offered both professional growth and personal transformation. Led by renowned researcher Dr. Justin Lehmiller and a team of local educators, this program exemplified SHA’s mission: to provide world-class, inclusive, and experiential sexuality education that shapes not just careers—but lives.

If you're interested in becoming a sex therapist, you may be wondering: do you need a degree to get certified? The short answer is yes—to become a certified sex therapist through the Sexual Health Alliance (SHA), you need a master’s degree and a license to practice therapy. But there are also certification paths for educators, counselors, coaches, and consultants, each with different educational requirements. In this blog, we’ll walk you through the qualifications for SHA's sex therapy certification, explain how it differs from other organizations like AASECT, and share the many options available if you're just beginning your journey.

Starting or growing a sexual health business isn’t just about entrepreneurship—it’s about shaping the future of sex education, therapy, counseling, and coaching. At Sexual Health Alliance (SHA), we know the business side of this work can feel overwhelming, especially when your passion lies in helping others, not spreadsheets and sales funnels. That’s why we created the SHA Business Summit and SHA Business School—to help you turn your vision into a thriving, impactful business.

SHA offers a variety of certifications tailored to different approaches within the sexual health field. Let’s break down each path so you can discover the one that fits you best. And for those who can’t pick just one (we see you!), we’ll also cover our dual certification options at the end.

Let’s face it—there’s nothing inspiring about being average. In a field as vital, nuanced, and transformative as sexual health, “average” just isn’t good enough. That’s why at the Sexual Health Alliance (SHA), we say: F*ck Average, Be SEXceptional! It’s more than a bold tagline—it’s a call to action for those who are serious about standing out, showing up, and delivering life-changing impact in the field of sexuality.

From day one, SHA has been committed to providing more than just education. We deliver an experience that produces the most highly trained, radically informed, and deeply ethical professionals in the sexual health space. Whether you’re a therapist, educator, coach, or consultant, SHA prepares you to lead—not follow.

If you’ve been asking, “How many years does it take to be a sex therapist?”, you’re not alone. Many licensed mental health professionals, educators, and aspiring sexuality experts are curious about what it really takes to earn a sex therapy certification—and how long it will take to get there.

Here’s the good news: while traditional sex therapy certifications can take years, Sexual Health Alliance (SHA) offers a faster, more flexible pathway. In fact, many SHA students complete their sex therapy certification in just one year—and with the new Fast-Track program, it’s now possible to become certified in as little as eight months.

I've been documenting my progress in a series of articles as I work towards my certification with the Sexual Health Alliance. I'm halfway through my coursework, so don't worry—there will be plenty more content to come. 

Now, it's time to wrap up Module 3! In the first half of this module, we learned a great deal about ethical practices in therapy and significant discussion points to consider with our clients. Module 3 has been essential for understanding practical and emotional treatment and conversation approaches. While we must promote health, healing, and understanding, knowing how to prevent harm is equally crucial.

Even though the sex coaching industry isn't governed by a state licensing board, clients deserve knowledgeable, compassionate, and well-trained professionals. Certification from a respected program is how sex coaches can demonstrate their commitment to excellence, ethics, and client care.

That’s where the Sex Coach and Consultant Certification from the Sexual Health Alliance (SHA) comes in. SHA’s certification is designed for aspiring sex coaches who want to offer high-quality support with confidence and credibility. This well-rounded, comprehensive training provides the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive—without gatekeeping based on prior education or licensure.

If you’re a licensed mental health professional who’s passionate about helping individuals and couples with their sexual concerns, becoming a certified sex therapist can be a powerful next step in your career. Not only does certification elevate your expertise, it also signals to clients and colleagues that you have advanced, specialized training in a crucial and often underserved area of mental health. So, how do you become a certified sex therapist?

Sex coaching is a rapidly growing field that blends education, counseling, and personal development to support individuals and couples in achieving healthy, satisfying sexual lives. But many people still wonder: What does a certified sex coach actually do? The answer lies in a unique, client-centered approach that focuses on helping people reach their goals for sexual well-being without the lens of traditional therapy. Certified sex coaches help break down stigma, increase confidence, and empower clients with the knowledge and tools they need to thrive.

Earning your certification through Sexual Health Alliance (SHA) is a major achievement—one that reflects your deep commitment to inclusive, evidence-based training in sexual health. But here’s the truth: most graduates don’t fully leverage the power of their SHA credential. It’s time to change that.

By showcasing your SHA Certification across your professional platforms, you not only elevate your credibility—you also help strengthen the reputation of SHA-trained professionals everywhere. Here’s how and why to start using your SHA Certified title and badge today.

Pursuing sex therapy certification is an investment in your career and professional growth. For many therapists, educators, and counselors, this certification opens the door to new opportunities, higher earnings, and the ability to provide much-needed support for clients navigating sexual health concerns. But how much does it actually cost to become certified? At Sexual Health Alliance (SHA), our programs are designed to be affordable while offering unmatched value in the field of sex therapy education.

This past Sexceptional Weekend, I took a cross-cultural sexual health tour around the world with SHA. From learning about comprehensive sex education to hearing about ancient Roman contraception methods, I was mesmerized by the knowledge and curiosity all the speakers, educators, and sex-nerds (my kinda people) came with to this event! 

The demand for qualified sex therapists is growing as more individuals and couples seek professional guidance for intimacy, relationship, and sexual health concerns. If you’re a counselor, social worker, or mental health professional, obtaining a sex therapy certification can open doors to new opportunities, higher income potential, and the ability to provide specialized care that truly makes a difference. Let’s explore why getting certified in sex therapy is a smart move for your career in 2025, the financial benefits of certification, and how the need for sex therapists continues to rise.

As I move ahead in SHA’s sexuality counselor certification program, I have been thinking a lot about the growing language and understanding of diverse sexualities. The modules are loaded with research, data, interviews, articles, and personal anecdotes that encapsulate the past, present, and future explanations of sexual health and the importance of growth within the field. I am in awe of SHA’s ability to provide sexuality knowledge from across the globe and time! Here are some of the many incredible topics I dived deeper into Module 1.

The landscape of mental health and therapy is evolving, with clients increasingly seeking specialized support for their most intimate concerns. One area that is gaining recognition and demand is sex therapy. However, despite its importance, many therapists receive little to no formal training in sexual health. That’s where sex therapy certification comes in. Earning this credential can not only enhance your ability to support clients but also open doors to professional growth and credibility. Let’s chat about why sex therapy certification is essential for modern therapists, how it benefits private practice, and why Sexual Health Alliance (SHA) is the best place to get certified.

I am now halfway through my coursework with module 3! How crazy is that? But don't worry—I still have many more requirements to meet before we’re done with this journey. I have many conferences to attend and a capstone project to complete, and I plan to write about it all. I hope my readers will stick with me to see what I've got cooking with my final presentation!

When Gillian Anderson wore a vulva-embroidered dress to the Golden Globes in 2024, the internet exploded, calling it a “vagina dress.” But it wasn’t a vagina—it was a vulva. The fact that the distinction was lost on the general public? Not surprising. What is shocking, though, is that most doctors wouldn’t get it right either.

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to attend another Sexceptional Weekend with SHA as a sexuality counselor certification student! A two-day online conference discussing porn literacy, sex work, and decolonization of sex with sexuality nerds and experts–I mean, if this is not my fairytale set-up, I don’t know what is! 

Sexual concerns are among the most common yet least discussed issues in therapy sessions. Many therapists feel unprepared to address intimacy, desire, and sexual health challenges simply because graduate programs barely touch on these topics. That’s where sex therapy certification comes in. Getting certified gives therapists the knowledge and confidence to help clients with their most personal struggles, leading to better outcomes and a thriving private practice.