StaRT PSB Training AND GET CERTIFIED
Welcome to the Sexual Health Alliance’s Problem Sexual Behavior Certification Program! We are so glad you’re here. This is an exclusive certificate program in problem sexual behavior taught by the Sexual Health Alliance and international experts, Dr. David Ley and Michael Vigorito, along with more premier leaders in the sexuality field.
Even with the best of intentions, many professionals lack access to additional training that would allow for their practice to be truly sex-positive. Lack of current education can potentially lead to causing harm to the client by unknowingly introducing sex-negative stereotypes or misinformation in the session. With this training, your repertoire of treatment is greatly expanded.
Our Problem Sexual Behavior certification program provides you with the training to conduct client assessments and plan treatment accordingly while conceptualizing everything in a healthy, sex-positive framework that works to reduce sexual shame. In this program, you will learn the tools for clients to develop hearty support systems, healthy coping skills, and enact positive change in their lives. Additionally, this certification program assists you in understanding and negotiating your client’s sexual needs, identifying any moral or religious conflicts that may affect sexual function, and approaching any problem sexual behavior that might pose risk to the client or others.
Sexual Health Alliance along with Dr. David Ley and Michael Vigorito, have created PSB, the Problem Sexual Behavior Certification Program that educates therapists, coaches, educators, as well as other sexuality experts about any sexual behavior that might pose problematic, such as pornography or other sexually explicit material, and the most-current and positive treatment for such issues.
WHO IS THIS PROGRAM FOR?
A training and consultation program for therapists and sex therapists* interested in helping people who are concerned about sexual behavior problems or identify as sexually addicted or compulsive. This program is also open to anyone that is already in the SHA Certification program (e.g., coaches, educators, counselors, and consultants).
*PROFESSIONALS THAT ARE NOT THERAPISTS AND/OR NOT IN THE SHA CERTIFICATION PROGRAM MAY BE ACCEPTED UPON REVIEW. PLEASE EMAIL US WITH YOUR INTEREST AND INFORMATION.
PROBLEM SEXUAL BEHAVIOR CERTIFICATION PROGRAM CORE CURRICULUM
This program consists of 12 modules. Though this program has already started, there is still time to apply! If accepted, you will receive access to the previous modules. Each module builds on the previous, expanding your knowledge to gain a full picture. The journey looks like this:
Module 1: Foundation and History
Module 2: Sexual Health
Module 3: Conceptualization and Assessing
Module 4: Non-Consent
Module 5: Self-Regulation
Module 6: Relationship Issues
Module 7: Erotic Conflicts
Module 8: Neuroscience and Sex
Module 9: Sexual Diversity
Module 10: Sexual Diversity cont.
Module 11: Interventions
Module 12: Future Directions
WHAT’S INCLUDED IN THE PROBLEM SEXUAL BEHAVIOR CERTIFICATE PROGRAM
As with all of the Sexual Health Alliance’s certification programs, this Problem Sexual Behavior program is as extensive as it is detailed. This program offers a well-rounded curriculum with exciting new additions to assist in your training. As a student in this program, you can expect:
Up to 125 AASECT CEs* (though you can choose a plan with or without AASECT CEs)
Specialized and pace-accessible online learning platform
Access to 12 modules worth of articles, discussions, engaging projects, and media facilitated by SHA
Live webinars with Q+A with Dr. David Ley or Michael A. Vigorito
Monthly case consultations with Dr. David Ley or Michael A. Vigorito
Additional Special Topic webinars recorded with special guests to offer more perspective
Specialized SHA Certification in Problem Sexual Behaviors
*This program meets the requirements of the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT) and is approved for 64 AASECT CE credits. These CE credits may be applied toward AASECT certification and renewal of certification. Completion of this program does not ensure or guarantee AASECT certification. For further information please contact ce@aasect.org
TUITION COSTS OF SHA’S PROBLEM SEXUAL BEHAVIOR CERTIFICATE PROGRAM
At the Sexual Health Alliance, we believe education should be accessible to everyone. We understand that furthering your education is expensive, which is why we’ve done our best to keep costs as low as possible. Students of our Problem Sexual Behavior Certification Program have the option to pay their tuition in full or spread over twelve (12) months. Please know, this payment plan includes interest. Additionally, we offer yearly scholarships to BIPOC individuals.
As a student in any of our certificate programs, you receive generous discounts on all future experiences like two-day conferences or summits, certain Sexual Attitude Reassessments, and more!
WHAT CAN I DO WITH A PROBLEM SEXUAL BEHAVIOR CERTIFICATE?
Certification in problem sexual behaviors prepares clinicians to conduct a thorough, careful, and individualized assessment in order to identify and plan treatment that addresses an individual’s specific needs all within a sex-positive, healthy framework, rather than promoting or condemning certain sexual acts. Clinicians will learn to promote the development and growth of positive coping skills, social supports, and personal resources, enhancing patients’ motivation for change and creating a personal context that facilitates sexual health. After this course, clinicians can assess and treat (where appropriate) problems related to viewing sexually explicit material. Improve client mindfulness, personal responsibility, and negotiation skills for viewing this material while helping clients better understand the coping strategies this behavior sometimes fulfills.
You can also use this program to apply towards your AASECT renewal or AASECT certification. Gain 125 AASECT CEs to apply towards their certification.
MEET YOUR INSTRUCTORS:
DR. DAVID LEY
Dr. David J. Ley is a world-renowned clinical psychologist, known for bringing scientifically accurate and clinically sound information to discussions about modern sexuality.
He serves on the board of the Sexual Health Alliance as an expert advisor and is an internationally recognized expert on issues related to sexuality, pornography, and mental health.
He has appeared on television with Anderson Cooper, Katie Couric, Dr. Phil, and others.
He has been interviewed in publications ranging from the New York Times, Washington Post, LA Times, and the London Telegraph, to Playboy and Hustler magazines. Dr. Ley has published extensively in both the academic and “pop” realms of literature. His latest book, Ethical Porn for Dicks, A Man's Guide to Responsible Viewing Pleasure has endorsements from Dan Savage and Pornhub.com and is a humorous and provocative handbook for men who want to think more comprehensively about porn.
The Myth of Sex Addiction (2012) and Insatiable Wives (2009) were revolutionary explorations of sexual issues which blended a powerful client-centered narrative with a rich understanding of psychology, biology, and sociology.
MICHAEL A. VIGORITO, MFT, CGP, CST
Michael A. Vigorito is a sex therapist, author, and trainer. In his practice, he provides individual, couples, and group therapy for a range of sexual and behavioral health concerns including problematic and out-of-control sexual behavior, sexual disorders, and sex-drug linked behaviors.
In addition to his Washington, DC private practice, Michael* developed a sexual health assessment and treatment program, which was published in Treating Out of Control Sexual Behavior - Rethinking Sex Addiction (SSTAR 2018 Health Professional Book Award Winner).
Michael designed and implemented SAMHSA and CDC-funded training programs to integrate sexual health services into behavioral health care in the Baltimore and DC Metro Areas. He is currently affiliated with the University of Maryland - Prevention Research Center where he is implementing the Sexual and Gender Diversity Learning Community** – a CDC-funded, LGBTQ+ affirmative care training program for mental health providers and organizations.
Michael provides various sexual health trainings nationwide and was recently selected as a SSTAR Academy Speaker.
OTHER EXPERT CONTRIBUTORS
The experts that help contribute to our Problem Sexual Behavior Certification Program are leaders in the alternative sexuality community including therapists, educators, coaches, and writers that will offer a diverse viewpoint on problem sexual behavior. In this program, you will learn what it means to be an ally and how to progress the dialogue forward in your community. Some of the other contributors to this program include:
Dr. Cameron Staley
Markie Louise Christianson (L.C.) Twist
Dr. Chris Donaghue
Dr. Nicole Prause
Charles P. Samenow, MD MPH
N. Jasmin Johnson, LCSW AKA Jetsetting Jasmine
Craig Perra
Wendy E. Miller PhD
Dr. Reece Malone
Anna Randall, DHS, LCSW, MPH
David Prescott
Joshua Grubbs
Aaron Alan, MA, LMFT
We are always expanding our faculty to bring all perspectives to the conversation; we are better together.
PREVIOUS CONFERENCES AND GUEST SPEAKERS
We are passionate about sharing and spreading current, evidence based training surrounding problem sexual behavior issues. Some of our recent conferences include Dr. Michael Vigorito leading a conversation on problem sexual behavior and another on the myth of sex addiction conference with Dr. David Ley. Like the topics themselves, our guest speakers range in professions, ensuring all perspectives are contributed to our curriculum.
We are lucky to have some of the top professors and lecturers in the world! Many of our presenters have lectured at prestigious Universities including USC, UCLA, Princeton, The Kinsey Institute, Harvard University, the University of Texas at Austin, Texas State University, and more. Many of them have been featured on Anderson Cooper, Dr. Phil, The Doctors, LoveLine, WE tv’s “Sex Box” and Logo tv’s “Bad Sex,” The Today Show, VICE, CNN, HLN, OWN, Nightline, Katie Couric, Dr. Drew and in Newsweek, New York Times, Daily Beast, Men's Health, Cosmo, and National Geographic, LA Times and the London Telegraph, Playboy and Hustler magazines. More information can be found here.
WHY SHA’S PROBLEM SEXUAL BEHAVIOR CERTIFICATION PROGRAM?
Conduct individualized assessments and plan specific treatments
Provide affirmative, evidence-based care which embraces the wide range of sexual diversity, and assists patients in understanding and integrating sexual desires that have been socially stigmatized, including LGBTQ, gender variance, consensual nonmonogamous relationships, fetishes, and kinks.
Set client’s framework in a space of healthy sexual values
Reorienting your client’s (and your own!) perspective is imperative to providing treatment as to not promote or condemn certain sexual acts. This teaching will provide ways to implement harm reduction strategies and cognitive-behavioral interventions to mitigate sexual behavior problems while enhancing patient self-determination without the expectation of an abstinence-based model.
Learn to promote the development and growth of positive skills
This program works to give you the tools to help your clients. Our training discusses the importance of implementing positive coping skills and social support and provides a plethora of personal resources, all to enhance your patients’ motivation for change and create a personal context that facilitates sexual health.
Assist patients in developing and negotiating their sexual needs
Through this program, you will learn to see and assist in developing your client’s (possibly new) needs, discrepancies, and libido mismatches within relationships. You may also identify primary mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, trauma, and personality disorders, as well as medical problems which may affect sexual functioning and emerge as sexual behavior issues.
Assess and treat (where appropriate) problem sexual behavior
This program walks you through issues related to problematic use of pornography/sexually explicit material, assisting patients in developing greater mindfulness, personal responsibility, and negotiation skills around their use of this material while helping the patients to better understand the coping needs the material sometimes fills.
Approach any moral and religious values conflicts
Understanding that religion serves a very positive role for many people, but can exacerbate sexual problems, the PSB certified clinician will assist patients in engaging in values exploration and reconciliation exercises to explore and develop an authentic relationship with their values and religion.
Identify and, when appropriate, refer problem sexual behavior that poses a risk
Not all problems can be fixed by you and this year-long course will assist in you assessing any behaviors that may pose a risk to others, including pedophilia, sexual violence, and nonconsensual fetishes and sexual behaviors, developing appropriate referrals and treatment strategies in conjunction with the models used by ATSA for the treatment of sexual abuse.
Address any social or personal issues of sex
This program examines the core social and personal issues of sexual shame, society’s lack of sex education, and its restrictive sexual values which contribute to the struggles and pain experienced by those struggling with Problem Sexual Behavior while offering plentiful opportunities for students to reflect on their own biases.
WHAT MAKES SHA best in class?
The Sexual Health Alliance (SHA) stands out as a leader in sexuality training because we connect you with the leading experts in the world. We build the most inclusive communities and offer support throughout the program with our original happy hours, mixers, Facebook groups, and in-person events with our sexceptional weekend conferences, study abroad programs all over the world, SARs in Mexico and Jamaica and Sex Nerd Trivia. Finally, our latest specialized programs are accelerated, self paced, and are one of the only programs with the option to attend live monthly events with the leading voices and stars in the field.
Our programs are at the forefront of the field because we focus on progressive and comprehensive content presented through multiple channels so that no matter what kind of learner you are, you will become sexceptional at graduation.
SHA consists of professionals from every walk of life that go on to change the field and make a huge difference in their client’s lives. We support and encourage our students throughout the program and provide a wealth of areas to network. We love offering collaboration with our presenters and through our conferences as well—we want your education to be about you!
Since 2015, SHA has hosted over 6000 people at our events, while certifying sex therapists, counselors, educators, and coaches. We have been lucky enough to collaborate with many of the leading experts in sexuality and relationships. Throughout the year, SHA facilitates communication among sexual health providers through our signature workshops and conferences, special events, and social media. Our events and programming are intended to build community, spark dialogue and encourage collaboration.
We build communities that are well-informed and all-inclusive. We're dedicated to bringing the brightest minds and biggest game changers in sexual health to every area of the world. Join a program that’s more than watching videos and answering questions, join SHA and transform your career and make lifelong friends.
“SEX ADDICTION” THERAPY CERTIFICATION VS PROBLEM SEXUAL BEHAVIOR CERTIFICATION
Problem sexual behavior can include any sexual expression that leads people to seek treatment or assistance:
Infidelity
Values conflicts
Problematic pornography use
Relationship conflicts over the type or frequency of sex.
Legal or financial problems
Sex-drug linked behaviors
Historically, these issues were viewed as a symptom of sex addiction. Groundbreaking new research indicates that self-identifying as a porn or sex addict likely increases people’s pain and suffering over time. Rather than a symptom of a sexual disorder, current research suggests that people seeking treatment for sexual behavior problems are a heterogeneous group with varying underlying problems and individual needs. As such, the PSB Certification Program will train you on providing the most up-to-date and effective treatment approaches to meet the diverse needs of these clients including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, The Out of Control Sexual Behavior Model, psychopharmacology, and much more.
The Sexual Health Alliance, along with industry-leading experts, Dr. David Ley and Michael A. Vigorito, have designed this program as a sex-positive and evidence-based alternative to the outdated sex addiction treatment model.
Furthermore, SHA believes that we as therapists and educators need to challenge the concept of sexual addiction and explore a different model of sexuality. We do not support CSAT (Certified Sex Addiction Therapist) programs or agree that compulsive sexual behavior or problematic sexual behavior is empirically supported and do not promote the language we deem to be shaming.
We currently have 8 FREE video interviews on Rethinking Sex Addiction and OCSB on our blog here with the top couples and sex therapists in the world. We also have a full sex therapy, counselor, educator & consultant certification program currently 100% online where we delve deeper into this topic!
SHA also supports the American Association for Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists’ (AASECT) stance on this topic. For more information, please read AASECT’s Position on Sex Addiction here.
SHA’S STANCE ON “SEX ADDICTION”
SHA believes that we as therapists and educators need to challenge the concept of sexual addiction and explore a different model of sexuality. We do not support CSAT (Certified Sex Addiction Therapist) programs or agree that compulsive sexual behavior or problematic sexual behavior is empirically supported and do not promote the language we deem to be shaming.
We currently have 8 FREE video interviews on Rethinking Sex Addiction and OCSB on our blog here with the top couples and sex therapists in the world. We also have a full sex therapy, counselor, educator & consultant certification program currently 100% online where we delve deeper into this topic!
SHA also supports the American Association for Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT)’s stance on this topic. For more information, please read AASECT’s Position on Sex Addiction here.
OTHER SHA PROGRAMS
Not interested or not qualified to get your Problem Sexual Behavior Certificate? Sexual Health Alliance offers a variety of programs:
We make it easy to become a certified SHA and AASECT sexuality professional. All programs are AASECT certified and provide 200+ AASECT CEs*. Start your dream career in sexuality today and finish your program(s) at your own pace, online, from anywhere!
*This program meets the requirements of the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT) and is approved for AASECT CE credits. These CE credits may be applied toward AASECT certification and renewal of certification. Completion of this program does not ensure or guarantee AASECT certification. For further information please contact ce@aasect.org.
* developed with Douglas Braun-Harvey, LMFT, CST, CST-S
** developed with Sean Lare, LCSW-C