Sex therapy credentials: a descriptive analysis of the training of clinicians who do sex therapy

Abstract

Mental health professionals (e.g. counselors, psychologists, social workers) use the internet to market their services. One such service being marketed is “sex therapy.” However, considering the paucity of sexuality-related standards present in the training standards governing the training of these professionals, it is unclear to what extent clinicians who advertise as providing “sex therapy” have the training to competently and therefore ethically provide that service. The current study sought to address this knowledge gap via survey methodology. One hundred fourteen (n = 114) clinicians from across the United States who market as providing “sex therapy” on their public PsychologyToday profile were recruited for the study. Results indicate that 25.5% are certified in sex therapy, 31.9% completed zero credits of sexuality-related coursework in graduate school, and 52.1% are members of a professional sex therapy organization. Additionally, 74.9% of clients on their caseload are presenting with sex as a primary or secondary issue. The clinical, training, and research implications of these results are discussed.

LAY SUMMARY

There is little known about the training and qualifications of sex therapists. This study found that 25% of sex therapists across the country are certified and 32% have zero graduate training in sex therapy. This has potential implications for the quality of care received by sex therapy clients.

Keywords:

• sex therapy
• ethics
• marketing
• continuing education

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Robert J. Zeglin

Robert J. Zeglin is the Program Director for the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program in the Department of Public Health at the University of North Florida. He is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, a Nationally Certified Counselor, and a Certified Sex Therapist. He received his PhD from The George Washington University in Washington, DC. Dr. Zeglin serves as Co-Founder and Past-President of the Association of Counseling Sexology & Sexual Wellness and as Founding Editor of the Journal of Counseling Sexology & Sexual Wellness: Research, Practice, and Education. His research is in the area of human sexuality, specifically HIV/AIDS, sexual behavior, and counselor competencies.

Sydney Goldberg

Sydney Goldberg is a graduate student at the University of North Florida in their Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. In addition to this, she completed the Mental Health Sexology certificate offered through the program. Sydney has been completing her internship at Positive Development, a private practice that counsels children and adolescents. Sydney has an interest in sex education and hopes to one day become a certified sex therapist.

Devona M. Stalnaker-Shofner

Devona M. Stalnaker-Shofner is an Associate Professor at Antioch University New England, and Associate Chair of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Department. She received her Doctor of Education in Counselor Education and Supervision from Argosy University-Atlanta. She is also a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the State of Georgia, as well as a National Certified Counselor (NCC). Dr. Stalnaker-Shofner has been in professional practice as a counselor for twenty years, and her experience includes providing individual, group, and marriage and family counseling to clients presenting with treatment concerns such as depression, anxiety, trauma, sexual abuse, domestic violence, self-mutilation/injury, as well as substance use, addiction, and recovery.

Brittany M. Walker

Brittany M. Walker is an undergraduate student at the University of North Florida, pursuing her Bachelors in Science in Psychology. Her research interests focus on sexual health and behaviors. After her undergraduate degree is completed, she intends on attending graduate school at UNF, eventually seeking to become a clinical psychologist with a specialty in sex therapy.

Angela M. Schubert

Angela “Angie” M. Schubert is an Associate Professor and Director of MSCC online learning for the Clinical Counseling Department at Central Methodist University. Dr. Schubert’s area of research and clinical interests are in human sexuality and sexual development across the lifespan. Dr. Schubert is interested in exploring the human sexual experience as it pertains to perceptions of sexuality, gender, sexual behaviors, sexual constructs, and policies that work to support or oppress specific sexual-identified communities. Dr. Schubert is the editor of the Clinical Counseling Chronicle. She is also the Co-Founder and President of the Association of Counseling Sexology & Sexual Wellness. She is currently under supervision to become an AASECT-certified Sex Therapist and EMDR certified. Dr. Schubert is also on the editorial board for the Journal of Counseling Sexology & Sexual Wellness. Dr. Schubert is also an avid podcaster and co-host the following podcasts: Let’s Get Uncomfortable (https://directory.libsyn.com/shows/view/id/letsgetuncomfortable) and Supervision Time (https://directory.libsyn.com/shows/view/id/supervisiontime).