Psychologists' Continuing Education and Training in Sexuality

Abstract

The current study explored whether psychologists are receiving continuing education that may assist them in providing intervention to clients with sexual issues. One hundred and five clinical and counseling psychologists completed an Internet survey. Results suggest that observational opportunities are underutilized and that more training related to sexual problems, as opposed to healthy sexuality, appears to be occurring. Participants with more continuing education were more likely to directly ask about and treat clients' sexual concerns/problems. Nonetheless, in general, participants appeared reluctant to directly ask about and treat sexual issues. The implications of these results for designing continuing education programs are discussed.

This research was completed as part of the doctoral requirements in psychology by S. A. M. under the supervision of E. S. B. We would like to thank the University of New Brunswick's Sexuality Research Group, including Shannon Glenn, Jacqueline Cohen, Angela Weaver, Lyndsay Foster, Deanne Simms, Melissa Saint Pierre, and Lindsay Walsh for their insightful suggestions. Further, we are grateful to all of the psychologists who took the time to complete our survey. Without their interest and participation, this study would not be have been possible.

Notes

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∗∗ p <.001.

∗p <.01

∗∗p <.001.