What training or education is required to become a Certified Sex Therapist?
To become a Certified Sex Therapist, one must have a minimum of a master’s degree in a field leading to independent licensing or certification in a mental health profession. Among these degrees are nursing, social work, divinity, professional counseling, family and marriage therapy, psychiatry, and psychology. Many Certified Sex Therapists also choose to complete doctoral degrees in these or other fields as preparation for this profession. Additionally, one must complete a number of qualifications for credentialing by AASECT. In general, one needs a combination of (1) specialty training (a minimum of 90 hours) in core subject areas of human sexuality; (2) specialty training (a minimum of 60 hours) in sex therapy; (3) attendance in a Sexual Attitude Reassessment seminar (minimum 10 hours); (4) documentation of field experience and approved supervision (a minimum of 50 hours) in sex therapy; and (5) AASECT membership and adherence to the standards of AASECT Code of Ethics. For a complete
