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Becoming a sex therapist requires good listening and counseling skills, as well as specialized training in mental health, counseling, and ethics. Licensing requirements vary by jurisdiction, and some require completion of an educational program and internships. Continuing education programs and workshops can also help develop skills.
To become a sex therapist, you will need to develop good listening skills and non-judgmental skills. Sex therapists generally have good counseling skills, as well as the ability to educate clients about various sexual issues, problems, and techniques. Educational and licensing requirements to become a sex therapist vary by jurisdiction. In areas that require sex therapists to hold a license, many require completion of an educational program that trains students in mental health, counseling, and ethics issues.
When faced with sexual issues, both in and out of relationships, many people seek help from sex therapists. Sex therapists usually have a background in mental health or general health care, as well as specialized training in the area of sexuality. In some jurisdictions, a sex therapist must be a physician or licensed in some area of mental health counseling. In other areas, there are few restrictions on providing sex therapy and individuals with minimal or no academic qualifications are free to describe themselves as “sex coaches” or “sexologists”.
Before becoming a sex therapist, you could volunteer for a charity or organization that provides social services, counseling or other types of interpersonal support. Through this work, you can develop empathy, listening skills, and a better understanding of many different types of human struggles. Ask supervisors in these settings for feedback on their work with clients, as this can help you decide if you have the skills to become a sex therapist.
If you attend a formal training program to become a sex therapist, you will typically develop skills and knowledge in a variety of areas. Prepare to study physiology and anatomy, as well as psychology theory courses. Additionally, your school may require you to complete an internship working with clients in a supervised setting. In fact, many jurisdictions require completion of one or more internships or supervised internships as part of their licensure process for mental health professionals, including sex therapists. Your job may be at a student clinic sponsored by your school or, in some cases, you may be assigned to work at a private clinic or community counseling center.
As you continue your training to become a sex therapist, you may have opportunities to participate in continuing education programs and workshops. These programs, usually supervised and taught by experienced professionals, can help you develop your therapeutic and educational skills. In addition, you may have the opportunity to learn about new research on sexuality that can help you better serve your customers.
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