Interview With a Sex Therapist
We all thought it would add an interesting twist to the web site if someone interviewed a sex therapist, so people could gain a general knowledge about them.
1. What kind of schooling and/or training
did you have to go through in order to become a sex therapist?
After receiving my bachelor's and master's degree in psychology,
I went on to obtain my PhD, then a clinical license. In order to
become a sex therapist I had to go through a specialized formal
training program at UCLA for a year, which included both course
work and a 300-hour internship, which qualified me to apply to the
American Association of Sex Educators (AASECT) for certification.
Alternatively, one can attend a number of sexuality conferences
to earn credits, which are called continuing education units, or
CEUs, instead of going through a specialized formal training program.
I also had to have many letters of recommendation and reference.
Being certified comes up for renewal every 3 years. When I renew
my certification it will be for both a certified sex therapist and
educator. I will have to demonstrate that I have been active in
the field and taken 36 hours of sex education courses. Since I am
a conference junky, this is a no brainer for me.
2. What does your job entail everyday?
I work both as an educator and a therapist. Also, I sit on AASECT's
national board as district chair and I sit on the Professor's Education
Committee (PEC). As district chair of the AASECT, I oversee programs
throughout the western states and help AASECT to remain "visible
and active." As a member of the PEC committee, I am one of
the people who evaluate programs submitted for approval to AASECT
and either approve or reject prospective programs. My "bread
and butter" is actually a full time position at a community
college. I teach human sexuality every single semester. This term,
I am excited to not only be doing a conventional class but an on
line class as well. Basically, I teach the graduate course, I see
about 5-8 clients a week. And I enjoy the blend very much.
3. Do you have any interesting stories?
WAY too may to write down! I am known for theses stories in the
classes I have taught. Many of them have to do with clients-whose
identities are very protected-I have seen in the past. There is
"Ms Rug Humper," "Mr. Slip," "Mr. Big,"
and lots more. Unfortunately, I can't share my personal therapy
files on a website, sorry.
4. Do you ever relate to your patients
problems? And how does that work as far as giving advice?
I entered the field because I was very comfortable with sexuality
and my own sexuality. I am one of those people who view sex in a
positive light. Consequently, I do not personally identify with
the sexual dilemmas they have. What I do find is that some of the
ideas I've given for sexual enrichment come from my own experiences,
but I never tell them that. I am very careful to be aware of "counter-transference."
Basically, counter-transference is anything that "pushes a
therapist's buttons" and renders them less than objective.
From time to time I identify with relationship dilemmas-in the past
with "finding a partner" to more recently, people with
partners who have money problems. Overall, I tend to be known for
my creative solutions.
5. If you have anything more to add that has not been covered that would be great: I just wanted to clear up some misconceptions many people tend to have. Holding a PhD does NOT demonstrate that a person is a licensed psychologist. One must still go through the specialized training program as I did at UCLA then apply for certification. I also wanted to add that requirements might have slightly changed since I received my license. If anyone is interested in obtaining certification they can check out the AASECT's website for information at http://www.aasect.org. Also, anyone interested in attending a conference can get that information from the AASECT's and the Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality (SSSS) website at http://www.ssc.wisc.edu/ssss.