Akers, W., Illig, A., Myung, A., Tate, N., & Teague, E. (2010). Key issues for Counselors and Other Mental Health Professionals. Special Theme: Sexuality Counseling Across the Lifespan. Sexuality Counseling Guidebook, 5.

Hertlein, K., Weeks, G., & Sendak, S. K. (2009). A Clinician’s Guide to Systemic Therapy. NY: Routledge.

Levay, S., & Baldwin, J. (2005). Human Sexuality (3rd ed.). Sunderland, MA: Sinauer Associates.

Levine, S. B., Risen, C. B., & Althof, S. E. (2010). Handbook of Clinical Sexuality for Mental Health Professionals. (2nd ed). NY: Routledge.

Long, L. L., Burnett, J. A., & Thomas, R. V. (2006). Sexuality Counseling: An Integrative Approach. Upper Saddle River, N.J: Pearson/Merrill Prentice Hall.

This course will address the practice theories and techniques for assessment, evaluation, and treatment of sexual concerns (including: sexuality concerns, sexual exploration, physical/emotional intimacy, disability, chronic illness, pain, and sexual difficulties). Variations in human sexual function and expression will be discussed from physiological and socio-cultural viewpoints. Intervention techniques will be discussed considering their effectiveness with different kinds of sexual problems, in different practice settings, and respecting client differences, including the diverse dimensions (i.e. ability, age, class, color, culture, ethnicity, family structure, gender identity and gender expression, marital status, national origin, race, religion, or spirituality, sex, and sexual orientation). This course will discuss applicability and limitations of different theoretical approaches. Historical and modern political issues relating to sexuality will also be discussed.

A summary description of historical influences on human sexual interactions will be presented. The examination of myths and misconceptions about sex and the ways in which socio-cultural mores enforce these myths will be explored. The physiology of human sexual function will be addressed, including variations in sexual orientation, and gender identity. The psycho-sexual development of the individual from birth throughout the life span will be discussed and compared to other developmental tasks at each age. Themes related to influences from family, culture, environment, socioeconomic, ethnic, and religious perceptions of sexuality will be integrated. An overview of the field of sex therapy and ethics as a sex therapist will be explored. Major theoretical modalities for assessment and treatment will be presented from a bio-psycho-social perspective, including cognitive/behavioral, insight oriented, and brief treatment theories, as well as the role of sex education in treatment. Differences between individual, couple, and group treatment will be discussed. Utilizing case examples, this course will concentrate on assessment, differential diagnosis, and treatment in a variety of clinical settings. Current trends in research, especially research combining biologic and psychotherapeutic approaches will be addressed. This course will discuss difficulties in sexual functioning due to congenital problems, illness, disability, medical treatment, substance abuse, sexual assault and sexual exploitation. Life span concerns related to sexual functioning will be addressed, including aging. Paraphilic and compulsive sexual behavior will also be discussed.

Authentic conversation is central to the success and depth of classroom discussion. It is important for all members to be both honest and respectful to the private and personal discussion in the classroom and to maintain the ethical standards of confidentiality.

Upon successful completion of the course, each participant should be able to:

Objectives from CACREP 2016 standards that are directly tied to programmatic student learning objectives (as related to sexuality):

1. current labor market information relevant to opportunities for practice within the counseling profession (CACREP 2016, Core 1H)
2. ethical standards of professional counseling organizations and credentialing bodies, and applications of ethical and legal considerations in professional counseling (CACREP 2016, Core, 1.I.)

3. strategies for personal and professional self-evaluation and implications for practice (Core, 1.k.)

4. help-seeking behaviors of diverse clients (Core, 2.f.)

5. the impact of spiritual beliefs on clients’ and counselors’ worldviews (Core, 2.g.)

6. strategies for identifying and eliminating barriers, prejudices, and processes of intentional and unintentional oppression and discrimination (Core, 2.h.)
7. systemic and environmental factors that affect human development, functioning, and behavior (Core, 3.f.)
8. biological, neurological, and physiological factors that affect human development, functioning, and behavior (Core, 3.e.)

9. essential interviewing, counseling, and case conceptualization skills (Core, 5.g.)

10. developmentally relevant counseling treatment or intervention plans (Core, 5.h).