The focus of this program is on understanding the significance of human sexuality as it plays out in treatment situations from childhood throughout the life span. Professional training in sex therapy was established in 1970 with the publication of Masters and Johnson’s book Treating Sexual Inadequacy. Many mental health experts have since written extensively in the sexuality field and define specific behavioral and cognitive approaches. Sex therapy is a specialized psychotherapeutic modality as defined by pioneer clinician and author, Helen Singer Kaplan, M.D. The sex therapist deals openly and directly with sensitive and painful issues.

• Recognize the major bio-psycho-social forces that shape sexual functioning.
• Learn the criteria for assessment and diagnosis of psychosexual disorders as described in the current edition of the DSM IV-R.
• Understand the dynamics of interpersonal relationships, including the socio-cultural factors influencing sexual values and behavior, and specify ways to encourage loving relationships between partners and within families.
• Appreciate the variety of sexual orientation, gender identities and gender related issues, and the importance of ensuring basic ethics and sexual rights.
• Differentiate between the physical and psychological causes of sexual dysfunctions.
• Assess the impact of disease, medication & drugs on sexual functioning and relationships, including medical factors that influence sexuality including illness, disability, drugs, pregnancy and pregnancy termination, contraception and fertility, sexually transmitted diseases.
• Learn the history of sexology, as well as the latest research in clinical sexology.
• Understand sexual health issues, including safer sex practices and the effects of substance abuse on sexuality.
• Understand the psycho-sexual treatment methods for victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse.
• Understand the immediate and deeper issues underlying sexual dysfunction.
• Explain atypical sexual behaviors, including paraphilias and compulsive/impulsive sexual behavior.
• Learn theory and methods of sexuality counseling and psychotherapy, including several different models.
• Understand the theory and methods of approach to intervention in relationship systems experiencing sex and intimacy problems.
• Learn the theory and method of approach to medical intervention in the evaluation and treatment of psychosexual disorders.
• Understand the principles of consultation, collaboration, and referral in a sex therapy practice.
• Discuss techniques for evaluating clinical outcomes.
• Gain practicum experience, i.e. exposure to treatment of clinical cases through observation, demonstration, videotape presentation, role-playing, etc.
• Present a full sex therapy case

Registration for 2013-2014 is limited to a first come, first serve basis. The Sex Therapy Postgraduate Training Institute of New York is designed for professionals with postgraduate degrees who wish to become sex therapists or add an extensive knowledge of sex therapy to their practice. We welcome psychotherapists, marriage and family therapists, social workers, psychologists, physicians and nurse practitioners to matriculate.

View our brochure for more information about registering.