Sexuality professionals are individuals who practice sex therapy, sex counseling, sex education, or sex research. Sex therapy is a form of therapy integrating biomedical, psychosocial and cultural components in the treatment of sexual problems. Sex counseling is the use of biomedical and psychosocial knowledge to provide education and advice about sexual problems by means that do not include the use of psychotherapy. Sex education is the use of pedagogical methodologies to increase knowledge of sexuality. Sex research is the conduct of research in the area of sexuality. Sexuality professionals must have a professional degree in behavioral science, biological science, education, or the medical sciences appropriate to their field of professional endeavor (i.e., therapy, counseling, education, or research).Sex therapists and counselors, in addition to meeting the education, practicum, internship, and/or supervised practice requirements for licensure or certification, must have training in dealing with sexual problems and subject matter. Alternatively, some persons may achieve competence by receiving their professional education in the area of human sexuality with commensurate clinical training in sex therapy and counseling without demonstrating competence in other fields.
Misrepresentation of professional degrees and/or credentials to SSSS on the membership application or subsequently may result in dismissal from SSSS membership.
It is not the intention of this Statement of Ethical Guidelines to establish criteria for educational standards for sex therapy, counseling, education and research. Certification as a therapist, counselor or educator establishes more explicit criteria beyond the scope of this ethics statement.
Membership in SSSS may be cited routinely as a professional affiliation, just as one may customarily list other professional affiliations in one's curriculum vitae. Although membership is SSSS may reflect strong professional interest in the field of sexuality, membership should not be used to imply or endorse the individual's expertise in the field of sexuality. Citing SSSS membership in promotional materials, whether or not for economic gain, in a manner that may falsely be construed as employment by SSSS is prohibited.
If any inappropriate use of SSSS membership is brought to the attention of the Executive Committee of SSSS, the member will be approached informally to cease using the offending material. Continued use of the offending material by the member beyond that time, the repeated use, or clearly intentional use will result in cancellation of the offender's membership in this Society.
