the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists
AASECT is the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists. AASECT describes their certified sex therapists as licensed mental health professionals who are trained to assess, diagnose and provide in-depth psychotherapy who have specialized in providing treatment to clients who have sexual issues and concerns. AASECT Certified Sex Therapists use specialized clinical skills and theoretical knowledge to help people solve their sexual concerns. AASECT certified sex therapists have a minimum of a master’s degree in a clinical speciality that includes psychotherapy training from an accredited college or university. Certification with AASECT involves a minimum of 50 hours of direct clinical supervision, a minimum of 154 hours of coursework, and a minimum of 300 hours of clinical work. They must maintain professional licensing in the state (s) of practice, ongoing continuing education credits, and adhere to a strict code of ethics.
AASECT certified sex therapists maintain the following stance on sexual contact with clients:
In no instances and under no circumstances will an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist observe a therapy patient/ client having sex nor engage in any kind of sexual activity with a therapy patient/client, whether in the office or in any location. To do so is a breach of ethics, and in some states and provinces is a crime.