First of all, an AASCE is not a licensed clinical professional counselor or therapist. As an independent license holder, a AASCE is not required to obtain a license to practice. The only requirement is to take the proper courses and pass the certification exam. This exam is not administered by any state or federal agency, so any AASCE who wish to teach in a public university has to get a separate state license to do so.
Next, there is the issue of whether or not these individuals really “believe” what they are teaching. Take for example the first session of a basic course in sex therapy. During this first session, the AASCE will likely give orientation, discuss client concerns, and conduct individual counseling. The AASCE is not an expert in any field, so they cannot provide any opinion about your particular sexual problem. They cannot tell you whether or not you should see a specialist for your condition.
So, just how many sex therapists actually earn a doctorate? Well, the answer depends on how many counselors actually earn a doctorate. According to the American Association of Sexuality Educators and Advisers (AASEC), approximately sixty-five percent of all advisors nationwide hold at least a master’s degree in psychology, social work, or related areas. There are numerous different concentrations within these two disciplines that help counselors learn to deal with sexual problems. For example, there are a number of classes that help counselors understand and treat trauma.
However, there is a fee involved. Just like any other graduate school or professional school application fee, the application fee for becoming an AASEC certified therapist may vary depending on your area and the school. Most states require that you pay the clinical and administrative fees, as well as the application fee, before you can begin practicing. You’ll pay more if you live in a large metropolitan area or if you have more credits on your doctoral degree.
Once you have completed your Master’s degree, the only other thing between you and being qualified to become an American Association of Sexuality Educator, a Certified Sex Therapist, or a Clinical Sexologist, is your Master’s degree. This certification should be from a reputable and respected institution, such as the American Counseling Association, American College of Nursing, or American Medical College. These three colleges offer specific degrees in Sexuality Studies, which is required for becoming a therapist or a sex therapist, respectively. Also, you’ll need to pass the certification exam, which is administered by the Certification Board for Sexual Medicine and Health Education. Your Master’s degree is the first step to a successful career as a counselor or therapist, but it’s only the beginning.
To prepare yourself for the certification exam, you’ll need to complete an education program, either a course of study approved by the AASECT, or the Certification Board for Sexual Medicine and Health Education. Once you have received your education, you will need to take the MCSE or MSMQ-2 exam. This exam is designed to test your knowledge in the areas of human sexuality, psychology, sociology, and statistics. To take the exam, you will need to purchase a copy of the AASECT handbook, and schedule a time to take the exam. The cost of taking the exam is $rium and is completely worth the fee because you can become a certified sex therapist or psychologist much faster than if you were to pay the fee out-of-pocket.
After passing the certification exam, you will be a Registered Sex Therapist or Psychotherapist. Being a registered sex therapist or psychologist can be incredibly fulfilling and rewarding. However, if you are a counselor or therapist, you may also encounter other clients that have similar sexual desire and concerns that you do. Because the majority of counselors work with couples, it is very common for them to work with individuals who have same-sex attractions. Becoming a mediator or immediately assigned between two individuals who have opposite sexual desires is also a great way to help you professionally and personally meet and work together with your clientele.
