Anybody know what path I need to take to be a sex psychologist?

[blueblackhair]

Currently in undergrad at a public university and recently changed my major from bio to psychology and i'm interested in being a sex psychologist (perhaps a marriage counselor/relationship therapist even). What steps do I need to take to reach this goal...i'm new to the department (I just switched majors at the end of the semester so I haven't talked to anyone yet) so I don't really have any ideas about graduate school or anything either and for this profession and do I really need a phd or doctorate?

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[WisNeuro]

Just the therapy/counseling side of things? Or are you interested in doing research on this as well?

 

[PsyDr]

Get into a good counseling PhD program, get extra training.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

You need a solid foundation in Clinical/Counseling Psychology and then you need to pursue additional training and mentorship in the area.

You'd be a clinical psychologist or counseling psychologist who works in the area of intimacy (or however you want to describe it), as there isn't a specialized title for it.

 

[G Costanza]

You could become licensed as a master level clinician and then become certified as a sex therapist AASECT. The certification process can be challenging however as you will need supervision from a certified sex therapist and there aren't many around.

 

[deleted343839]

There aren't many high quality sex therapy training programs, especially for master's level clinicians. Best bet is to get the best generalist training you can and then pursue specialized post-graduate training. Probably the best such program in the US is at U. Michigan: http://ssw.umich.edu/offices/continuing-education/certificate-courses/sexual-health

 

[DrMikeP]

Some states have specific "sex" therapist/psychologist requirements. The first step is get a doctorate in clinical or counseling psychology and take related elective courses.