Ackerman Certificate Program in Sex Therapy
Our signature post-graduate certificate program in sex therapy training. Applications are open!
Ackerman Certificate Program in Sex Therapy
Our signature post-graduate certificate program in sex therapy training. The deadline to apply is August 1st, 2023.
About the Program
The Ackerman Institute Post-Master’s Certificate Program in Sex Therapy is designed to broaden your skills and experience as a clinician to address issues of sexuality in a diverse and dynamic world. This 90-hour online certificate program will further your training required for future certification as a sex therapist with AASECT.
As the leader in couple & family therapy for over 60 years, the Ackerman Institute is uniquely positioned to provide comprehensive sex therapy training. At Ackerman we view sex therapy as an integral part of the therapeutic experience for intimate relationships, and strive to provide mental health professionals with the highest quality sex therapy training.
We welcome psychotherapists, counselors, couple and family therapists, social workers, psychologists, and other allied professionals to enhance your knowledge and clinical practice in sex therapy.
Curriculum
The certificate program includes live online meetings with expert faculty, dynamic discussion, readings, and take-home assignments. The program is comprised of three specialized 10-week courses that are taken sequentially. Each course provides 30 AASECT continuing education hours.
All courses meet on Wednesday evenings from September 2023 – May 2024.
Course Descriptions
September 27 – December 3, 2023
Wednesdays 5:00 – 8:15 pm (ET)
The Ackerman Institute’s Introduction to Sex Therapy is an introductory course designed to provide foundational knowledge of sex therapy training. The first of three online 30-hour courses for Ackerman’s certificate program in sex therapy training, this course provides the fundamentals of AASECT certification and professional code of conduct.
You will learn the Ackerman Relational Approach, a comprehensive, systemic framework for viewing sex and sexuality within the broader contexts of the intimate relationship, family, society, culture, power and privilege, and the self-of-the-therapist.
This course will also expand your understanding of sexual anatomy and physiology; sexual response cycles; sexual disorders; sexual assessment and treatment; sexual narratives; diversity in sexual expression; and the history of sexology.
January 3 – March 6, 2024
Wednesdays 5:00 – 8:15 pm (ET)
The Ackerman Institute’s Intimacy and Sexuality in Couples course designed to expand your understanding of intimacy issues in relationships. This course is the second of three 30-hour trainings for Ackerman’s certificate program in sex therapy.
The course will focus on issues of intimacy, while exploring a range of topics including: intimacy fears; commitment; secrets; resentments; affairs; communication; fantasies; and the impact of intimacy issues on sexuality in couples, including non-traditional relationships involved in non-monogamy and polyamory.
You will gain an understanding of contextual variables such as race; ethnicity; class; gender; sexual orientation; culture; religion/spirituality; power and privilege; age; ability; trauma; and the self-of-the-therapist. The framework of this course is the comprehensive, relationally based model of the Ackerman Relational Approach.
This course will be held online and includes live meetings with expert faculty, dynamic discussion, readings, and take-home assignments.
March 27 – May 29, 2024
Wednesdays 5:00 – 8:15 pm (ET)
Ackerman’s Systemic Sex Therapy course will focus on advanced topics in sex therapy assessment and treatment. This is the final of three 30-hour courses included in Ackerman’s sex therapy certificate program curriculum.
The comprehensive systemic framework of the Ackerman Relational Approach will be used in focusing on advanced topics in sex therapy assessment and treatment. The course will explore a range of topics including: physical issues impacting sex; the multidimensionality of sex; sexual diversity; gender variance; transgender issues; paraphilias; alternate lifestyles; non-monogamy; sexual minorities; and preconceptions of normalcy.
The self-of-the-therapist will be highlighted along with contextual variables such as race; ethnicity; class; gender; sexual orientation; culture; religion/spirituality; power and privilege; age; trauma; and ability.
This course will be held online and includes live meetings with expert faculty, dynamic discussion, readings, and take-home assignments.
Course Schedule
Wednesdays, 5:00 – 8:15 pm (ET)
September 27, 2023 – May 29, 2024
The deadline to apply is 8/01/23
Tuition & Hours
Tuition: $6,000
($2,000-per course, paid each trimester)
AASECT Hours: 90
CE Benefit: The certificate course provides AASECT credits only. While enrolled in the certificate program, trainees are eligible to attend Ackerman workshops free of charge, and may earn CEUs for other mental health licenses.
Eligibility
Applicants must hold a Master’s, Doctorate, or Medical Degree in social work, marriage and family therapy, psychology, or other mental health profession. At least one year of clinical experience is required.
Meet Our Faculty
Marjorie Nightingale, PhD, JD, LMFT
Marriage & Family Therapist
Marlene F. Watson, PhD, LMFT
Ackeman Director of Training
Melissa Thoen, LCSW, CST
Ackerman Clinical Director
FAQs: Sex Therapy Training at Ackerman
Applications are now open for the certificate program. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until the course reaches capacity. The deadline to apply is August 1st, 2023
You will need the following:
- Completed online application form
- Copy of graduate degree
- Professional letter of recommendation
- CV / Resume
- $100 application fee
- Personal Statement: In 250 words, describe your interest in sex therapy training at Ackerman.
Financial aid is not provided for this course.
The Ackerman Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that relies on donors and earned revenue to work toward our mission. The full expense of training at Ackerman is subsidized by the generosity of our donors. Your tuition fees cover only a small portion of this expense. We thank you for investing in your professional future and for supporting the Ackerman Institute for the Family.
Applicants will be notified of acceptance or denial by email within one month of the application deadline.
The certificate program provides 90 AASECT hours.
Continuing education contact hours for other mental health disciplines (e.g., social work, couple and family therapy, and psychology) are not offered for this program. Trainees enrolled in the sex therapy certificate course may attend Ackerman workshops and earn CEUs for social work, couple and family therapy, and psychology free of charge.
We understand that some applicants will be completing their master’s degree in advance of the course start date. We will consider applications with proof of a pending master’s degree.
If you have not yet received your master’s degree, you may upload a copy of your official transcript or a certificate of graduation letter from your master’s program. A degree must be provided at the time of enrollment.
This course will be presented online via Zoom.
Trainees are required to attend online classes from a computer in good working condition with a strong WiFi connection. For the best experience, we recommend using headphones and a microphone during class meetings.
Most questions can be answered by reading our Sex Therapy Certificate Program Policies.
RSVP to attend a free info session on April 26th, 6:00 – 7:00 pm (ET).
If you have more questions about applying to the certificate program, contact our admissions department: admissions@ackerman.org
About Ackerman's AASECT Certification
This program meets the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists requirements and credits earned may be applied toward AASECT certification and renewal of certification. Please note, AASECT Certification is not automatic. In all cases, the Certification Committee determines whether or not AASECT certification is awarded. Completion of this program does not ensure or guarantee AASECT certification. For further information please contact info@assect.org.