Become a Sexual Health Specialist (CSHS)

Certified Sexual Health Specialist(CSHS)

Individuals seeking this credential have a clear understanding of the difference between clinical/therapeutic methods (including all associated responsibilities) and coaching/consulting/education and when professional limitations have been reached.

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Certification Requirements

SASH maintains a standard that profesionals need core knowledge about human sexuality and specific skills training in various topics to effectively work with a client. The following represent the general requirements and the core knowledge prior to seeking the skills educational requirements.

Membership:

Current Membership in the Society for the Advancement of Sexual Health (SASH)

Educational/Licensure Requirements:

The education and licensure suggestions listed below are a series of guidelines for the educational levels that will prepare you for this certification.

1. An undergraduate and/or graduate degree in a field of study related to understanding humanity, connection, biology, or sexuality. Whilst not an exhaustive list, this could include degrees focusing on psychology, social work, mental health counseling, medicine, nursing, physical therapy/rehabilitation, divinity, sociology, education, or theater arts.

2. Certification in one of the following subjects: Coaching, Ministry, Education, Intimacy Choreography, etc.

3. At least three years of professional practice following issuance of an ICF, CCE or IAC credential; at its discretion, the committee may consider deeming applicable an equivalent measure of experience in a related field or modality of practice (i.e., education, ordination, community leadership, public advocacy, journalism, etc).

4. If the applicant holds a degree from a non-accredited institution, or is practicing outside the United States or the United States territory, they will provide documentation to demonstrate that the education and licensure/certification that they have obtained is functionally equivalent to these standards.

Interested applicants without formal education can make a case for the equivalent education from at least 5 years of professional work in a helping profession.

General Human Sexuality Education Requirements:

To be eligible for any of the SASH credentials, an individual must have coursework in the core knowledge areas listed below. These hours must be obtained from an accredited college or university, or alternatively from a continuing education organization, such as SASH, that is certified to provide CE credits from any of the approved organizations. At least ten (10) hours must be completed in-person or via synchronous e-learning.

Please note that the Credentialing Committee reserves the right to reject any educational credits, or to request additional education in any subject matter prior to awarding a certification.

Credentialing Training Requirements must include basic information and understanding of the following areas

Human Sexuality Core Knowledge Areas

1. Sexual Development, Anatomy, Physiology, and Reproduction
a. Sexual development across the life-span from a biological, psychological and social perspective
b. Sexual and reproductive anatomy and physiology
c. Sexual response cycle and models of sexual desire
d. Knowledge of individual differences in sexuality
e. Contraception, conception, and childbirth

2. Sexual Health Issues
a. The influence of health and medical factors on sexuality (e.g., illness and infection, disability, mental health, medications, contraception and safer sex practices, fertility struggles, pregnancy and childbirth, pregnancy termination, sexually transmitted infection, physical injuries)
b. Distinguishing between sexual challenges vs sexual disorders:
i. Arousal differences vs arousal disorders
ii. Desire discordance vs desire disorders
iii. Barriers to orgasm vs orgasmic disorders
iv. Sexual 'lifestyle' vs paraphilic disorders
v. Physiological challenges (e.g., pain, discomfort, anxiety, aging, disability, vaginismus, dyspareunia, erectile dysfunction.)
c. The interaction of substance use/abuse and sexuality
d. Sexually transmitted infections
e. Sexual trauma (e.g., exploitation, abuse, harassment, and assault)

3. Sexual Identity and Erotic Expression
a. Sexual orientation
b. Gender identity and gender roles
c. Diverse sexual expressions and lifestyles (e.g., consensual non-monogamy, tantra, BDSM)
d. Social, economic, cultural, religious/spiritual, and familial factors influencing sexual behaviors and values
e. The interaction of technology and sexuality
f. Pleasure enhancement skills

4. Intimacy and Relationships
a. Relationship dynamics and intimacy skills
b. Sexual communication between partners
c. Negotiating differences in sexual desire, interests, preferences, and values between partners

5. Professional Development
a. Ethics
b. Professional communication skills
c. Understanding and interpreting sexuality research
d. Understanding personal biases
e. Understanding professional limitations and boundaries and when to make a referral.

Note: Applicants should remain up to date on current research in the field of sexuality.

Initial Requirements Specific to the CSHS Certification

Sexual Health and Wellness
Training must include basic information and understanding of the following areas for identification and when referral is necessary and include biological, psychological, emotional, social/cultural experiences:
1. Multiple theories
a. Problematic sexual behavior and its etiology
b. The range of sexual experience from pleasure to dysfunction

2. Assessment tools and diagnostic information related to
a. Problematic sexual behaviors
b. Psychosexual disorders
c. Sexual abuse or assault survivors
d. Sexual relational trauma, including betrayal trauma

3. Intervention and treatment methods for
a. Problematic sexual behavior
b. Relationship problems impacting sex and intimacy
c. Distinguishing between sexual challenges vs sexual disorders (refer to entire list in Human
Sexuality Core Knowledge Areas 2b)
i. Sexual abuse/assault survivors, sexual relational trauma, including betrayal trauma.
ii. Sexual resilience (health, empowerment, safety, and fulfillment) in the aftermath of trauma
iii. Impact on affected family members

4. Factors relating to sexuality in diverse populations and differentiating problematic sexual behavior within those populations (e.g., LGBTQIA+, age, cultural, ethnicity, homelessness)

5. Distinguishing between problematic sexual behavior and sexual offending in the judicial context.

Sexual Offending
Training must include basic information and understanding of the following terms for
identification and when referral is necessary:

1. Assessment
2. Evaluation of sexual offenders
3. Diagnostic concerns specific to sexual offending
4. Treatment of sexual offenders
5. Impact on victims and family members
6. The criminal justice system

Complete at least fifteen (15) hours of supervision.
a. Supervision may be conducted by any CSHS Supervisor
b. Supervision may be conducted by someone who is a recognized expert in this subject matter who is not a predesignated CSHS supervisor, as approved by SASH on a case by case basis. To have such a supervisor approved, the applicant must submit a Supervisor Special Request letter, along with a copy of the supervisor's vita and a statement of the qualifying nature of the supervision.
c. A minimum of five (5) hours must be completed in individual (one on one) supervision. Two individuals in supervision can be counted toward individual supervision. The remaining supervision can occur in groups no larger than six (6) supervisees.

Certification Requirements for Renewal

1. At least 20 CEs completed every two (2) years,

a. All credits must be CE approved by an organization on the SASH credential approved list.
b. A minimum of three (3) hours in ethics.

2.Current membership in the Society for the Advancement of Sexual Health (SASH).

3. Remain up to date on current research in the field of sexuality.

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Certification FAQs

What if I want to apply for more than one certification? Is there a discount on the second one?

Applicants that are interested in more than one certification and have the qualifications to apply for two or more at the same time will receive ⅓ off the second and sequential applications. The discount only applies to those applicants applying to more than one certification at the same time.

Recipients of 3 SASH Clinical Certifications are Automatically Awarded the Distinguished Sex Therapist (DST) Certification which represent the highest level of experience and knowledge in the industry

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Can I use one training for various parts of the credential education requirements?

Yes, You can split the time between different requirements (e.g. 30 min towards anatomy and physiology, 30 min towards sexual health concerns etc.). However, you cannot use the same training twice.

How does SASH determine who gets certified? What is the process and the general timeframe?

Each application is reviewed by the credentialing committee. All applications with complete documentation will be reviewed within 30 days of receipt. Applications that lack all the necessary paperwork to process the application will experience delays. When additional requirements are requested by the committee, the applicant should seek to fulfill those requests in a timely manner. Items left unfulfilled may require the applicant to resubmit. Open applications that are incomplete will be kept open for a period of six (6) months. After that timeframe the applicant may be required to resubmit.

I'm certified by another organization how many of my hours will count toward the SASH certification? What CE providers are approved?

It depends, training that meets the credential training requirements may be eligible if the training is approved by a continuing education certifying body. Due to the diverse nature of each credential not all hours may be credited toward credential requirements. The committee will review all submitted education and training and if necessary, will request additional information to complete the application process.

Training organizations approved by the following continuing education certifying bodies likely meet the educational requirements of the individual certifications offered by SASH. It is the responsibility of the training organization offering continuing education to maintain their status as an approved provider from these organizations.

• American Psychological Association (APA)
• Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME)
• National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC- ACEP)
• National Association of Social Workers (NASW)
• Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB-ACE)
• Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (AAMFT)
• NAADAC-The Association for Addiction Professionals
• Local and state government organizations
• SASH Continuing Education Provider or Qualified Single Course Provider for SASH Credential CE’s

If I took a training but don't remember which organization approved it can I still submit it for my education requirements? How do I do this?

Any training can be submitted and is subject to review by the credentialing committee. Trainings must be verifiable. If there are specific questions related to training credits please contact SASH by writing the Credential Committee at [email protected].

Do I have to attend the SASH conference to get my certification hours?

The SASH annual conference is an excellent place to obtain hours and some sessions have a designation that identifies which education requirements are met by attending. SASH is only one place where hours can be obtained. There are other organizations that offer training meeting the education requirements. If you aren't sure, contact SASH for clarification.

How will I know when my application is complete and the processing has begun?

You will be notified by the SASH Credential Committee once all documentation has been received and processing has begun.

I need a supervisor for my application for certification. Where do I find one?

Search the online directory of approved supervisors using the specific supervisor "credential type" as the keyword.

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I have been in the field for over ten years and I don't have all my CE training certificates any longer. How can I apply?

You can submit a Qualified Exemption letter to the Credential Committee requesting that your hours apply to the desired certification. The letter will detail how you meet the different education and training requirements as well as professional practice in the field for each desired certification.

Complaints?

File a formal written complaint about a credential holder to [email protected]

What is PSB?

Problematic Sexual Behavior is an a-theoretical term that describes behaviors which conflict with values, commitments, creates consequences, control is impaired, or violates rules of sexual responsibility.

What is Sexual Wellness?

Sexual Wellness is the ability of an individual to thrive in their own sexuality. This invokes knowledge of their own sexuality as well as the absence of dysfunction and the pursuit of pleasure.

What is Trauma?

Trauma is any life event that shatters fundamental assumptions of how the world works and one's relationship to the world.