I am pleased to announce that 2.5 years of hard work and 30 hours of clinical supervision have paid off. My application to AASECT for Sex Counselor Certification was approved yesterday! AASECT stands for the American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors, and Therapists.

AASECT’s mission, taken from the website, is this:

“The American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT) is a not-for-profit, interdisciplinary professional organization. In addition to sexuality educators, sexuality counselors and sex therapists, AASECT members include physicians, nurses, social workers, psychologists, allied health professionals, clergy members, lawyers, sociologists, marriage and family counselors and therapists, family planning specialists and researchers, as well as students in relevant professional disciplines. These individuals share an interest in promoting understanding of human sexuality and healthy sexual behavior.”

One value of AASECT certification is that prospective clients know exactly what standards have been met (or exceeded) by people who have gone through this certification process. Basic education requirements, hours of practice, hours of supervision, continuing education units, and so on – the requirements are clearly defined.

I’d like to thank my supervisor, Stephen L. Braveman, as well as Charlie Glickman and Neil Cannon, who wrote letters of recommendation for me. I’d also like to thank Gretchen Finke, Stephanie Buehler, Mitch Tepper, and all those on the certification committee at AASECT. I’d also like to give a special shout out and thanks to my colleague, Heather Howard, who came forward with extremely well-timed encouragement to get moving and get my application in!

As for me, I’m just glad to know I passed muster! This allows me to feel a sense of accomplishment and opens new doors in my professional life here in the San Francisco Bay Area. And that’s so very cool, isn’t it?

FYI – As a sexologist, I am board certified through the American College of Sexologists and have my hypnosis certification through the National Guild of Hypnotists.