What Does It Really Take to Become AASECT Certified? A Roadmap for Aspiring Sex Therapists & Educators
Let’s be honest—if you’ve spent any time poking around the world of sex therapy or sexuality education, you’ve probably heard that AASECT certification is the “gold standard.” People toss around those four letters like confetti at a graduation ceremony. Maybe you’ve scrolled through the requirements on their website, your eyes glazing over somewhere around “90 clock hours” and “SAR,” and thought, Is this even doable for someone like me? Or is this only for people with secret handshakes and a direct line to the Sex Therapy Illuminati?
Here’s the truth: AASECT certification is rigorous—but not mysterious. It’s designed to ensure that sex therapists and educators are highly skilled, ethically grounded, and prepared to support the incredible diversity of real people’s lives, bodies, relationships, and identities. If you’re passionate about sex-positive, trauma-informed, inclusive practice—this path is absolutely for you.
But what does it actually take? What happens after you decide, “Yes, I want to do this,” and before you can pop “AASECT Certified” into your email signature without an ounce of impostor syndrome?
That’s what we’re unpacking here. This is your no-BS, step-by-step guide to navigating the labyrinth of AASECT Sex Therapy and Sexuality Education Certification. Whether you’re just starting to dream, or you’re halfway through and knee-deep in documentation, you’ll find clarity, context, and practical tips—plus a peek at how The Somatic Collective supports you at every stage.
Here’s what we’ll cover:
Why AASECT certification matters (and who it’s for)
Every major requirement, demystified—degrees, hours, SAR, supervision, and more
What you’ll actually learn along the way (spoiler: it’s more than you think)
Pitfalls to avoid, and how to make the process accessible and sustainable
How The Somatic Collective makes this journey possible for folks from marginalized and underrepresented communities
Grab your beverage of choice, take a deep breath, and let’s pull back the curtain on what it really takes to become AASECT certified. Spoiler: You don’t need a secret handshake. You just need clarity, community, and the right roadmap.
Why Pursue AASECT Certification?
Let’s address the elephant in the room: Why bother with AASECT certification in the first place? If you’re already working in mental health, healthcare, or sexuality education, you might be thinking, Do I really need another credential? Is this worth the time, the money, and the occasional paperwork-induced existential crisis?
AASECT: Setting the Bar for Sex Therapy and Sexuality Education
AASECT isn’t just a professional association—it’s the professional association for anyone who wants to be taken seriously in the world of sex therapy and sexuality education in the United States (and increasingly, globally). Their certification standards are widely considered the most comprehensive, up-to-date, and socially responsible benchmarks out there. When you’re AASECT certified, you’re signaling to clients, colleagues, employers, and referral partners that you’ve gone through serious, evidence-based, and ethically grounded training.
Who Actually Benefits from Certification?
Your Clients: Certification means you’ve received rigorous, trauma-informed, and up-to-date training. Clients are savvy—they want to know their provider isn’t just “sex-positive” in theory, but actually educated and accountable to a national standard.
You, the Professional: Certification boosts your credibility, visibility, and career options. It’s often required for advanced clinical roles, teaching, consulting, or insurance paneling. If you dream of leading trainings, supervising others, or expanding your impact, AASECT is your golden ticket.
The Broader Community: In a field long dominated by heteronormative, cisgender, able-bodied perspectives, AASECT is slowly—imperfectly, but steadily—becoming more inclusive. Certified professionals from diverse backgrounds can open doors for clients and students who’ve never before seen themselves represented.
Your Professional Network: Membership comes with community, mentorship, and opportunities to learn from the best in the field—often in spaces committed to anti-oppression, neurodiversity, and authentic self-reflection.
Is It Worth It?
Let’s keep it real: Certification is an investment. It asks for your time, your money, your vulnerability, and your willingness to grow in ways you probably can’t anticipate when you start.
But here’s what you get:
A solid, transferable skill set (not just for clinical work, but for teaching, advocacy, and consulting)
A seat at the table in policy, research, and professional advancement
Increased visibility and marketability, especially for those seeking to stand out in a crowded mental health or education market
A built-in accountability structure to support ethical practice and professional growth
A chance to reimagine what “expertise” looks like, especially if you hold marginalized or intersectional identities
Certification ≠ Instant Success—But It Does Set You Apart
AASECT certification won’t magically fill your practice, grant you instant clout, or eliminate all the challenges of being a marginalized provider in a sometimes stubborn field. But it will open doors, connect you to allies, and give you tools you can’t get anywhere else. In a world that’s just beginning to catch up with the full diversity of human sexuality, being AASECT certified is a way to stand tall and say, “I’m here, I’m accountable, and I’m doing this work with integrity.”
Bottom line: If you’re ready to move beyond “just winging it” and step into a field hungry for inclusive, trauma-informed, and rigorously trained professionals, AASECT certification is your path forward.
Ready to see what it actually takes? Let’s get into the nuts and bolts.
The Core Pillars of Certification
So you’re fired up and ready to go. But before you start collecting clock hours like Pokémon cards, it’s time to get brutally clear on the “must-haves” of the AASECT certification process. This is where many folks get stuck—there’s jargon, there are acronyms, and there are just enough fine-print rules to make even the most detail-oriented person reach for a snack.
Let’s break down the non-negotiables, bust a few myths, and make sure you know exactly what the foundation of your certification journey will look like.
Academic Degree & Licensure (Therapy Track)
First things first: If you’re aiming to be a Certified Sex Therapist (rather than solely an educator or counselor), you need a graduate degree in a clinical field and an active license that allows you to practice psychotherapy independently.
What Degrees Count?
Master’s Degree (e.g., counseling, social work, marriage & family therapy, clinical psychology, psychiatric nursing, or medicine)
Doctoral Degree (PhD, PsyD, EdD, MD, etc.)
Your degree must come from an accredited college or university—no “diploma mill” shortcuts.
Licensure Requirements
You need to hold a state license or certificate that lets you independently practice psychotherapy in your field. No student or associate licenses.
If you’re outside the U.S., you’ll need to show how your licensure compares to AASECT’s requirements.
Why Are These The Only Options?
This isn’t gatekeeping for its own sake. Sex therapy is real therapy—it’s about navigating trauma, relationships, and deeply vulnerable material. AASECT wants to make sure you’re qualified to hold that space legally and ethically, before you even start stacking up those sexology hours.
AASECT Membership: Your VIP Pass
You can’t start the official clock on your training until you’re an AASECT member in good standing. It’s not just a formality—membership means access to the latest resources, events, and a supportive community of colleagues at all levels.
When do you join? Before you start any training you want to count toward certification. Don’t wait until you’ve already started a course!
Perks: Access to members-only resources, discounted training, networking, and eligibility to attend or present at AASECT conferences and events.
The Big Four “Pillars” of Certification
Once your degree and license (and membership!) are squared away, your journey will be built on these four major pillars. Every AASECT applicant must show:
Core Knowledge Coursework (90 clock hours)
A deep dive into the full spectrum of human sexuality—think of it as your sexology “liberal arts” education. (We’ll break this down in detail in the next section.)Sex Therapy Skills Training (60 clock hours)
This is where you move from “book smart” to “practice smart.” You’ll gain hands-on skills in assessment, intervention, and ethical decision-making with real-world sexual concerns.Sexual Attitude Reassessment (SAR)
A unique, experiential group experience designed to help you confront and expand your own attitudes and values about sexuality—because you can’t teach or hold space for what you haven’t examined in yourself.Supervision & Clinical Experience
Not just any supervision—fifty hours (minimum 18 months) with an AASECT-certified supervisor, while treating at least 300 hours of clients with sexual concerns. You’ll also need recommendation letters from supervisors and colleagues.
Bonus Round: There are optional ways to earn some hours (through publications, teaching, etc.), but you can’t “test out” of the major requirements.
What If I’m Not a Clinician? (Educator/Counselor Track)
If you’re aiming to be a Certified Sex Educator or Counselor rather than a therapist, your requirements will differ a bit—especially around degree/licensure and supervision. But the spirit is the same: rigorous coursework, SAR, and specialized skills training. (We’ll have a separate deep dive into these options soon!)
What Trips People Up? (And How to Avoid It)
Starting too soon: Taking courses or SARs before joining AASECT can mean your hours don’t count.
Licensure confusion: “Provisionally licensed” doesn’t cut it—you must be able to practice independently.
Assuming prior experience will cover everything: Clinical experience, teaching, and publications can help, but only if they’re properly documented and accepted by AASECT.
Building Your Foundation in Core Knowledge Areas (90 Hours)
Picture the foundation of any sturdy house: it needs to be broad, balanced, and built to last through storms. That’s exactly how AASECT treats the academic side of certification. Before you’re ever handed a case file, you’ll be required to spend a minimum of ninety clock hours deeply immersed in what AASECT calls the “Core Knowledge Areas”—a sweeping collection of topics designed to cover the realities, the messiness, and the richness of human sexuality.
But what does this mean, in practice? The journey into these knowledge areas is a commitment to learning about sexuality from every angle: biological, psychological, sociocultural, developmental, and historical. This is not just a deep dive into anatomy or the mechanics of sex, but an exploration of how sexuality is shaped by ethnicity, family values, religion, disability, neurodiversity, orientation, pleasure, trauma, technology, and so much more. Think of it as a holistic “sexology boot camp,” with you emerging not just smarter, but also more culturally humble, trauma-informed, and aware of your own learning edges.
Completing these ninety hours isn’t just about logging time in a classroom (whether in-person or on Zoom). It’s about engaging with the full spectrum of topics that shape our understanding of sexual health and well-being. You’ll study the arc of human development across the lifespan—how children, teens, adults, and elders all experience sexuality differently. You’ll wrestle with big questions about sexual orientation, gender identity, intimacy, and relationship dynamics. You’ll confront how issues like race, class, spirituality, and social power shape our most private selves.
What often surprises people is just how current and intersectional this content has to be. You’ll be required to examine topics like pleasure, sexual exploitation, disability, reproductive health, substance use, and even the role of digital technology in our sexual lives. This isn’t a curriculum stuck in the past—it’s a living, breathing body of knowledge that must include up-to-date research and real-world applications, especially for areas like medical factors, cyber sexuality, and harm reduction.
One of the places folks sometimes stumble is understanding what counts toward these hours. AASECT is clear that your foundation can be built through academic courses, AASECT-approved continuing education, or—if you’ve made original contributions—through things like peer-reviewed publications or designing your own sexuality training. But there are rules about how those hours add up. For example, fifteen of those ninety hours must be completed “synchronously”—that is, live, whether in-person or virtually—so you’re engaging in real-time learning and discussion, not just clicking through slides at home. The rest can be asynchronous, offering flexibility for busy professionals or those navigating access barriers.
It’s not enough to scatter your hours randomly among your interests, either. AASECT expects you to touch on every one of the core areas, with a minimum number of hours dedicated to each. This ensures that you won’t, for example, spend your whole education focused only on trauma and miss out on the science of pleasure, or get so caught up in anatomy that you overlook cultural humility. There’s also a cap—no more than twenty hours in any one area—so your knowledge stays balanced.
At The Somatic Collective, we know that not everyone comes to this work with the same background, privileges, or access. That’s why our approach to the core knowledge areas is intentionally trauma-informed, anti-oppressive, and designed to bridge academic content with lived experience. We’re committed to integrating marginalized voices, critical perspectives, and real-world case material—not just textbook theory—so you leave your foundation-building not only competent, but also deeply connected to the communities you serve.
Completing your core knowledge hours is about more than checking boxes for certification. It’s about honoring the complex, intersectional realities that every client, student, or community member brings with them. If you’re hoping for a credential that means more than a line on your CV, this is where you lay the groundwork for a career that is both credible and compassionate. And yes, it’s a lot of hours—but it’s also an invitation to become the kind of professional our field (and our world) truly needs.
Next up, we’ll explore how you move from this rich academic foundation into the hands-on, practical skills that make sex therapy and education a living, breathing craft.
Turning Knowledge Into Practice with Sex Therapy Skills Training (60 Hours)
Building a strong foundation of knowledge is vital, but what truly shapes a sex therapist is what happens when the theory meets the living, breathing messiness of real people’s lives. This is where sex therapy skills training comes in—an essential, immersive experience designed to transform abstract understanding into confident, ethical, and responsive clinical practice.
AASECT requires a minimum of sixty hours of dedicated skills training, ensuring that you don’t just “know about” sex therapy, but can actually do it. Here, you step away from the comfort of textbooks and academic discussions, rolling up your sleeves to practice the art and science of helping individuals, couples, and communities navigate their sexual concerns with nuance, humility, and heart.
But what does sex therapy skills training really look like? Think of it as a dynamic laboratory where you’re invited to test, refine, and expand your therapeutic toolkit. You’ll be exposed to a wide array of approaches, from foundational models like cognitive-behavioral, psychodynamic, and humanistic therapies to more specialized methods that address the unique needs of neurodivergent clients, folks in kink or non-monogamous relationships, and those navigating trauma or medical challenges. You’ll learn how to conduct assessments, develop treatment plans, and intervene skillfully with a variety of psychosexual concerns—from desire discrepancy and sexual pain to compulsive behaviors and complex relational dynamics.
This isn’t just about learning what works “in theory.” You’ll be asked to engage deeply with the realities of practicing sex therapy: making tough ethical decisions, collaborating with medical professionals, working with diverse relationship systems, and knowing when and how to refer out for specialized care. It’s a space to grapple with power dynamics, transference, cultural humility, and the ever-present need for trauma-informed, consent-centered practice.
One crucial feature of this skills training is its balance between structure and flexibility. Half of your hours—thirty, to be precise—must be completed synchronously, meaning you’ll participate in live, interactive training sessions. These are designed for you to ask questions in real time, role-play scenarios, and receive immediate feedback from experienced facilitators and peers. The remaining thirty hours can be earned asynchronously, giving you room to absorb and reflect on complex material at your own pace.
At The Somatic Collective, we see skills training as more than a means to certification. For us, it’s a transformational process where you’ll not only practice interventions, but also explore your own comfort zones, biases, and therapeutic “edges.” Our approach is rooted in anti-oppressive, neurodiversity-affirming, and body-based practices, ensuring that what you learn is relevant and responsive to the real lives and identities of your future clients.
You won’t just rehearse “cookie-cutter” interventions or memorize a set of protocols. Instead, you’ll be encouraged to develop clinical intuition—the ability to hold space for complexity, to stay present with discomfort, and to navigate unexpected twists in the therapeutic journey. Whether you’re sitting with a client’s vulnerability around sexual trauma, helping a couple negotiate consent in a polyamorous relationship, or working through the shame that so often shadows sexual difficulties, your skills training prepares you for it all.
AASECT’s requirements ensure you cover all the bases: from initial assessment and diagnosis, to treatment planning, to ethical practice and collaboration. But the real magic happens when you’re supported to bring your authentic self into the work—combining professional rigor with genuine care and curiosity.
As you complete your sixty hours of sex therapy skills training, you’re not just collecting CE credits; you’re stepping into the role of healer, advocate, and guide. You’re preparing to hold stories that may never have been spoken aloud, and to do so with integrity, humility, and a commitment to ongoing growth.
Next, we’ll dive into an experience that can’t be found in any textbook: the Sexual Attitude Reassessment (SAR)—a process that invites you to examine your own beliefs and values as deeply as you’ll ever ask a client to.
SAR: Sexual Attitude Reassessment—The Heart of the Journey
If there’s a single part of AASECT certification that both intimidates and transforms people, it’s the SAR. Short for Sexual Attitude Reassessment, the SAR isn’t your typical workshop or lecture. In fact, it’s probably unlike any other professional training you’ll encounter. Instead of more theory, you’ll step directly into a powerful, process-oriented space where the subject is—quite simply—you.
So, what is a SAR, and why is it required? AASECT designed the SAR to help aspiring sex therapists and educators get radically honest about their own beliefs, biases, blind spots, and values around sexuality. For fourteen hours (the required minimum), you’ll join a group of fellow participants and facilitators to explore the full, diverse spectrum of human sexual experience—not just intellectually, but emotionally and viscerally. This might involve viewing explicit media, hearing stories or panels from people whose experiences challenge your assumptions, and engaging in small group conversations that invite vulnerability and self-reflection.
Unlike typical academic coursework, the SAR isn’t about gathering facts or learning new techniques. It’s a psycho-educational, experiential journey into your own internal world: your discomforts, your judgments, your sources of compassion and resistance. Here, the curriculum is your reaction—what makes you curious, what surprises you, what pushes your buttons, and where you feel called to expand your empathy.
The process is designed to be unsettling—in the best possible way. You might find yourself shocked by your own reactions, unexpectedly moved by a story that doesn’t match your identity, or sitting in discomfort when your values collide with those of others in the room. This is all intentional. The SAR exists to stretch the edges of your understanding, because you cannot fully hold space for your clients’ diverse lives until you have honestly examined your own.
What makes a SAR truly special is its emphasis on safety and confidentiality. Facilitators are trained not only in group dynamics, but also in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) principles, ensuring a respectful and trauma-informed environment. You’re never forced to share anything you’re not ready to, and you have the choice to opt out of viewing or discussing particular materials that feel too emotionally charged. Yet, growth often happens right at those edges—where discomfort meets curiosity.
AASECT sets clear standards for SAR content: it must address a broad range of topics including sexual orientation, gender identity, consensual non-monogamy, kink, disability, aging, self-pleasure, cultural and religious influences, and more. The facilitators will intentionally bring in perspectives that are often ignored or marginalized in mainstream sexuality education, holding space for intersectionality and lived experience.
At The Somatic Collective, we treat the SAR as a rite of passage. Our SARs are intentionally crafted to center accessibility, anti-oppression, and authentic diversity—ensuring that people from all backgrounds, identities, and bodies can participate fully and safely. We believe that every professional deserves a SAR experience that’s not just a requirement, but a catalyst for genuine transformation. We also offer supports for those who may be nervous, cautious, or carrying trauma into this space—because everyone’s edge is different, and real growth isn’t about shame or endurance, but honest, supported exploration.
By the end of your SAR, you’ll have not only new insights about sexuality, but also a deeper awareness of yourself: what you carry, what you’re still unpacking, and how your own story might impact the way you show up for clients and communities. You’ll leave with more questions than answers—and that’s the point. The SAR is an invitation to keep learning, keep examining, and keep widening your professional and personal horizons.
And just as important as the experience itself, you’ll be asked to articulate your evolving professional philosophy in writing—a statement that becomes a living document for your career. How has your SAR changed your understanding of your role? Where have your values shifted? What new commitments are you making to equity, inclusion, and compassionate practice?
If you’ve been waiting for the part of certification that truly changes people, this is it. The SAR is not a hoop to jump through; it’s the very heart of becoming a sex therapist or educator who is genuinely prepared to hold space for the breathtaking, complicated, sometimes messy range of human sexuality.
Up next, we’ll look at what it means to be guided by expert mentorship—exploring the vital (and sometimes misunderstood) role of supervision on your path to certification.
Supervision: Hands-On Learning From Experiences (50 Hours + Clinical Experience)
If knowledge is the foundation and skills training is the frame, supervision is the living, ongoing process that gives your sex therapy practice its depth and resilience. In truth, supervision is where the puzzle pieces of your education come together. It’s where you take what you’ve learned in the classroom and the SAR and test it in the real world—with a wise, experienced guide by your side.
AASECT requires at least fifty hours of supervision, spread over a minimum of eighteen months. That’s not a random number; it’s about giving you time to absorb, reflect, stumble, regroup, and truly grow. You’ll be working with a certified AASECT supervisor—someone who’s been down this road before, who has a wide-angle view of both the nuances and the landmines, and who is committed to your development not just as a technician, but as an ethical, self-aware, and client-centered professional.
This is not the kind of supervision you might remember from grad school—where an overloaded supervisor signs off on your hours, barely looking up from their paperwork. AASECT supervision is deliberate and relational. It’s a dynamic, collaborative process, blending formal teaching with case consultation, gentle challenge, and honest feedback. It’s a space for you to wrestle with tricky cases, to unpack your countertransference, to examine the impact of your own identities, and to celebrate those moments when your interventions land just right.
During your supervision, you’ll need to provide evidence of at least 300 hours of clinical work with clients who present with sexual concerns. These cases might be complex—ranging from survivors of trauma, to clients exploring alternative relationship structures, to those navigating sexual dysfunction, out-of-control sexual behaviors, or issues around sexual orientation and gender identity. You’ll learn how to integrate theoretical orientation, assessment, and treatment planning with humility and flexibility.
AASECT sets clear parameters for this process. At least twenty-five of your supervision hours must be individual (one-on-one), with the remainder allowed in a group context—so you get both personal guidance and the rich learning that comes from hearing other therapists’ perspectives. Your supervision must be formally contracted, and the hours need to be clearly documented—no retroactive sign-offs or “guesstimates” allowed. Your supervisor will also play a key role in your certification application, providing both formal endorsement and a letter of recommendation that speaks to your ethics, your competence, and your readiness to join the field.
At The Somatic Collective, we treat supervision as a form of professional stewardship and mutual transformation. Our supervisors are deeply invested not only in your skills, but also in your sense of self, your resilience, and your ability to navigate the inevitable complexities and emotional labor of this work. We prioritize supervision that is anti-oppressive, intersectional, and responsive to your lived experience—knowing that true clinical wisdom comes from honoring your voice as much as any established model.
Many people are surprised by how much they come to value this process. Supervision becomes a space where you can bring not just clinical puzzles, but the doubts, frustrations, and big-picture questions that come with sex therapy: What if I get it wrong? What if my own stuff comes up? How do I advocate for clients in systems that are still so pathologizing? What does ethical practice look like when the answers aren’t clear?
The answer, always, is that you don’t have to do it alone. Supervision is a living reminder that this work—at its best—is always done in community. It’s your safety net, your mirror, and your launchpad. When certification is finally within reach, it’s supervision that will have shaped you most: not only as a clinician, but as a human committed to holding space for the wild, brave, healing work of sexual wellness.
Next, we’ll talk about the nuts and bolts of the final stretch: documentation, endorsements, and how to actually cross the finish line with your AASECT certification application.
The Final Stretch: Applications, Documentation & Endorsements
After months—or, more likely, years—of deep learning, challenging yourself, and stretching your clinical wings, you arrive at the final stretch: putting together your AASECT certification application. For many, this part feels both exhilarating and overwhelming. Suddenly, all those hours, trainings, and experiences must be translated into paperwork, proof, and polished narratives that capture your journey.
First, it’s important to remember: Nobody gets through this alone. Even the most organized among us end up with questions, missing documentation, or a moment of panic about whether that one training “counts.” This is normal. If you’ve made it this far, you already have the dedication and resourcefulness to finish the process—and support is always available, whether through your supervisor, colleagues, or programs like The Somatic Collective.
The AASECT application itself is thorough, but not designed to trick you. You’ll be asked for transcripts from your academic and continuing education work, proof of licensure, and evidence of completed clock hours across all required areas—core knowledge, skills training, SAR, and supervision. Every hour must be carefully documented, with certificates, syllabi, or program outlines to show not just what you attended, but what you actually learned. You’ll also provide a summary of your clinical work, including the populations you’ve served, the kinds of sexual concerns you’ve treated, and a statement about your theoretical approach.
One of the most crucial elements is your professional philosophy—shaped by your SAR and supervision experiences. AASECT isn’t just looking for a checklist; they want to see your capacity for self-reflection, cultural humility, and ethical reasoning. This is your chance to articulate what makes you a different kind of provider: What have you learned about yourself? How do your identities, values, and lived experiences inform your work? Where have you changed, and where are you still growing?
Endorsements play a vital role here. Your primary supervisor will provide a detailed recommendation, speaking to your readiness, your ethics, and your clinical competence. You’ll also need endorsements from two professional colleagues—people who can vouch for your integrity, your collaborative spirit, and your commitment to serving clients well. These letters matter; they show AASECT that you are part of a larger professional community and that your work is respected by peers.
It’s easy to underestimate the time and attention needed to gather all this documentation. Give yourself a generous runway—months, not weeks—especially if you need to request transcripts, chase down old certificates, or clarify details with past supervisors or educators. Many applicants create spreadsheets or checklists, breaking the process into manageable steps. Others work with mentors or cohort groups, trading drafts, reviewing each other’s statements, and sharing resources.
Along the way, expect bumps. Maybe a workshop doesn’t count the way you thought. Maybe you’re missing an hour here or there. Maybe your supervisor is slow to respond. The key is to stay flexible and ask for help early—AASECT and organizations like The Somatic Collective are invested in your success, not in gatekeeping for its own sake.
Finally, know that the review process takes time. Once you submit your application, it may be months before you receive a decision. If there’s a request for more information or clarification, don’t panic. It’s a normal part of the process, and an opportunity to strengthen your application even further.
Crossing this finish line isn’t just a bureaucratic hurdle—it’s a powerful moment of recognition. You’re not just someone who’s “interested” in sex therapy or education. You’re a professional who has invested deeply in becoming ethical, skilled, and reflective—ready to serve real people in a complicated, beautiful, and ever-changing world.
Next, we’ll answer some of the most common “Wait, do I really have to…?” questions and demystify a few persistent myths that can trip up even the most determined applicants.
Why Train Here with The Somatic Collective?
Amidst all the certification options and course catalogs, you might wonder: “Why The Somatic Collective? What makes this community the right fit for me, especially when the stakes are high and my time is precious?”
The answer isn’t just about checking boxes for AASECT—it’s about how you want to feel, learn, and grow along the way. At The Somatic Collective, we don’t believe in one-size-fits-all education, nor do we think rigorous training has to come at the expense of compassion, inclusion, or flexibility. Our mission is to prepare you not just as a certified professional, but as a changemaker—someone who’s ready to serve the real, beautiful complexity of today’s world.
What sets us apart? It starts with our values.
We put anti-oppression, trauma-informed practice, and neurodiversity at the center of everything we do. Our courses aren’t just up-to-date—they’re designed to be responsive to the lived experiences of marginalized and historically excluded communities. That means bringing intersectionality out of theory and into daily practice: addressing race, class, gender, ability, sexuality, and power in a way that is actionable, not just aspirational.
When you join The Somatic Collective, you’re joining a community, not just a curriculum. Our faculty and supervisors are not only experts in their fields—they’re passionate about mentorship, accessibility, and creating safer spaces for growth. Whether you’re a seasoned clinician or someone who’s been historically “on the margins,” you’ll find support tailored to your needs. We offer cohort-based learning, ongoing peer groups, and access to live, real-time experiences—making sure you never have to go it alone.
Accessibility isn’t a buzzword for us. We know that barriers exist—financial, physical, emotional, and systemic. That’s why we prioritize offering scholarships, sliding-scale options, and flexible course formats (synchronous and asynchronous) to meet you where you are. Our SARs are intentionally crafted to be inclusive, trauma-aware, and deeply transformative, centering DEI not as an afterthought, but as the foundation.
We’re also relentless about connecting what you learn to how you practice. Every knowledge area, every skills module, every supervision session is built around real-world application. You won’t just memorize theories—you’ll engage with case studies, scenario-based learning, and reflective practice that prepares you for the work ahead. Our feedback is honest and constructive, designed to sharpen your strengths while holding space for growth.
Above all, we honor your lived experience as part of your expertise. We believe the field of sexuality needs more voices—especially from queer, trans, neurodivergent, BIPOC, disabled, fat, and otherwise marginalized professionals. We are committed to challenging the gatekeeping and elitism that too often define professional spaces. If you’ve ever felt unseen or underestimated, know that The Somatic Collective was created with you in mind.
Graduates of our programs don’t just walk away with a certificate; they leave with a professional family, a deeper connection to their own values, and the skills to navigate both clinical complexity and community leadership. They become the providers, educators, and advocates our communities need—resilient, reflective, and truly ready to make a difference.
So if you’re looking for an AASECT training journey that feels human, flexible, and grounded in justice, welcome home. At The Somatic Collective, you’re not just earning a credential. You’re joining a movement.
Ready to start your journey? Reach out for a free info session, email the Founder of The Somatic Collective, Dr. Misty directly, at hello@somaticcollective.com or connect with our alumni—because your story, your wisdom, and your presence are exactly what our field needs next.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve made it this far—reading, reflecting, maybe even jotting down your own questions or anxieties—you already embody the spirit that drives great sex therapists and sexuality educators: curiosity, commitment, and the willingness to keep learning.
The path to AASECT certification isn’t easy. It asks a lot of you—your time, your honesty, your willingness to wrestle with complex ideas and your own edges. But that’s also why it matters. This isn’t just about collecting CE credits or adding another line to your resumé. It’s about preparing yourself to serve real people in a world that is hungry for skilled, ethical, and inclusive professionals—people who can meet clients where they are, hold space for the hard stuff, and celebrate the infinite ways human sexuality is expressed.
The good news is: you don’t have to do this alone. Whether you’re at the very beginning of your journey, feeling lost in a sea of requirements, or nearly at the finish line and looking for community, The Somatic Collective is here to walk alongside you. We’ve built our programs and our culture around the belief that education should be accessible, transformative, and rooted in justice—because that’s what creates real change in the world and in ourselves.
So, take a breath. The journey is long, but you are absolutely capable. There will be moments of uncertainty (everyone has them), but also flashes of pride, connection, and clarity that make every step worth it. Certification is not the end point—it’s just the beginning of your impact.
If you’re ready to take the next step—whether it’s signing up for a course, reaching out for mentorship, or just joining our community newsletter—know that you’re welcome here. The field of sexuality needs more voices like yours, more perspectives, and more leaders who are willing to keep asking bold questions.
Let’s do this, together.
