Obtain your PhD in Advanced Clinical Sexology

Explore an Interdisciplinary, Flexible, and Clinically-Driven Curriculum

The Institute's PhD in Clinical Sexology is built to support a modern, in-depth exploration of human sexuality as a clinician—drawing from psychology, counseling, education, social justice, and somatic practices. Designed for working professionals, the program combines academic rigor with real-world application.

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How Our Program Delivers Academic Excellence

Our rigorous curriculum focuses on advanced specializations critical to addressing contemporary challenges in the field.

Program Philosophy:

This rigorous doctoral program is designed for Certified Sex Therapists and Counselors (or those nearing certification) seeking to achieve advanced clinical expertise, specialized knowledge, and leadership within the field of sexology. Building upon existing foundational competence, the program emphasizes the development of sophisticated assessment and intervention skills, in-depth understanding of specialized clinical areas, ethical leadership, and the creation of impactful scholarly contributions. Our approach is integrative, evidence-based, and culturally sensitive, fostering advanced clinical practice and contributing to the evolution of the field.

The outcome? You'll develop comprehensive expertise to address the most challenging clinical presentations while contributing vital innovation to advance the field.

Why Choose Our Program:

Expert Faculty – Learn from internationally recognized professors, researchers and scholars.

Clinical Research Opportunities – Access to cutting-edge labs and projects.

Global Community – We’re building the future of clinical sexology. Engage with top therapists, counselors and clinicians worldwide.

Imagine if you advanced your clinical expertise:

Confidently navigate the most complex and nuanced sexual and relational issues with a deeper understanding of advanced theoretical frameworks and specialized interventions.
Learn directly from leading experts in the field through engaging online content and intensive in-person experiences.
Collaborate and network with a cohort of driven, certified and licensed professionals who share your passion and commitment.
Contribute meaningfully to the field through impactful doctoral research.
Gain access to invaluable resources and connections through our affiliation with the Sexual Health Alliance (SHA), including their renowned Sexceptional Weekends and Annual Sexological Conference.

This Program is Specifically Engineered for Your Advanced Stage:

You've already invested time and effort in becoming certified. That's why our PhD program is meticulously designed to build directly upon your existing knowledge and skills, accelerating your journey towards advanced clinical mastery and leadership.

Advance beyond certification. Become a leader in clinical scholarship

Limited to ~40 doctoral candidates per cohort.
Our selective admission ensures personalized faculty attention and a collaborative scholarly community.

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Curriculum at a Glance

First Year Clinical Residency

STFC — Sex Therapy Foundations: Critical and Contemporary Perspectives

This advanced course critically examines core sex therapy and counseling concepts, starting with what sex therapy truly entails in today's world. The curriculum also dives into arousal template exploration, the pervasive influence of gender roles, the phenomenon of pleasure phobia, the complex intersection of religion and sex, the nuances of sexual self-esteem, and the concept of sexual bypassing. We'll further challenge the very notion of "sexual dysfunctions," reframing these within a broader sexual health paradigm. Each topic is thoroughly explored through its mental and sexual health implications, supported by vivid case examples, and directly connected to practical clinical applications for your advanced practice.

STT1 – Integrative Sex Therapy: Advanced Theory, Assessment, and Intervention

Healthy sexual functioning is reviewed as well as the assessment and treatment of sexuality dysfunctions and disorders. Students will address personal attitudes, beliefs, and biases regarding sexuality. A critical component of this course involves students actively addressing and exploring their personal attitudes, beliefs, and biases regarding sexuality, recognizing how these may impact clinical effectiveness and therapeutic neutrality. Through a combination of advanced theoretical frameworks, detailed case conceptualizations, and direct clinical practice implications, students will refine their ability to diagnose, formulate treatment plans, and implement sophisticated interventions for a wide range of complex sexual presentations.

SST1 – Somatic Sex Therapy and Application

This advanced course draws on many of the main principles in somatic sexology including polyvagal theory, attachment theory, and mindfulness. It will address somatic sexological ways to reframe and heal sexual problems. Understanding how to utilize a brain and body perspective informs effective somatic sex therapy interventions. We will explore how to use somatics to move clients toward states of embodiment and empowerment which creates an ideal foundation for sexual health. Students will learn the tools to get clients out of the talk therapy space and into their sexual bodies.

Second Year Clinical Residency

STP2 – Advanced Clinical Practice and Supervision in Sex Therapy

The purpose of this course is to help Advanced Clinical Sexology students deepen their clinical practice knowledge, skills, and application in clinical sexology work. Through a series of lectures, readings, exercises, and demonstrations, this course will introduce you to the ways that clinical sexologists approach the conceptualization, assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of sexual problems. Using a reflective and experiential process, building upon learning in the other classes, students will also engage in clinical case presentations that include case conceptualization, diagnosis, treatment planning, and intervention, as well as constructive feedback from the instructor.

STR2 — Sexual Trauma and Therapeutic Restoration

This advanced course provides a comprehensive and critical examination of the complex interplay between trauma (including developmental, relational, and sexual trauma) and its profound impact on sexual health, functioning, and intimacy. Students will learn the neurobiological and psychological models of trauma response, exploring how these manifest in various sexual challenges, including desire discrepancies, arousal difficulties, pain disorders, and issues with sexual expression and connection. The course explores trauma-informed assessment strategies and advanced therapeutic interventions, focusing on ethical considerations, creating safety, promoting resilience, and facilitating healing for individuals and couples navigating the aftermath of trauma in their sexual lives.

ACP2 — Advanced Clinical Practice with Diverse Populations and Emerging Sexual Health Issues

This advanced course deepens clinical competence in working with diverse and often underserved populations, as well as addressing emerging and complex topics in sex therapy and counseling. Building upon foundational understanding, students will engage with nuanced considerations for affirmative and effective practice with individuals and relationships. The course also explores cutting-edge and less commonly addressed areas such as the impact of technology on sexuality, and the intersection of various identities with sexual health. Through critical analysis of current research and advanced case conceptualization, students will develop specialized intervention strategies to promote sexual well-being and advocate for sexual justice within these diverse contexts.

Additional Sample Online Courses

Advanced Foundations & Specialized Clinical Acumen

Advanced Clinical Skills and Specialized Knowledge: Foundations, Assessment, and Core Interventions

Sexual Theories, Intersectionality, and Clinical Application

Advanced Sexual Functioning, Practices, and Clinical Interventions

Gender, Sexuality, Diverse Relationships, and Affirmative Clinical Practice

Relationships, Couples Work, and Systemic Sex Therapy

Methodology I: Advanced Clinical Research Design for Clinical Sexology

Specialized Clinical Expertise & Professional Leadership

Specialized Clinical Practice I: Special Topics

Specialized Clinical Practice II: Special Topics

Problems, Professional Ethics, and Advanced Issues in Sex Therapy

Alternative Sexualities: Non-monogamy and kink and in Clinical Practice

Global Sexualities: Cultural Competence and Cross-Cultural Sex Therapy

Forensic Sexology: Advanced Clinical and Legal Applications

Gender and Queer Theory: Clinical Implications and Application

Doctoral Research & Comprehensive Milestones

Clinical Comprehensive Examination
Doctoral Project Proposal Seminar*
Advanced Clinical Consultation, Ethical Leadership, and Professional Development

*An Applied Doctoral Project recognizes that a doctoral-level contribution can take many forms beyond traditional empirical research. For advanced clinical professionals, demonstrating the capacity to innovate, develop, and evaluate practical solutions directly within the clinical sphere is a highly valuable and academically rigorous endeavor. This seminar allows you to leverage your extensive clinical experience and directly apply scholarly principles to real-world challenges in sex therapy and counseling, thereby contributing significantly to improved practice and service delivery. Pathways culminate in a formal scholarly project and an oral defense, demonstrating your mastery of advanced knowledge, critical thinking, and communication skills at the doctoral level.

Program Structure:

The program spans five semesters (each approximately 15 weeks) over two academic years. It strategically integrates self-paced online learning with intensive in-person clinical residencies. Significant emphasis is placed on advanced clinical consultation and dissertation research.

Hybrid Program Format Includes:

Annual 6-day in-person immersive intensive, including a 3 full days clinical residence and a 3 day attendance at SHA’s Annual Sexological Conference
40 hours of live online supervision annually, held monthly (excluding December and June)
12 Live Online Weekends, to be taken within 24 months
Quarterly live online courses and self-paced coursework via our education platform
Access to sections of our affiliate’s programs

Prerequisites:

Master’s degree in counseling, therapy, or a clinical field with a licensure option
Official transcript, valid ID, CV/resume
Certification in sex therapy or counseling from an approved program, or active enrollment in an approved certification program

Core Program Components:

Advanced Online Coursework: Hosted on an interactive learning platform, including video lectures, scholarly readings, multimedia materials, discussion forums, and applied activities.
In-Person Clinical Residencies: Once per academic year, these immersive intensives provide advanced experiential training, small-group supervision, video-based case consultations, specialized workshops, and peer/faculty networking. Intensives occur just before SHA’s Annual Sexological Conference.

Approved Programs Must Include:

150+ CE hours of online coursework
45+ hours of live/in-person training
Completion of one SAR (14 CEs)
Supervision