Last updated on February 26, 2024
A sexuality coach is a rapidly growing profession, so if your interests lie in this field, this would be the perfect time to build your business. Whether you’d like to gain further knowledge in the area of sexuality or you want to add a credential that promotes your expertise to clients, getting a certification is a fantastic place to start.
There are a variety of sexuality coach certification programs out there which can make it difficult to spot the one that you need. To help you decide, we’ve picked and reviewed the best programs.
- Sex Coach U – Best Overall
- Sexual Health Alliance Certified Sexuality Coach & Consultant Program – Best for Upgrading Your Knowledge
- Somatica Institute Sex Coach Certification – Best for Learning about Somatica
Table of Contents
What Is a Sexuality Coach?
What tends to cause some confusion in the realm of sexuality coaching is the difference between a Sex Coach, Sex Therapist, and Sex Counselor. They all fall under the same umbrella, but there are some key differences:
- Sex Coach – Sex coaches provide their services through webinars, retreats, classes, and support groups. They teach sexuality and intimacy (how to explore one’s sexuality, enhance sexual pleasure, awaken desires, etc.), but they aren’t professional health counselors; rather they fall in the life coach category.
- Sex Therapist – Sex therapists are licensed mental health professionals, and they hold a certification through the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT). They are usually focused on helping individuals navigate their sexual problems and traumas by applying psychotherapy.
- Sex Counselor – Sex counselors can be advisors, school counselors, nurses, and professionals in similar roles who have an AASECT educational professional license. Their practice is client-centered and they focus on partnerships and relationships and providing short-term treatment.
If you’re wondering, “Do I need a degree to be a sexuality coach?” the truth of the matter is that sex coaches aren’t required to have any form of license. What you’ll gain by earning a certification is the ability to demonstrate to your clients that your practices and skills are in line with certain standards.
In addition to skills and knowledge, key personality traits that can help you become a sexuality coach are:
- Interest in relationships and sexual education
- Strong listening skills
- Non-judgmental
- Supportive
- Strong critical thinker
- Patient
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Sexuality Coaching Certification
If you’re interested in earning a certification, here are some factors that will help you find a suitable program:
Program Cost
Consider how much you are willing or able to spend for the certification. Prices tend to vary greatly, so having a budget can be the first step in the process of elimination to narrow the choices.
Course Length
Do you want to earn your certification within a certain timeframe? Some courses can last a year, so if you don’t have that kind of time at the moment, you can choose a shorter program for starters and build up from there later on. There are also self-paced courses that allow you to learn at your own convenience.
Accreditation
While you don’t need a diploma or certification to work as a sex coach, an accredited certification program can give you more credibility.
At the moment, the World Association of Sex Coaches (WASC) is the only certifying body for sex coaches. WASC is “dedicated to preserving and upholding the quality of professional standards and ethics for sex coaching worldwide.”
Additionally, the World Association of Sexual Health (WAS) is a reputable organization of sexuality professionals that guarantees whose credentialing adheres to rigorous standards in this field.
Best Coaching Certifications for Becoming a Sexuality Coach
In our hunt for the top sexuality coach certifications, a few courses stood out as the best of the best.
Top Pick: Sex Coach U
Sex Coach U is a comprehensive training and certification program for individuals and professionals who wish to improve their skills and knowledge of sexuality. The program was developed by Dr. Patti Britton, the pioneer of the profession of sex coaching and the author of “The Art of Sex Coaching.”
The full program includes the Core Certified Sex Coach™ program (CORE) and the Business of Sex Coaching (BOSC). The programs are sometimes offered separately, but it’s recommendable to go through both programs simultaneously for coaches who wish to monetize their knowledge.
What we love about this program is that it teaches both sexology and coaching, includes real coaching practice sessions each month, and is the only program recognized by the World Association for Sexual Health (WAS).
- Course Length: 15 months
- Program Cost: $15,597
- Accreditation: World Association for Sexual Health (WAS)
- Mode of Delivery: Online
Upgrade Option: SHA Certified Sexuality Coach & Consultant Program
If you’re already working in this field and looking to upgrade your skills and knowledge in the field of sexuality, the Sexual Health Alliance Certified Sexuality Coach & Consultant Program is for you. This course is for sex coaches, certified sex coaches, licensed therapists, sex educators, and other professionals who wish to add sexuality coaching and consulting to their services.
The program aims to teach you how to successfully provide sexuality coaching, sexuality consultations, and intimacy coaching and consulting, and to offer retreats, training, workshops, and webinars in this field.
In addition to earning an SHA certification, the program includes three online conferences and an AASECT-approved online Sexual Attitude Reassessment (SAR).
- Course Length: Self-paced
- Program Cost: $5,850
- Accreditation: Sexual Health Alliance (SHA)
- Mode of Delivery: Online
Somatica Option: Somatica Institute Sex Coach Certification
If you want to become a master of the Somatica Method and specialize in this specific niche, the Somatica Institute Sex Coach Certification is the best pick. You’ll be able to qualify yourself as a somatic sexologist, an intimacy coach, a dating coach, or a breakup coach.
The program allows you to learn from experienced professionals, get hands-on training, and equip yourself with all the skills you need to work as a sex and relationship coach. At the end of the course, you’ll receive a certification from the Somatica Institute and you’ll also satisfy the requirements to be accredited by the American Board of Sexology (ABS) as a sexologist.
- Course Length: Two 6-month immersions
- Program Cost: $12,800
- Accreditation: American Board of Sexology (ABS)
- Mode of Delivery: Online
Alternatives (non-niche)
If you don’t want to limit yourself to being a sexuality coach, you can look into other life coach training and certification programs to expand your reach and attract more clients.
You can browse through courses offered by Transformation Academy and Coach Training Alliance to learn more about popular coaching programs and gain knowledge in additional fields that will improve your skills as a sex coach. To learn more about each program, head over to our reviews: Transformation Academy and Coach Training Alliance.
FAQs
- Do you need a certification to be a sexuality coach?
While it is not required that you obtain a sexuality coach certification, it can help you build trust and reputation among clients.
- How much does a sexuality coach certification cost?
If you’d like an extensive degree-like program that will gain you an accredited certification, you’ll need to set aside significant funds for your investment (from $5,000 to over $10,000).
- Does accreditation matter in a sexuality coach certification program?
Considering that coming to a sexuality coach demands a certain level of vulnerability, clients may feel more comfortable opening up to a sexuality coach with accredited certification. However, accreditation isn’t a requirement.
Conclusion
Sexuality and relationships are sensitive topics, so clients need assurance that they can trust you. Certification can increase your value as a sexuality coach and reassure potential clients that they are in good professional hands. As a greater bonus, becoming a certified sexuality coach can help you reach that financial freedom while doing what you love.
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