UMass Boston

Sex & Sexuality in Counseling Practice

Course #: COUNSL 666, Class #: 5526, Section #: 01

Description

Counselors are often unprepared for the kinds of issues that children and adults bring to therapy that focus on sex, sexual identify, and sexual experiences. This course explores various approaches to understanding sex and sexuality in the counseling hour. Students will discuss and analyze historical approaches to issues of sexual function, dysfunction, intimacy, and sexual identity in individuals and couples and families (and to some extent societies). We focus on healthy sexuality but also integrate theory and practice around victimization and sex offending. Students will examine their own sexual histories and understand their own values, biases and assumptions regarding sexuality and sexual functioning, and the potential impact of these issues on their ability to become effective, compassionate therapists.