Professional Education in Clinical Sexology in North America.

OBJECTIVE: Opportunities for professional education and training in clinical sexology vary widely across the provinces in Canada and the states of the United States. The goal of this study was to obtain a comprehensive understanding of clinical sexology training in North America. METHOD: This mixed-methods study includes quantitative surveys and qualitative data obtained through interview and personal communication. Data were obtained independently and were integrated at the interpretation stage to allow deeper understanding of the strengths and barriers to clinical sexology training in North America. RESULTS: Clinical training in sexology is primarily available to health professionals as part of continuing education or post-graduate certificates and is often costly and time intensive. There is a dearth of integration of sexual health education throughout schooling, starting in grade school and continuing through advanced degrees in health care. While some degree programs in the health professions include competence in sexuality as part of their accreditation requirements, these competencies are inconsistently met by training programs. The lack of integrated sexual health training for health professionals reinforces stigma around discussing sexual health and is a violation of biomedical ethics. The additional burden of obtaining training in clinical sexology is a barrier to increasing the diversity of the sexual health workforce. A major exception to this overall trend is Quebec's recognition of sexology as an independent profession with its own accreditation standards and a full academic curriculum from bachelor to PhD in sexology. CONCLUSION: Professional training in clinical sexology in the US and Canada has both strengths and weaknesses. Current sociocultural influences limit access to sex education across the lifespan and create challenges in advancing the profession. Future research should work to identify ways to advance access to comprehensive sex education and training in clinical sexology.