Certification Process

Certification Process

Year One: Educational Foundation

The first year of the program focuses on comprehensive academic training in psychosexual therapy. Learners participate in weekly live classes held on Tuesdays from 12pm–3pm EST. In addition to live instruction, learners engage in structured coursework between sessions, including assignments, quizzes, and written reflections designed to deepen both theoretical knowledge and clinical thinking.

Upon completion of the educational year, learners must successfully pass a final examination and participate in a formal interview process to determine readiness for clinical training.

Learners who complete Year One but do not progress to Year Two are awarded the Certificate in Sex Therapy (Edu Track).

Year Two: Clinical Training and Supervision (C-PST Track)

Learners who are approved to progress enter the second year of training, which focuses on clinical application, supervision, and professional integration. During this phase, learners engage in supervised clinical work, case consultation, and ongoing professional development within a structured framework.

Upon successful completion of Year Two, learners are awarded the Certificate in Sex Therapy (C-PST Track).

Graduates who complete both years of the program are eligible to apply for certification with the IAPST as a Certified Psychosexual Therapist (C-PST).

This unified certification pathway ensures that all Certified Members of the IAPST have met a consistent, rigorous standard of education, clinical training, and professional readiness, reflecting the organization’s commitment to excellence in psychosexual therapy worldwide.

Become certified

Psychosexual therapy is evolving, and so are the standards required to practice it well.

The next cohort of the Certificate in Sex Therapy program begins August 4, 2026, with live classes held Tuesdays from 12pm–3pm EST.

Becoming a Certified Psychosexual Therapist through the International Association of Psychosexual Therapists (IAPST) is not simply a credential. It reflects a commitment to rigorous training, clinical competence, and ethical responsibility within a field that demands both precision and sensitivity.

Certification is achieved through the Certificate in Sex Therapy program at the School of Sex Therapy, the official training pathway for IAPST certification.

Admission requirements

Admission to the certification pathway is designed to ensure that all participants are prepared to engage in advanced clinical training. Applicants must:

• Hold at least a bachelor’s degree in psychology, counseling, social work, or a related field
• Have completed post-bachelor training that qualifies them for clinical practice within their jurisdiction
• Be eligible to engage in clinical work in accordance with the legal and professional standards of their region
• Demonstrate a clear interest in psychosexual therapy and a commitment to ethical, evidence-based care
• Submit a completed application, including relevant academic and professional documentation

In many regions, qualification for clinical practice is achieved through a master’s degree leading to licensure. However, pathways vary internationally, and applicants must meet the recognized standard for clinical practice in their respective country or region.

Applicants may be required to participate in an admissions interview as part of the review process.

Join the next cohort

The upcoming cohort offers a structured, cohort-based training experience designed for clinicians who are ready to move beyond general knowledge and into focused, high-level work in psychosexual therapy.

You will be learning alongside an international group of professionals, engaging in meaningful clinical dialogue, and developing skills that translate directly into practice.

Due to the supervised and interactive nature of the program, space is limited.