The importance of training marital, couple, and family therapists in sexual health

Abstract

Sexual health has been declared a sexual right and part of human rights on health and freedom from discrimination. Over 40 years ago the World Health Organization, and other international organisations since, have called for marital, couple, and family therapists to be trained in working with sexuality in a respectful, positive manner that affirms sexual health and sexual expression. Despite this, there have not been significant strides in helping therapists understand a view of sexual health focused on freedom of expression and pleasure, nor significant advances in requirements for professional training in a broad conceptualisation of sexuality. There is also evidence that practitioner comfort with the topic has not significantly changed over time. In this paper, ethical issues impeding the advancement of sexual health services within mental health professions are explored and recommendations for training curriculums are provided.