Certificate in Psychosexual Studies

This certificate course will increase your confidence and skills when helping clients and patients with common sexual issues. Suitable for qualified counsellors, psychotherapists, and health professionals who will have the opportunity to apply their learning in their day-to-day work.

Sex is a critically important part of life for most people, yet it is the subject clients are least likely to bring up with their therapist or health professional. This course will empower participants to discuss sexual issues more openly and offer guidance on how to approach these conversations without appearing intrusive, carefully considering the setting and the cultural context. The course covers crucial issues that can affect the sexual space, including the dynamics of couple relationships, the stages of psychosexual development, and the complexities of intimacy, desire, and arousal. Participants will also explore the causes of sexual dysfunction and the impact experiences such as sexual trauma, fertility, ageing, menopause, illness, and disability can have on sexual functioning. Working within the diversities of sex, sexuality, and gender identities will also be explored to help therapists feel better informed when discussing these clients.

Across the 8-month course, lectures will provide foundational knowledge, while case study examples and role-play practice offer practical experience in handling complex situations. Group discussions encourage the sharing of insights and strategies among peers, and participants can bring their own cases for discussion. Additionally, the course includes three individual tutorials with an experienced psychosexual practitioner, offering personalised guidance and support. These tutorials are designed to help participants refine their skills and apply their learning effectively in their professional practice.

There is an optional 3,000-word essay. Successful completion of this results in a Certificate in Psychosexual Studies being awarded. Those students not wishing to complete the essay will be able to gain a certificate of attendance instead, subject to 80% attendance.

Week 1 - Introduction and Overview of Psychosexual Therapy and Psychosexual Development

3 October 2026

Introduction to Psychosexual Therapy

This session will provide an overview of the field of sexology and psychosexual therapy. We will start to explore which aspects of sex can helpfully be addressed in general therapy, and when a referral to specialist psychosexual services is indicated. Participants will be introduced to key experts and resources.

Overview of psychosexual development

Human sexual development, basic sexual anatomy, psychological and social/cultural factors influencing sexual functioning and wellbeing are explained. Participants will gain an awareness of the kinds of questions they may need to ask to better understand the reasons behind sexual difficulties.

Application seminar – participants bring own cases to discuss.

Week 2 - Sex and the couple relationship

7 November 2026

Whilst paying due attention to sex that takes place outside of the context of couple relationships throughout the course, this session provides an understanding of the mutual impact sex and relationships have on each other. Drawing on over 70 years of research, clinical practice and teaching about couples, Tavistock Relationships is uniquely placed to help participants think about partnerships when working with sexual issues.

Application seminar – participants bring own cases to discuss

Week 3 - Talking About Sex and Desire

5 December 2026

Talking about Sex

Difficulties both clients and professionals may have about introducing sexual issues are explained. Participants will be guided to examine their own attitudes towards sex, and (privately) identify issues that may stop them from helping their clients with these issues. The setting (e.g., psychotherapy, GP, or cancer nurse) will be considered, alongside cultural sensitivity towards the client. Use of language and other practical considerations are discussed.

Thinking about Desire

The most common sexual dysfunction for women, and a common problem for men, is lack of desire. Sexual desire difficulties strongly impact, and are impacted by, relationship satisfaction. Desire is poorly understood and surrounded by persistent myths and idealisation. This session will cover theoretical models which participants can use to explain desire to their clients, together with some excellent resources to point them towards.

Application seminar – participants bring own cases to discuss

Week 4 - Understanding Common Sexual Dysfunctions & Intro to BDSM and Kink

9 January 2027

Understanding Common Sexual Dysfunctions

The sexual problems the therapist or health professional are most likely to encounter are covered here, including erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, pain on penetration, and orgasm difficulties. Helpful tools and resources are provided for the therapist to use and recommend to clients.

An introduction to BDSM and Kink

In this guest lecture, Heidi Renton will provide an overview of key terms and concepts in the field of BDSM and Kink, enabling participants to feel more confident discussing these practices with their clients.

Application seminar – participants bring own cases to discuss

Week 5 - GSRD & Working with Compulsivity and Pornography

6 February 2027

Gender, Sex and Relationship Diversity (GSRD)

Benedict Hoff explains different gender orientations including transgender, genderqueer, and non-binary identities, together with best practice around pronouns. Sexual diversity is discussed both in terms of sexual orientation (the extent to which we experienced attraction, and who to), as well as how and where sex is engaged with. Relationship diversity, including various types of non-monogamy, is also covered. Intersectionality between gender and sexual diversity and other minority identities such as race is explained.

Working with Compulsivity and Pornography

Benedict will describe a sex-positive approach to working with people who present with difficulties relating to sexual compulsivity, including the use of porn. Seeking to minimise the role of shame in the subjective experience of these difficulties, Benedict provides a helpful framework for thinking with clients about how they can best achieve the balance they are looking for in their relationship with sex. Consideration is also given to partners and couple relationships.

Application seminar – participants bring own cases to discuss

Week 6 - Sexual Trauma & Fertility and the Sexual Relationship

6 March 2027

Sexual abuse and trauma

In this seminar, the particular impact of child sexual abuse and sexual trauma on sexual functioning is explored. The need to practise a trauma-informed approach when working with such issues is emphasised, along with the importance of not making assumptions about the specific impact in each case, as this can vary widely. Practical tools and helpful resources are provided.

Fertility Issues and the sexual relationship

Sex and procreation are inextricably linked in the human psyche, and in this seminar we will consider the specific impact of the fertility journey on sexual functioning. Consideration is given to ‘Baby-making sex’, pregnancy, childbirth, as well as child loss and involuntary childlessness, and helpful tools and resources provided to help participants support their clients with these issues.

Application seminar – participants bring own cases to discuss

Week 7 - Ageing & Affairs

10 April 2027

Sex and Ageing

Sexual needs, functioning, and satisfaction vary hugely across the lifespan, and are highly susceptible to the effect of both positive and adverse life events, as well as ageing and related issues such as menopause, illness, and disability. The vital importance of giving the client permission to talk about this is emphasised, as clients often worry their sexual concerns will be seen as trivial relative to the life events being discussed. Commonly held myths and prejudices around age and sex will be challenged.

Sex and Affairs

In this seminar, Sylvie Deroche provides an overview of the fascinating two-way relationship between sex and affairs. Along with some surprising research findings about the prevalence and reasons for affairs, Sylvie will provide useful pointers and resources for therapist working with any individual or couple affected by affairs.

Application seminar – participants bring own cases to discuss

Week 8 - Title

8 May 2027

Integration and application of the learning over the eight months of the course.

Essay information and support for those pursuing this option.

Consideration of next steps for participants.

• Couple and Individual Psychotherapists
• Psychoanalysts
• Psychologists
• Clinical Psychologists
• Psychiatrists
• Counsellors
• Healthcare Professionals

• Develop an awareness of current developments in psychosexual therapy and sexology, and find out which key writers and resources are particularly helpful to therapists and their clients
• Appreciate the various biopsychosocial factors which influence sexual functioning and how to help clients to understand these
• Understand the mutual impact sex and relationships can have on each other, and how to think about the couple dynamic when working with a sexual issue
• Gain confidence in asking about and responding to clients’ sexual issues and concerns, with due sensitivity to culture, setting, and limits of competence
• Understand how sexual desire works, and learn how to explore and help to discuss difficulties relating to desire, and discrepancy in desire between partners
• Gain a basic understanding of the most common sexual dysfunctions and how to talk about these, and learn useful resources to point the client towards, as well as when to refer out
• Become familiar with the basic principles and terminology of BDSM and Kink in order to become more confident and comfortable discussing these aspects of sexuality with clients
• Increase understanding of, and importance of, Gender, Sexual and Relationship Diversity, terminology, minority stress, and intersectionality
• Understand how sexual compulsively and use of pornography can be thought about in a sex-positive way in order to reduce the impact of shame
• Appreciate how child sexual abuse and sexual trauma can impact sexual functioning, and learning how best to help clients with this, as well as specialist services for referral when required
• Understand the impact of all aspects of the fertility journey on sexual functioning and relationships
• Consider how ageing and related issues may impact sexual functioning, learning the importance of actively giving permission for clients to talk about this
• Understand why affairs happen and the impact on the sexual relationship, as well as how recovering from the impact of affairs can be thought about
• Learn how to apply the knowledge, tools, and resources in practice to the benefit of clients

Course leader

Albertina Fisher (Psychodynamic and Psychosexual Couples Therapist, COSRT, MBACP)

See Course Leader panel.

Speakers

Sylvie Deroche

Sylvie Deroche is an ESSM & EFS certified psycho-sexologist and a psychodynamic relationship psychotherapist. She trained at Tavistock Relationships in London (Diploma in Psychosexual Therapy & MA) and in France (Licence de Psychologie from the Paris 8 University). She is accredited by the College of Sexual and Relationship Therapists (COSRT) and a member of the UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) and the British Psychological Society (BPS). Sylvie has a special interest in the meaning of affairs and their impact on the couple relationship.

Heidi Renton

After a successful career in business and the media, Heidi qualified as a Psychosexual & Psychodynamic Couple Psychotherapist at Tavistock Relationships, and is now a Senior Lecturer on the MA programme. She is accredited by the College of Sexual and Relationship Therapists (COSRT), and has a thriving private practice as a couple and sex therapist. Heidi has a special interest in working with individuals and couples interested in safe and consensual sexual kink practices.

Benedict Hoff

Benedict is a former clinical lead in mental health and a highly specialised psychosexual and relationship therapist. His therapeutic work focuses on compulsive sexual behaviours, chemsex, gay men’s psychosexual health, sexual offending and couples/intimate partner therapy, in particular, for open and polyamorous relationships. He is also a Doctor of Philosophy and a researcher and writer who is passionate about integrating queer theory into the teaching and practice of GSRD therapy.

You will receive a certificate of attendance at the completion of this course.