Professional Education and Training in Clinical Sexology in Europe

Abstract

Objectives The aim of this study was to describe characteristics of professional education programs in clinical sexology, including organizers, academic affiliations, target groups, program levels, admission criteria, and jurisdictional recognition of sexology as a profession in Europe. This data will also improve our understanding of how sexology is used as a tool in education of counselors and therapists, and how sexology can be used to enhance sexual health.Methods In 2023, the WAS committee for Professional Education and Training in Clinical Sexology (WAS PES) conducted an international survey of educational programs. An inductive approach was used to generate data about educational programs worldwide. A structured questionnaire was designed in collaboration with the University of Agder and distributed digitally to WAS organizational and individual members. Initial recruitment occurred via the WAS newsletter, with subsequent participant recruitment leveraging snowball sampling to include programs that had not responded to initial recruitment efforts.Results The survey yielded 77 responses from 18 European countries. After excluding duplicates, non-clinical entries, and irrelevant submissions, 48 programs underwent further analysis. These included 10 full master’s degrees, 14 university-affiliated master’s-level courses, two sexological counseling certifications, 14 continuing education programs in psycho-sexual therapy, and eight short-term training courses.Conclusion The proliferation of clinical sexology training programs underscores the need for curricula that align with both national standards and practitioner competencies. While the European region offers diverse educational pathways, there is a critical need to standardize accreditation frameworks and clinical guidelines at the European level. The World Association for Sexual Health (WAS), in partnership with the European Federation for Sexology (EFS), European Society for Sexual Medicine (ESSM), and national societies, is positioned to lead this standardization effort in line with the Porto Proclamation of 2025.