The different types of sexual health specialists (and when to see them)

Something about sex isn’t working, or you’d like it to be different/better, and you’d like to see a sexual health specialist, but it isn’t obvious who. A doctor, a therapist, an educator and a coach all work in this field, and they do different jobs.

That confusion is common, and there is probably no one perfect answer because every person’s needs are unique to them. Most concerns have a clear first port of call, and once you know what the titles mean, checking someone’s training takes a few minutes.

This guide is general information, not medical advice. If something has changed suddenly, you have pain or bleeding, or you’re worried about your health, start with your doctor.

Who should you see for what?

Start with what you are thinking about, not the job title. The table below gives the usual first stop for the most common reasons people look for help.

Often the answer is more than one person. Many problems have a physical and an emotional side, and the best care brings the two together. A doctor can rule out a medical cause while a therapist works on what’s happening between you and your partner, or inside your own head.

What do the titles mean?

Sex therapist or psychotherapist. Usually a licensed mental health professional with extra training in sexuality. In the UK this is often called psychosexual therapy. If you’re wondering what a session looks like, we’ve written about what sex therapy involves and how it helps couples.

Doctor or medical sexologist. A physician, such as a gynaecologist, urologist or psychiatrist, who can diagnose and prescribe.

Sex educator, coach or somatic practitioner. They teach and support, and they don’t treat medical or psychological conditions. They aren’t regulated in the same way in most countries, so their training matters even more.

Sexologist. The rules differ from country to country. In some places the title needs a medical or psychology degree plus specialist training. In others, anyone can use it, so the word on its own tells you very little.

How do you check a sexual health specialist’s qualifications?

You don’t need to be an expert to do this. Four questions cover most of it.

What should you ask them?

Ask what the credential is called, who issues it, and what their registration number is. A real professional will answer easily and won’t mind being asked. If the answer is vague, or the credential has no issuing body you can name, that’s worth noticing.

Where do you look them up?

On the issuer’s public register. Most credentials can be checked this way in a minute or two. If they’re a doctor, psychologist or therapist, also check their licence with the regulator: your country’s medical council, or your state or professional board.

Does the level of training matter?

Yes. A weekend course is not the same as a four-year postgraduate programme, even if both come with a certificate. Ask how long the training took and whether it included supervised practice.

What are the warning signs?

Vague titles, no name on any register, and promises of a cure. Trust your instincts. A good practitioner is happy to say what they can and can’t help with, and will refer you on when something is outside their training.

Which registers can you search?

• AASECT, the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists, certifies sex educators, counsellors and therapists in the US and has a public directory of certified professionals.
• In the UK, COSRT lists accredited sex and relationship therapists on the COSRT register.
• In Europe, start with the national society for sexology or sexual medicine in the country where the person practises, and the bodies that bring them together: the European Federation of Sexology and the European Society for Sexual Medicine.
• For other regions, the World Association for Sexual Health is a good starting point.

How we check on Sensuali

We do our best to make sure the practitioners we call trusted have the training they tell us about. We check qualifications against public registers and with the training body where we can, and show a badge on the profile that says who awarded it. Please also do your own checks: you know your own situation best.

Final thoughts

Looking for help with sex is already a brave step, and it shouldn’t come with a quiz about job titles. If you take one thing from this guide, let it be this: start with the concern, and let that point you to the right kind of person.

Checking someone’s training isn’t rude, and it isn’t a sign of distrust. Good practitioners expect it. The ones who have done the work are usually glad you asked.

And if the first person isn’t the right fit, that’s information, not failure. Plenty of people see a doctor and a therapist, or try a coach after therapy, and find the combination is what helps.

With thanks to Professor Paolo Valerio, honorary professor of clinical psychology at the University of Naples Federico II and president of ONIG, for explaining how sexology training and certification work in Italy.

Related reading

• Sex therapy: what it is and how it helps couples
• The 6 sexual health principles that help you explore safely and sensually
• 4 things you can do this week to look after your sexual health

Featured image by Cottonbro Studio.