The Comprehensive Sexology Program

Fulfill all AASECT Educational Requirements
Enroll Now, Start Learning Today!

With our Comprehensive Sexology Program, you can fulfill the 150 hours of educational requirements for certification by the American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT) as a Sex Therapist or Sex Counselor!  And you can get started right away, as 105 hours of coursework will be loaded to your account as soon as you enroll. You can log in whenever you'd like and complete these modules at your own pace.

Course material is varied and includes lectures, documentaries, website visits, and journal articles. The material is introductory, but at a post-doctoral level to satisfy APA requirements. Courses are broken into sections, so you can choose to complete the entire course in one sitting--or just do as much as you have time for that day.

The other 45 hours will take place during two inspiring online weekend workshops. Each weekend is offered 2-3 times a year and they are interchangeable so you can select the dates that best suit your schedule. You can take a weekend training right away, or wait until you've completed some or all of the online learning.

Once you have completed the Comprehensive Sexology Program, you will receive a transcript and an AASECT application pre-filled with all of your courses.

This program was designed by Stephanie Buehler, MPW, PsyD, CST-S, IF author of the bestselling textbook, What Every Mental Health Professional Needs to Know about Sex, 3rd ed (2021), among others.  A psychologist and AASECT Certified Sex Therapist and Supervisor, her current work is all devoted to helping therapists and healthcare providers help their clients with all types of sexual issues.  

For the other AASECT certification requirements, we are available every step of the way. Dr. Buehler offers mentoring to help connect you with a supervisor with shared treatment styles and interests. And while you are welcome to take your Sexual Attitude Reassessment (SAR) with any provider, we do hold a handful throughout the year. 

Our self-paced program is inclusive, affirming, and enjoyable.  Curious about AASECT? Confused about the certification requirements? Check out our FREE All About AASECT Webinar.
IMPORTANT: AASECT only certifies people from the US, Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico & Israel. If you live and work in another location, you are welcome to take this program but you may also consider our Foundations of Sexology Certificate Program.

Your Online Learning Experience Will Include:

  • Becoming a Sex Therapist
  • History of Sexology
  • Female Sexual Anatomy
  • Male Sexual Anatomy
  • Sexual Development
  • Definitions of Sexual Health
  • The Sexological Ecosystem
  • Women’s Sexual Problems
  • Men’s Sexual Problems
  • Couples Problems in Sex Therapy
  • Sexuality, Culture, and Religion
  • Ethics in Sex Therapy: Surrogacy
  • LGBTQ Identity
  • LGBTQ Sexuality
  • Gay Affirmative Sex Therapy
  • Ethical work with the LGBTQ Population
  • Understanding HIV/AIDS
  • Pelvic Floor Dysfunction in Females and Males
  • Sex after Cancer
  • Medical Family Therapy Approaches to Sexual Problems
  • Sexual Recovery after Sexual Abuse and Assault
  • Treatment Factors in Out of Control Sexual Behavior
  • Sexual Diversity: Kink and Non-monogamy
  • Sexual dysfunction and the DSM-5
  • Treatment approaches to DSM-5 sexual disorders
  • Medical Family Therapy and sexual disorders
  • Integrated Systems Theory and sexual disorders (requires reading text)
  • Sexological Research Methods
The content in the 105 hours of online coursework includes lectures, articles, documentaries, and more.
Dr. Buehler worked for a decade as an editor and writer for an educational publishing company
and designed the online course material for maximum interest!

Weekend Workshop Schedule

Most of our weekend workshops take place on Zoom but in 2023 we added a live, in-person weekend in October.  Don't worry--we will definitely keep offering online Zoom weekends in 2024, as this option has allowed people from all over to get sex therapy training.
Weekends take place Friday, Saturday, and most of the day on Sunday.  If you have a religious tradition that needs accommodation, let us know.
Enrollment is limited to no more than 20 people per weekend. It’s a great opportunity to learn intensely, be exposed to new ideas, and to network with fellow travelers on the path. The comment most often made on evaluations is, “I learned so much!”
Upcoming Weekend Workshop Dates are below.
Weekend A:
Theory and Practice of Sex Therapy and Physical Illness, Mental Illness, and Disabilities
(2024 Dates Announced Fall 2023)

September 22-24, 2023 (VIRTUAL via Zoom)
OR
November 10-12, 2023 (VIRTUAL via Zoom)
Weekend B:
Theory and Practice of Sex Therapy with Sexual and Gender Minorities
(2024 Dates Announced Fall 2023)

June 23-25, 2023 (VIRTUAL via Zoom)
OR
October 6-8, 2023 (IN PERSON*)
*In person workshops will take place in Costa Mesa, CA, at the Marriott Residence Inn. The hotel is easily accessible from the Santa Ana Airport (John Wayne Airport) and minutes from the beach, Disneyland, and premier shopping destinations including South Coast Plaza and The Lab. Fall is a beautiful time of year to visit Southern California!  
Whether you decide to take advantage of the in-person workshops, or prefer to stay virtual, we will walk you through the enrollment weekend workshop process once you have registered for the program.

Benefits of our Comprehensive Program 

Practical Approach

Our program is designed to provide you with knowledge you can put to use right away--as well as a deeper understanding so that you can help clients with their most sensitive issues.

Affirmative and Current

We have over ten hours of online content and fifteen hours of live training on helping sexual and gender minorities.  We are inclusive of BIPOC in all of our materials and conscious of social justice issues that our clients face. 

Boost Your Career

AASECT certification can be a boost to your career.  People know, and respect, therapists and healthcare providers who undertake the process of developing true competence in sexology.

get Started Today!

     Program Fee: $5495
    Includes 150 hours of instruction
   Meets education requirements for AASECT certification as a sex therapist or sex counselor.
    To make the program more affordable, we offer a 12-month or 24 month payment plan. Just choose the payment plan that works best for you.
AASECT DISCLAIMER:
We are required to make clear the following information:
*The Comprehensive Sexology Program meets the requirements for the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT) and is approved for 150 CE credits. These CE credits may be applied toward AASECT Certification and renewal of certification. The Buehler Institute Psychological Services, Inc., Provider #12-138-Q. Completion of this program does not ensure or guarantee AASECT Certification. For further information please contact [email protected]

Help Desk

Most questions can be answered on our FAQ page.
AASECT CERTIFICATION DETAILS
*Fulfilling the educational requirements for AASECT certification does not guarantee certification. There are additional requirements for AASECT certification. Basically, they are:

  1. You must be licensed to practice. Graduate students are welcome, but you cannot turn in your application for certification until you have your license.

  2. You will need to attend a workshop called the Sexual Attitude Reassessment (SAR). This is an experiential workshop that you must take in person. It is separate from this program so that you can take it wherever and whenever it is convenient to you.

  3. For sex therapist certification, you will need to perform 300 clinical hours of sex therapy under 50 hours of supervision under an AASECT supervisor. For sexuality counselors, you will need to perform 100 clinical hours of counseling under 30 hours of supervision under an AASECT supervisor. This is also separate from this program so that you can choose whomever you wish for supervision; many AASECT supervisors offer remote supervision by Skype, phone, etc. This gives you a broader perspective and may allow you to focus on a particular area, e.g., sexual pain, oncology, kinky sex, transgender clients, etc.

Psychologists

TBI is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. TBI maintains responsibility for this program and its contents.

Counselors

The Buehler Institute has been approved by the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC) as an Approved Continuing Education Provider. The Buehler Institute is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

AASECT Members

TBI is approved by the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists to provide continuing education units toward certification as a Sex Therapist or Counselor, Provider #12-13-Q.

Nurses

TBI is an approved provider of continuing education by the Board of Registered Nursing, provider number CEP 16394.

**We love our social worker colleagues! While we are not an approved NASW or ASWB CE provider, many state licensing boards will accept CEs from APA approved providers. Please check with your state licensing board for the most accurate information.

Ready to get started?

Your self-paced coursework will be automatically added to your account upon enrollment.

Meet Your Head Instructor and Guide:
Dr. Stephanie Buehler

Stephanie Buehler, MPW, PsyD, CST-S, IF is a licensed psychologist, AASECT-Certified Sex Therapist and Supervisor, and Fellow of the International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health. Dr. Buehler specializes in women’s sexual health; sexuality, chronic illness, and cancer; sexual pain disorders; and sexuality and mental health. She has worked with patients in many medical settings including oncology in a pediatric hospital; an integrated wellness center; a pelvic floor PT clinic; and a clinic for women at high risk for breast and ovarian cancer.  
Dr. Buehler is the author of several books, including a bestselling textbook, What Every Mental Health Professional Needs to Know about Sex and Counseling Couples Before, During, and After Pregnancy: Sexuality and Intimacy Issues. Dr. Buehler also created The Buehler Institute and LearnSexTherapy.com to provide continuing education in sex therapy for psychotherapists and sexuality counseling for healthcare providers. Dr. Buehler has spoken to lay and professional audiences all over the US and around the globe and is frequently quoted in the media, most recently in The Atlantic, Men’s Health, Business Insider, and healthcentral.com. 

Most of all, Dr. Buehler's focus is on you and your career growth. Rather than following the methods of a "guru", she will help you develop yourself professionally. You'll learn how to deliver the best possible sex therapy or counseling services and find the success that you seek.
Dr. Stephanie Buehler is a licensed psychologist in the state of California and has been in practice for 20 years as a sex and relationship therapist. In addition to the book mentioned above, she is also the author of Counseling Couples Before, During, and After Pregnancy: Sexuality and Intimacy with another book in the works.
Dr. Buehler is an in-demand speaker around the US and has been quoted and has many articles published in major media and academic journals. She loves public speaking and was a master teacher for LAUSD and Teach for America.
Most of all, her focus is on YOU. Rather than following the methods of a therapist guru, she will help you develop yourself professionally. You'll learn how to deliver the best possible sex therapy services and find the success that you seek.

Refund Policy

You have 15 days from the start of your program (the day you enroll) to withdraw. After 15 days, you must withdraw in writing. You will receive a refund less $35 / credit for any coursework completed, less $75 processing fee. If you need to withdraw for medical reasons after 15 days, please supply a letter from your physician stating that you are unable to participate.
You have 15 days from the start of your program (the day you enroll) to withdraw. After 15 days, you must withdraw in writing. You will receive a refund less $35 / credit for any coursework completed, less $75 processing fee. If you need to withdraw for medical reasons after 15 days, please supply a letter from your physician stating that you are unable to participate.
Required Books
Three books are required for this program, both of which can be purchased through Amazon or other online textbook seller. PS Conflict of interest statement: I make a small profit (about $10) on the sale of each of my textbooks, but I am not an amazon reseller.
Three books are required for this program, all of which can be purchased through Amazon or other online textbook seller.
Conflict of interest statement: I make a small profit (about $10) on the sale of each of my textbooks, but I am not an amazon reseller. We proudly donate the proceeds of textbook sales to organizations that promote reproductive justice and human rights initiatives.
What Every Mental Health Professional Needs to Know about Sex, (Second or Third Edition)
Click Here to View on Amazon
Click to go to amazon and purchase
Systemic Sex Therapy
(Second or Third Edition)

Click Here to View on Amazon
Click to go to amazon and purchase

DSM - 5

Click Here to View on Amazon
Click to go to amazon and purchase
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Contact Us

Our primary address is virtual!

For the fastest response, please reach out by using the contact form to the right or contact us via email at [email protected]

Address
31677 Virginia Way, #9327
Laguna Beach, CA 92651 
Phone
800-769-0342 
E-mail
[email protected] 
Hours of operation
Monday - Friday 9:00 - 6:00 PST

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