Human Sexuality Instruction: Implications for Couple and Family Counselor Educators

Abstract

This article reports the results of a sexual curricula questionnaire sent to all U.S. counselor education programs. Some concerns are raised and suggestions are made about ways to include sexuality education in couple and family curicula.

Sexual Health Attitudes, Knowledge, and Clinical Behaviors

“…Because historically sexual health has been overlooked in the research agendas of many counselor education and mental health preparatory programs (Edwards & Coleman, 2004; Gray et al, 1995; Sansone & Wiederman, 2000), how and if practitioners address these issues is suspect at best. While researchers and academics agree that sexual health is an important topic in the counseling profession (Gray et al, 1995; Sansone & Wiederman, 2000), it remains unclear as what barriers practitioners perceive to addressing sexual health-related topics in clinical settings, whether or not they are competent in addressing these topics with clients, their knowledge about sexual health, and if they actually address these issues in clinical settings. Thus, understanding what prevents practitioners from actually addressing sexual health issues in an open, honest manner is paramount to increasing appropriate educational opportunities and decreasing their perceived barriers.…”

“…Researchers and academics agree that sexual health is an important topic in the counseling profession (Gray, House, & Eicken, 1995; Sansone & Wiederman, 2000); and yet it remains unclear as to the importance placed upon sexual health in counseling sessions by practitioners. Are counselors knowledgable about sexual issues, what are their attitudes toward addressing these topics, and what education do they have that prepares one to address these topics in practice?…”

“…Are counselors knowledgable about sexual issues, what are their attitudes toward addressing these topics, and what education do they have that prepares one to address these topics in practice? It has been suggested that sexual health is often considered an ancillary topic in graduate education programs rather than a developmental life course issue (Gray et al, 1995). Training is excluded in formal study because sexual health is deemed a “natural” phenomenon that does not need explanation or teaching (Sansone & Wiederman, 2000).…”

Sexuality Counseling: A Professional Specialization Comes of Age

“…The Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES, 1990) began to collect and share sexuality course syllabi and audiovisual materials. Gray, House, and Eicken (1996) emphasized human sexuality instruction for marriage and family counselor educators. Humphrey (2000) advocated the study of sexuality counseling in counselor preparation programs.…”