Become a Certified Sexual and Relational Trauma Therapist (CSRTT)

1. A graduate degree in a field of behavioral health (e.g., psychology, social work, counseling, marriage and family therapy) from an accredited university, a medical degree (including Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine), or an advanced practice nursing degree.

2. At least one year of licensure to practice independently as a mental health provider (e.g, licensed clinical psychologist, licensed psychiatrist, licensed professional counselor, licensed mental health counselor, licensed marriage and family therapist, licensed clinical social work, licensed psychiatric nurse practitioner, or equivalent) at the masters or doctoral level.

3. If the applicant holds a degree from a non-accredited institution, or is practicing outside the United States or the United States territory, they will provide documentation to demonstrate that the education and licensure that they have obtained is functionally equivalent to these standards.

To be eligible for any of the SASH credentials, an individual must have coursework in the core knowledge areas listed below. These hours must be obtained from an accredited college or university, or alternatively from a continuing education organization, such as SASH, that is certified to provide CE credits from any of the approved organizations. At least ten (10) hours must be completed in-person or via synchronous e-learning.

Please note that the Credentialing Committee reserves the right to reject any educational credits, or to request additional education in any subject matter prior to awarding a certification

Human Sexuality Core Knowledge Areas

1. Sexual Development, Anatomy, Physiology, and Reproduction
a. Sexual development across the life-span from a biological, psychological and social perspective
b. Sexual and reproductive anatomy and physiology
c. Sexual response cycle and models of sexual desire
d. Theories explaining individual differences in sexuality
e. Conception and childbirth

2. Sexual Health Challenges
a. The influence of health and medical factors on sexuality (e.g., illness and infection, disability, mental health, medications, contraception and safer sex practices, fertility struggles, pregnancy and childbirth, pregnancy termination, sexually transmitted infection, physical injuries)
b. Sexual functioning challenges and dysfunctions (e.g.. discrepancy in partner desire, absence of desire, difficulties attaining or sustaining arousal, difficulties with sexual pain and penetration, and orgasm difficulties
c. The interaction of substance use/abuse and sexuality
d. Sexually transmitted infections
e. Sexual trauma (e.g., exploitation, abuse, harassment, and assault)
f. Multiple theories of problematic sexual behavior

3. Sexual Identity and Erotic Expression
a. Sexual orientation
b. Gender identity and gender roles
c. Sexuality in specific populations (e.g. sexual minorities, age, ethnicity,
d Diverse sexual expressions and lifestyles (eg. consensual non-monogamy, tantra, BDSM)
e. Social, economic, cultural, religious/spiritual, and familial factors influencing sexual behaviors and values
f. The interaction of technology and sexuality 
g. Pleasure enhancement skills, techniques, and tools

4. Intimacy and Relationships
a. Relationship dynamics and intimacy skills
b. Sexual communication between partners
c. Negotiating differences in sexual desire, interests, preferences, and values between partners
d. Models of effective communication (eg, verbal and non-verbal communication)

5. Professional Development
a. Ethics
b. Professional communication skills (concerning clients, colleagues, and students)
c. History of the research, theory, and treatment concerning human sexuality
d. Methods and principles of sexuality research
e. Careers in sexual health

To be eligible for any of the SASH credentials, an individual must have completed a group experience of no less than ten clock hours in which the individual processes, explores, and reevaluates their own beliefs, feelings, values, attitudes and trauma involving the topic of human sexuality and human sexual behavior. The experience may be done over multiple sessions, but each session must be conducted for a minimum of three (3) clock hours and must be conducted in a group setting.

For the experience to count as credit towards a credential, it must not have been conducted in the course of personal therapy. If the experience was conducted in the course of academic work the participant must show that it was experiential in nature and not a lecture-based learning exercise The individual must be a participant in the experience, and not a facilitator.

1. Complete a minimum of seventy (70) total hours of training in sexual and relational trauma in the past five (5) years. At least thirty-five (35) hours of this training must be completed in person or via synchronous video e-learning. The remaining may be completed either in person, or via distance learning. These hours must be obtained from an accredited college or
university, or alternatively from a continuing education organization that is certified to provide CE credits from any of the approved organizations (See approved educational providers tab #4 below). Please note that the SASH Credentialing Committee reserves the right to reject any educational credits or to request additional education in any subject matter prior to awarding a certification.

This training must meet the following minimum requirements:
a. The psychological, biological, emotional, and social experiences of survivors in the aftermath of trauma and posttraumatic symptoms and etiology.
b. Treatment methods specifically tailored to sexual abuse or assault survivors, with exposure to multiple theoretical perspectives.
c. Treatment methods specifically tailored to sexual relational trauma (e.g., infidelity), with exposure to multiple theoretical perspectives.
d. Treatment methods specifically related to intimate partners and their sexual relationship.
e. Sexual resilience (health, empowerment, safety, and fulfillment) in the aftermath of trauma.
f. Concerning limits of competence, ethics, legal concerns, and standards of care for treatment of sexual and relational trauma.
*Training in only one treatment methodology is not sufficient to fully meet these requirements. Training in EMDR or other general trauma methodologies may count towards these hours.

   2. Complete a minimum of three hundred-fifty (350) hours of direct sexual and relational trauma interventions with individuals or couples.

   3. Complete at least thirty (30) hours of clinical supervision of sexual and relational therapy practice with individual or couples.
   a. Supervision may be conducted by any CSRTT Supervisor
   b. Supervision may be conducted by someone who is a recognized expert in this subject matter, who is not a predesignated CSRTT supervisor, as approved by SASH on a case by case basis. To have such a supervisor approved, the applicant must submit a Supervisor Special Request letter, along with a copy of the supervisor's vita and a statement of the qualifying nature of the supervision.
   c. A minimum of ten (10) hours must be completed in individual (one on one) supervision. Two individuals in supervision can be counted toward individual supervision.
   d. The remaining supervision can occur in groups no larger than six (6) supervisees.

1. At least 30 CEs completed every two (2) years,

   a. All credits must be CE approved by an organization on the SASH credential approved list.
   b. A minimum of five (5) hours in general sexual health.
   c. A minimum of twenty (20) hours in assessment and treatment of sexual and relational trauma. However, if the applicant has multiple SASH specialty credentials, this requirement shall be reduced to fifteen (15) hours.
   d. A minimum of five (5) hours in ethical and legal concerns,

2.Current membership in the Society for the Advancement of Sexual Health (SASH).