64B4-7.004. Use of the Title "Sex Therapist."

(1) Intent. Whereas the provision of clinical, counseling, and psychotherapy services may include sex therapy, it is the intent of the Board to assure that those clinical social workers, marriage and family therapists, and mental health counselors who hold themselves out to the public as sex therapists have completed a minimum level of training in the specific area of sex therapy and the general provision of clinical, counseling and psychotherapy services.

(2) Use of the Title Sex Therapist. Any licensed clinical social worker, marriage and family therapist, or mental health counselor who holds himself out as a sex therapist shall have completed:

(a) A minimum of 120 hours of approved education which meets the continuing education requirements of Rule Chapter 64B4-6, F.A.C., from twelve (12) of the following areas with a minimum of 10 hours in each area taken:

1. Sexual and reproductive anatomy and physiology,

2. Developmental sexuality,

3. Gender-identity issues,

4. Socio-cultural factors in sexual values and behavior,

5. Medical factors related to sexuality and sexual functioning,

6. Interaction between sexuality and dynamics of interpersonal and family relationships,

7. Sexual offender treatment,

8. Diagnosis of sexual dysfunctions, disorders, and deviancy,

9. Treatment of sexual dysfunctions, disorders, and deviancy,

10. Legal, ethical, and forensic issues in sex therapy,

11. Sexually transmitted diseases,

12. Risk assessment with sex offenders,

13. Psychopharmacological therapy with sexual dysfunctions, disorders and deviancy,

14. Research on sexual dysfunctions, disorders and deviancy,

15. Sexual abuse treatment,

16. Victimology/victim therapy,

17. Group therapy in treatment of sexual dysfunctions, disorders, and deviancy; and

(b) As of January 1, 1997, in addition to the minimum hours in paragraph (2)(a) of this rule, the following shall apply:

1. A minimum of 40 client contact hours in the clinical practice of sex therapy during a minimum period of time of six months;

2. A minimum of 20 hours of supervision, where each supervisory session is no more than one and one-half hours in length, by a qualified supervisor as set forth in Rule 64B4-7.004, F.A.C., during a minimum period of time of six months.

3. For the purpose of this section, supervision is face-to-face contact between an intern or trainee and a supervisor during which the applicant apprises the supervisor of the diagnosis and treatment of each sex therapy client, client cases are discussed, the supervisor provides the applicant with oversight and guidance in diagnosing, treating and dealing with sex therapy clients, and the supervisor evaluates the applicant’s performance. Supervision must:

a. Focus on the raw data from the clinical sex therapy work, which is made directly available to the supervisor through such means as written clinical materials, direct observation and video and audio recordings:

b. Be a process which is distinguishable from personal psychotherapy, consulting or didactic instruction; and

c. During the supervisory period, 50% of the required supervision may be group supervision. If group supervision is obtained, it must be combined with individual supervision. For the purpose of this section, individual supervision is defined as one supervisor supervising no more than two (2) supervisees and group supervision is defined as one supervisor supervising more than (2) but a maximum of six (6) supervisees in the group.

(3) Any licensed clinical social worker, marriage and family therapist or mental health counselor who was previously qualified to hold himself out as a sex therapist based on the education requirements existing between February 25, 1990 and December 31, 1996 may continue to use the title of sex therapist.

Specific Authority 491.004(5), 491.0143 FS. Law Implemented 491.0143 FS. History–New 1-4-90, Formerly 21CC-7.004, 61F4-7.004, Amended 1-7-96, 11-13-96, Formerly 59P-7.004.