Clinical PsyD Trainees’ Comfort Discussing Sexual Issues with Clients

Abstract

Researchers and theorists have noted that sexuality is an innate element humans possess across the lifespan; however, it remains an uncomfortable area of discussion even among many psychologistsin-training. In this cross-sectional study, 138 Clinical PsyD trainees completed a questionnaire exploring their comfort discussing sexuality with clients. Trainees reported lower comfort appraisals when asked about discussing specific sexual concerns than when asked globally about discussing sexual issues with clients. Additionally, whereas male and female trainees reported similar comfort discussing sexual issues with female clients, female trainees reported significantly less comfort discussing sexual issues with male clients than did male trainees. Participants' prior sexuality training and sexual attitudes correlated positively with their comfort appraisals, whereas general training or clinical experience did not, highlighting the need to incorporate specific sexuality training into doctoral curricula.

The Importance of Training Marital, Couple, and Family Therapists in Sexual Health

“…All of these international organizations have highlighted the pivotal role health professionals have in safeguarding sexual rights and the belief that health professionals should be at the forefront of the ‘sexual revolution.’ International organisations have called for mental health professionals, in particular, to possess specialised knowledge and skills for working with sexual issues and to demonstrate an attitude toward sexual health that is affirming of sexual diversity and sexual pleasure (PAHO/WHO, ; WHO, , ). Despite the call for specialised knowledge, the training standards for MFT/Cs do not emphasise the importance of sexuality and sexual health (see the CACREP and COAMFTE standards) and literature suggests that clinicians are not adequately prepared to discuss sexual issues (Haboubi & Lincoln, ; Hanzlik & Gaubatz, ; Harris & Hays, ; Miller & Buyers, ). Nevertheless, it is an ethical imperative, from a human rights perspective, for MFT/Cs to be trained in sexual health and serve the sexual health needs of clients to the best of their ability.…”

“…The intersection of human diversity with sexual diversity means that each person is complex and unique, and requires clinicians to be able to discuss sexuality in a respectful, affirming, and open‐minded way (Williams, Prior, & Wegner, ). One might assume that the general training MFT/Cs receive during their coursework should prepare them to discuss sexuality and promote sexual health, but research suggests this is not the case (Haboubi & Lincon, ; Hanzlik & Gaubatz, ; Harris & Hays, ; Miller & Buyers, ). Although there is little research on clinicians’ comfort and training related to sexuality, the existing literature highlights clinicians are sometimes perceived as uncomfortable discussing sexuality (Croft & Amussen, ), report being uncomfortable discussing sexuality (Hymer & Rubin, ; Knapp, ; Stockwell, Walker & Eshleman, ), and want more training on sexuality (Miller & Byers, , ; Schover, ).…”

Let’s Talk About Sex: Integrating Sex Positivity in Counseling Psychology Practice

“…For example, a male therapist with a female client is a microcosm of a major power dynamic in the world. Research suggests that female therapists are less comfortable than male therapists discussing sexual issues with male clients (Hanzlik & Gaubatz, 2012). Each therapeutic dyad is different; thus, special attention is warranted when contemplating and reflecting on the treatment process in the service of creating a therapeutic environment that affirms clients as whole, multicultural beings.…”

“…It is imperative to increase one's comfort and practice talking about sex, as that will increase use of sexual language in therapy. This aspect of practice is directly related to personal comfort with talking about sex in one's life (Hanzlik & Gaubatz, 2012). Next, we present some questions psychologists can use to reflect about their comfort with sexual language:…”

Too Taboo?: Preliminary Explorations of Counselor Experiences of Client Sexuality

“…In particular, the research suggests that a number of personal and professional factors influence how a counselor experiences the subject of client sexuality (Miller & Byers, 2011;Reissing & Giulio, 2010). After a thorough review of the literature, it is evident that a majority of research on the topic has utilized quantitative design (Hanzlik & Gaubatz, 2012;Harris & Hays, 2008;Miller & Byers, 2011;Russell, 2012;Wiederman & Sansone, 1999) that limits participant response and exploration of the myriad influencing aspects of a counselor's experience of client sexuality (Bochner & Riggs, 2014a). Furthermore, similar studies focus on the experiences of health care professionals outside of the profession of counseling (Abdolrasulnia et al, 2010;Hanzlik & Gaubatz, 2012).…”