How to Become A Sexologist
Sexology is defined as the scientific study of sexuality, and sexologists pursue many different areas of study in the realm of sexuality. A sexologist studies sexual desires, sexual function, and sexual behaviors, but there are a variety of paths that can teach you how to become a sexologist.
What You’ll Study As an Aspiring Sexologist
From a psychological perspective, sexology observes a person’s thoughts and feelings about their own sexual activity or the sexual activity of others.
The sociological perspective focuses on how people interact in their sex lives, their sexual preferences, and how society impacts these behaviors. A sexologist studying sex from a medical point of view tests how certain drugs affect sexual function.
Professional sexologists often tackle topics such as sexual identity – including gay, lesbian, and bisexual identity – in their practices. Clients also frequently seek out sexologists for dysfunction around sex including anorgasmia, pelvic pain, erectile dysfunction, and ejaculation control.
Thus, the pathway to becoming a sexologist is to study the discipline you’re most interested in, and through which you feel you can be most helpful to your clients.
What Does the Sexologist Career Path Encompass?
A sexologist career path consists of:
- Studying sexuality-related topics
- Working as a clinician with people who are dealing with sexual problems
- Teaching about sex and sexuality in an academic setting, such as a school or university
- Supervising other sexologists who are interested in getting practice and certification in the field
- Working with the general population as a sex educator
- Getting paid to speak on the topic of sex at professional conferences in related fields
What is the Difference Between a Sexologist and a Sex Coach?
The work of a sexologist can look very similar to that of a sex coach, as sexology at its core is the scientific study of sex.
In turn, some sex coaches are also clinical sexologists. And somatic sexologists generally help people with their sexual concerns more through talk-based or hands-on methods.
But overall, sex coaches are focused on working directly with clients to enhance their intimate lives and self-esteem around sex, while sexologists may choose to immerse themselves more into the science of sex.
One crossover in their career paths is training – both sexologist and sex coaches can offer sessions to clients, and classes to other professionals.
How to Get Your Sexologist Certification
While sexology is not a regulated profession in the United States, there are some organizations that offer a path to becoming a certified sexologist. They include programs that are approved by The American Board of Sexology.
If you’d like to get your sexologist certification while becoming a somatic sexologist and a sex coach, you can get it all by taking the Somatica Sex and Relationship Coach Training. This certification program is offered twice a year (in Spring and Fall) and prepares you to work with clients of all different sexualities, on any issues they are facing in their sex lives and intimate relationships.
How Much Does a Certified Sexologist Earn?
Since sexologists can have many different types of careers, it can be challenging to pinpoint a typical salary.
Sexologists who are able to work in university settings and get research grants may make as much as other professors – whether they be adjunct, assistant, associate or tenured. These different professorships have salaries that range between $60,000 and $150,000 per year and require the advanced degree pathway to becoming a sexologist.
Alternatively, clinical sexologists who work directly with clients in a private practice may make anywhere from $50,000 to $225,000. Find out more information about sexology salaries here.
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