The College of Sexual and Relationship Therapy

Members of the public seeking help for sexual and relationship difficulties need to be assured that the training and standard for therapists is of high quality.

Members of the College of Sexual and Relationship therapy believe in healthy, satisfying and rewarding relationships and seek to develop and maintain high standards of professional practice through regulation, training, research and the dissemination of knowledge.

Psychotherapists trained in the field of sexual and relationship therapy must adhere to strict codes of ethics and practice both of UKCP and their member organisation.

The codes reflect the need for stringent training standards to ensure that clients receive an effective and ethical service. They will also ensure that those who complete their training will be fully equipped to work in the public and voluntary sectors, as well as to work privately.

Training is multi-modal (includes behavioural, cognitive, experiential, psychodynamic and systemic approaches) and includes anatomy and physiology of sexual function. Students will gain therapy experience by means of supervised clinical placements. The knowledge gained may be used to inform the therapy of individuals, couples and group therapy.

Sexual and relationship therapy analyses the interactions between the physical, psychological and relational aspects of clients' difficulties. Thus a wide range of knowledge, and its application, is necessary. This includes understanding the impact of physical factors in sexual problems such as the effects of illness, surgery, medication and substance misuse.