Training for Therapists

Diploma in Working with Sex Addiction


Course Directors: Stephanie Palin MA BSc (Hons) Dip PST FIfL Anna Palin-Swift MSC BSc PGD Relationship Therapy Dip SA

Course approved by ATSAC (Association for the Treatment of Sex Addiction and Compulsivity) students can join as a student member throughout the course and will then be eligible for qualified membership following completion. This membership comes with benefits such as free CPD events, access to the annual conference, a quarterly journal and your details on the counsellor directory.


Level 5 Diploma accredited by CPCAB

Course now delivered via zoom with the same opportunities to learn in small groups and to partake in skills practice.


New Course Dates for Therapy Institute

Module 1 - February 13th and 14th

Module 2 - March 6th and 7th

Module 3 - April 17th and 18th

Module 4 - May 8th and 9th

Module 5 - June 12th and 13th

Module 6 - July 3rd and 4th


You must attend 5 modules to obtain your diploma, if you do miss any dates we will record any of the learning for that day and make this available to you ahead of your following module.

This accredited course provides training for professionals to work with individuals and couples for whom sex addiction (sexual compulsivity) is an issue.

Students will be given a comprehensive understanding of the various treatment options for working with sex addiction involving non-offending behaviour. A variety of teaching methods will be used, including teaching input, experiential work, role play and use of video.

On completion of the course, trainees will be able to:

  • Define sex addiction and understand its presentation and aetiology.

  • Make an informed sex addiction assessment and decisions about suitability for therapy.

  • Work ethically with sex addicts and be aware of legal issues and disclosure

  • Develop treatment strategies that include addressing underlying causes and relapse prevention

  • Provide support for partners and work with couples on restoring their couple relationship.

As well as completion of each module, trainees will complete a 2,500 word essay on a topic of their choice, relating to sex addiction. Students will also need to show evidence of their supervised clinical work with sex addicted clients.


In brief the modules cover:

What is Sex Addiction?

  • Definitions from a variety of sources,

  • Assessment tools

  • Motivational Interviewing

  • Ethics

  • Cyberculture and sex

Understanding Sex Addiction

  • Attachment injuries

  • Traumatic experiences

  • Social and Environmental Influences

  • Neuroscientific evidence

Recovery Principles and Treatment Programmes 

  • Cycle of Addiction

  • Testing Motivation

  • Working with Shame Reduction

Impact on Partner and Couples

  • Collusions and Co-dependency

  • Boundaries

  • Support strategies

Treatment Programmes

  • Changing Lifestyles

  • Work-Life Balance

  • Partner involvement

  • Role of EMDR.

Maintenance

  • Cognitive Restructuring

  • CBT

  • Mindfulness

  • Couple work

  • Partner support.

ACCREDITATION – CPCAB Level 5
APPROVED BY ATSAC
72 HOURS OF CPD


Entry Requirements

Course requirement are one of the following:

  • Diploma Level in Counselling or therapy

  • Diploma in Psychosexual Therapy

  • Other qualifications will be considered subject to a satisfactory interview.

In addition Course members need to have undertaken 20 clinical hours with clients.

Please click here to contact the Therapy Institute Course Director to discuss


For any other assistance please contact ATSAC the team

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