1 Hour / 1 CE

On Demand | Self-Paced Professional Training

This on-demand professional training program on Introduction to Sexuality in the Helping Professions is presented by Megan Speciale, PhD.

This introductory program explores key sexuality concepts and their relevance across helping professions like counseling, social work, and healthcare. Participants gain foundational knowledge to sensitively address sexuality-related client needs, navigate ethical and cultural considerations, and advance their professional development in this crucial domain.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:

  • 1 Describe key concepts related to human sexuality and explain their relevance in various helping professions (e.g., counseling, social work, education, healthcare)
  • 2 Describe common issues and concerns related to sexuality that clients/patients may face, and discuss strategies for addressing these issues with sensitivity and professionalism
  • 3 Describe ethical and cultural considerations when addressing sexuality-related topics in helping relationships

  • Intended Audience

    This training is intended for mental health professionals seeking to fulfill licensure or continuing education requirements related to human sexuality. It is tailored for practitioners working in a variety of clinical settings and specialty areas, providing foundational knowledge and skills relevant to their practice environments, including marriage and family therapy, clinical social work, psychology, professional clinical counseling, and general mental health practice.


    Examples of Relevant Professionals:
    • Mental Health Professionals
    • Marriage and Family Therapists
    • Clinical Social Workers
    • Psychologists
    • Professional Clinical Counselors
    • General Mental Health Practitioners

  • Experience Level

    This introductory program is designed for licensed and pre-licensed mental health professionals at various stages of experience who wish to enhance their competence in addressing sexuality-related topics in helping professions.

    • Beginner: Participants new to sexuality topics in professional practice who seek foundational knowledge and basic strategies for addressing client concerns with sensitivity.

    • Intermediate: Participants with some prior experience or training in sexuality-related issues who wish to deepen their understanding of ethical and cultural considerations and refine their professional skills in this area.

  • Practice Setting

    Clinicians practice in diverse clinical, community, and healthcare environments, providing assessment, therapy, and consultation to individuals, couples, families, and groups across the lifespan. Work often occurs on interdisciplinary teams and may be delivered in-person or via telehealth, with attention to ethical, cultural, and trauma-informed care.


    Examples of Practice Settings:
    • Private outpatient practice
    • Community mental health center
    • Hospital or behavioral health unit
    • University/college counseling center
    • Integrated primary care or medical clinic
    • Telehealth/virtual care platforms
    • Residential or inpatient treatment program
    • School-based counseling services
    • Forensic/correctional behavioral health

Presented By

Megan Speciale, PhD Faculty at Palo Alto University

Dr. Megan Speciale is an Associate Professor in the Counseling Department at Palo Alto University, where she serves as course lead coordinator for Sexual Issues in Counseling and Counseling Womxn, a course examining intersectional issues in women's mental health. Her research and scholarship focuses on the areas of social justice/critical theory-based perspectives of counseling, pedagogy, and counselor education; sexuality counseling and education; issues related to diverse sexuality populations (e.g., sex work, kink/BDSM, ethical non-monogamy); issues related to women and LGBTQQIA+ populations; and qualitative research methodologies. Megan is also the Editor-in-Chief for The Thoughtful Counselor podcast which frequently explores themes of sexuality, relationships, and sexual health. Through her teaching, research, and service, she aims to increase counselor competence in addressing the sexual selves of clients.

View More Programs from this Presenter
Megan Speciale, PhD

Training Outline

Key topics covered in this training include:

  • Introduction to Human Sexuality
    - Key terminology and concepts
    - Biological, psychological, and social factors

  • Sexuality in Helping Professions
    - Common client concerns and issues
    - Case study/examples from different professions
    - Strategies for sensitive and professional approaches

  • Ethics and Culture
    - Ethical and cultural guidelines and considerations

CE Sponsorship Information

Palo Alto University, Continuing & Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by, recognized by, or maintains sponsorship provider status with the following boards and agencies. We maintain responsibility for all content in our CE/CPD programs. For more information, visit here. 

  1. American Psychological Association (APA): Approved sponsor of continuing education for psychologists.

  2. Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB): Approved continuing education provider (ACE program, Provider #1480), 11/22/2023–11/22/2026.

  3. Canadian Psychological Association (CPA): Approved to sponsor continuing education for psychologists.

  4. National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC): Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEP No. 7190).



Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) maintains responsibility for this program and its content. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT), is approved by the Canadian Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT), SW CPE is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0356 and the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0073. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6811. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. CONCEPT Professional Training, #1480, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. CONCEPT Professional Training maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period: 11/22/23-11/22/26. Social workers completing this course receive (clinical or social work ethics) continuing education credits.