10 Hours / 10 CEs

On Demand | Self-Paced Professional Training

This on-demand professional training program on Sexuality and Mental Health: What Clinicians Need to Know is presented by Megan Speciale, PhD.

This program is designed to provide mental health professionals with a comprehensive understanding of human sexuality, covering physiological, psychological, and socio-cultural variables associated with sexual identity, behavior, and disorders.

Through this program, participants gain valuable insights into:

  1. The spectrum of sexual identities, including sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender dysphoria.
  2. The diverse array of sexual behaviors and expressions.
  3. Diagnostic criteria and considerations for various sexual disorders.
  4. Ethical and legal issues related to working with clients presenting with sexual concerns.

By completing this program, participants develop heightened awareness, sensitivity, and competence in addressing diverse sexual identities, behaviors, and expressions within their clinical practice. They also learn to recognize the scope of their practice limitations and the importance of seeking additional training or consultation when working with complex sexual issues.

This program fulfills the training requirements for licensure and renewal in various mental health professions, including marriage and family therapists, clinical social workers, psychologists, and professional clinical counselors.

Participants benefit from:

  1. Improved ability to provide culturally competent and affirming care to clients with diverse sexual identities and expressions
  2. Enhanced understanding of diagnostic criteria and treatment considerations for sexual disorders
  3. Increased confidence in navigating ethical and legal issues related to human sexuality in clinical settings
  4. Opportunities for professional growth and career advancement in specialized areas of practice



Learning Objectives

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

  • 1 Describe the physiological, psychological, and social-cultural variables associated with sexual identity, including sexual orientation, gender identity, and sexual well-being.
  • 2 Describe the spectrum of sexual behaviors, identities, and practices.
  • 3 Describe the criteria and diagnostic considerations for various sexual disorders, as outlined in the DSM-5-TR.
  • 4 Describe awareness and sensitivity toward diverse sexual identities, behaviors, and expressions, and their impact on mental health and well-being.
  • 5 Describe ethical and legal considerations related to working with clients presenting with concerns related to sexual identity, behavior, or disorders.
  • 6 Describe the scope of practice limitations and the importance of seeking additional training or consultation when working with clients presenting with complex sexual issues.

  • Intended Audience

    This training is designed for mental health professionals seeking to expand their foundational knowledge of human sexuality as it relates to clinical practice. It is especially relevant for those working in general mental health, marriage and family therapy, clinical social work, psychology, and professional clinical counseling, and aims to enhance cultural competence and sensitivity when addressing sexual identity, behavior, and related concerns with diverse client populations. While not intended to prepare participants as sex therapists, the training fulfills licensure or continuing education requirements and supports improved quality of care for clients presenting with sexual health issues.

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

  • Experience Level

    This program is appropriate for a range of experience levels among licensed and pre-licensed mental health professionals seeking foundational and intermediate knowledge in human sexuality.

    • Beginner: Participants with limited prior training in human sexuality who are seeking foundational knowledge to enhance cultural competence and sensitivity in clinical practice.

    • Intermediate: Participants with some prior exposure to human sexuality topics who wish to deepen their understanding of diverse sexual identities, behaviors, and ethical considerations in mental health care.

  • Practice Setting

    Participants practice in structured clinical environments that provide assessment, psychotherapy, and care coordination for diverse clients presenting with sexual identity, behavior, and related concerns. These workplaces emphasize culturally responsive, evidence-informed treatment, interdisciplinary collaboration, rigorous documentation, and ethical/legal compliance, with referral to specialists when indicated.

    Examples of Practice Settings:
    • Community mental health clinics
    • Private group practices
    • College/university counseling centers
    • Hospitals/medical centers
    • Residential treatment facilities
    • Correctional facilities
    • Agencies serving LGBTQ+ populations
Presented By

Megan Speciale, PhD

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.



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Training Outline

Key topics covered in this training include:

  • Introduction to Human Sexuality

  • Sexual Identity

  • Sexual Behavior and Expression

  • Sexual Functioning

  • Implications for Practice

  • Ethical and Legal 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).

Sponsorship Approval Statements

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), is approved by the Canadian Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7190. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Palo Alto University, #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. Palo Alto University 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. Continuing and Professional Studies, Palo Alto University, is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0103. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. Palo Alto University, Continuing & Professional Studies (CONCEPT), 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. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies, is recognized by 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.