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 for mental health professionals in early to mid-career who seek to expand their knowledge of human sexuality in clinical practice. It is most relevant for those working in general mental health practice but may also benefit practitioners in specialties such as marriage and family therapy, clinical social work, psychology, or professional clinical counseling. Participants typically work in settings including community mental health clinics, private or group practices, college/university counseling centers, hospitals or medical centers, residential treatment facilities, correctional facilities, or agencies serving LGBTQ+ populations.

  • Experience Level

    This training is applicable for all career stages: entry-level, mid-career, and experienced professionals.

  • Practice Setting

    • Marriage and family therapists.
    • Clinical social workers.
    • Professional clinical counselors.
    • General mental health practitioners.
    • Community mental health clinics.
    • College/university counseling centers.
    • Hospitals or medical centers.
    • Residential treatment facilities.
    • Correctional facilities.
    • Agencies serving LGBTQ+ populations.

Presented By

Megan Speciale, PhD, 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.

View More Programs from this Presenter
Megan Speciale, PhD

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).



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.