PSP304 Sexological counseling and therapy (Spring 2029)

The student:

Knowldege

• Is familiar with different experiences of sexual identity and gender identity, stress caused by a lack of belonging (minority stress), and how this has an impact on the therapeutic approach.
• Has knowledge of sexual problems and their treatment.
• Is familiar with the relationship between various diseases, disabilities and sexuality, and how treatment of these can affect sexuality.
• Has knowledge of sexual abuse, harmful effects thereof, and treatment options.
• Is familiar with how social and cultural factors affect people's sexuality positively and negatively.

Skills

• Can offer knowledge-based advice to clients seeking assistance for difficulties related to gender expression.
• Can analyze and reflect on own attitudes and values in relation to sexuality, gender and gender expression.

General competence

• Can relate professionally and with adequate knowledge to clients’ sexual problems and challenges.
• Can relate to different life situations and events and integrate an understanding of the conditions of sexuality in relation to these.
• Is alert to issues regarding sexuality and gender both as a cause of and consequence of other psychological issues.

The course provides basic knowledge of biological, psychological and social conditions for human sexuality. This includes the anatomy and physiology of sexuality, bodily sexual development from birth to death, subjective experience of the body and emotions, relationships, identity, variety and diversity, and the importance of social and cultural conditions for the understanding and experience of sexual expressions. The role of language in relation to the experience and understanding of human sexuality plays a central role.

The course provides an introduction to sex therapy, with an emphasis on specific research-based methods. It also provides students with knowledge of general sexology (sexual problems and dysfunctions in individuals and couples), patterns of sexual arousal, problematic management of sexuality, boundary issues, traumatized sexuality, gender identity, sexuality and illness, and disabilities and sexuality. This also implies acknowledging the importance of political issues for sexual well-being.

• Lectures
• Seminars. Seminars require students to be active and to reflect on their own practice.
• Group work. The groups shall facilitate the exchange of experience and knowledge development through work with concrete issues, case reviews and exercises through role plays.

There is compulsory teaching in the subject. See detailed description in Canvas. Expected scope of work in the subject is 135 hours.

Approved participation in compulsory education.

Approved oral presentation of exam project.

See detailed description in Canvas.

Written project work in groups. A shared grade is given to the group.

Grades: Graded A-F.