The Responsibilities of Professionals Working with Non-traditional Sexual Expression

Sexual Expression including Orientation and Identity: Treatment and Education is a position statement recently released by AASECT (American Association of Sexuality Education Counselors and Therapists), the certifying body of Sex therapists, counselors and Educators. The statement honors sexuality as a key human experience, and allows for a vast spectrum of sexual orientation and identities. Variant behaviors between consenting adults are not considered pathology. The statement position also focuses on social justice and protection of those who may have been traditionally marginalized.

This article by member Russell Stambaugh reviews the position statement and comments on how working with variable sexual behavior pertains to ethical practice. He highlights the importance of the guidelines the statement outlines regarding the organization’s  commitment to protecting clients from reparative therapy. This has continued implications for professional ethics in diagnostic and treatment protocols.

Members and the public are correct to feel that such a position changes the therapy practice landscape… Diagnostic labels function two ways; sometimes allowing access to treatment yet also conferring shame, promoting dependency, and marginalizing some clients.

Ultimately, AASECT’s adoption of this position is an important step toward ending the stigmatization and marginalization of non-traditional sexual expression.

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