"The true meaning of life is to plant trees under whose shade you do not expect to sit."  Nelson Henderson

 

It is difficult for me to believe that I am to the point in my career where I am supervising the next generation of sex therapists.  I have been a therapist for 30 years and a member of the American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors, and Therapists since 1999.  I will never forget the first conference I attended in Atlanta.  I knew that I had found my tribe on the island of misfit toys!

 

If you are planning to be in this field in whatever capacity, you need a community.  Working with a supervisor is just part of the equation.  AASECT offers the standard of training for sex educators, counselors, and therapists.  By joining AASECT (whether or not you get certified), you can access the listserv, a private forum for sexuality professionals all over the world.  You will also have access to a list of ongoing sexuality workshops and trainings.  Sex positive people are a minority in this country.  Their voices are essential in balancing the relentless tide of sexual shame and judgement that pervades American history and culture.  It is an endless war that needs constant replenishment on the front lines.  And because of the cultural legacy around sexuality, there is so much trauma.  I don't think you can be a sexuality professional without being trauma informed and trained.

 

Keep in mind that AASECT certification allows you to complete up to 5 hours of supervision with an AASECT professional outside your chosen field.  So, for example, if you plan to be a sex educator, you can still complete 5 hours of supervision with a sex therapist.  Sex education was a big part of my work with clients and it is still a part of teaching sexuality to undergraduates whose only sex ed was health class in 5th or 6th grade.  

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As a supervisor, I like to think I bring the same realness to supervision that I brought to therapy.  Providing sex therapy is more challenging than other types of therapy.  It requires a therapist who is very clear with boundaries and with their own biases - and everyone has biases when it comes to sex.  Part of the certification process is looking at your biases and deciding where your 'edges' are.  What are you comfortable working with and what aspects of sexuality can you not be objective about?  This process begins with the Sexual Attitudes Reassessment (SAR) experience and continues throughout your training for certification.  

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If you are interested in AASECT supervision for sex therapy, please review the criteria through this link: https://www.aasect.org/aasect-certified-sex-therapist-0

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If you plan to pursue AASECT certification,  I am happy to talk with you about the process but I am no longer accepting supervisees in preparation for retirement.  

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Check out this video with Natalie Elliott about 10 things to look for in a Sex Therapy Supervisor:

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Here is feedback from supervisees:

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"Cay is absolutely wonderful. She's attentive and puts forth effort in thinking through cases with me and encourages/supports my professional development in a way my previous supervisor did not. She's even helped me realize some major things about myself personally that affect the way I show up for clients.  I couldn't be more thankful for these insights.  She has provided via email invaluable assessments, information, and templates."

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"Cay is an attentive, intellectually curious and highly skilled listener and sound-boarder for complicated and simple cases and clinical questions in general.  Cay maintains clear professional boundaries, encourages curiosity and self-reflection and is overall a superior Supervisor.  I am grateful that in choosing her as a Supervisor I have continued to benefit from a patient, timely, and detail-oriented Supervisor who thinks systemically, compassionately, and creatively.  Further validating her mentorship qualities, Cay provides follow-up responses and resources to questions and explorations that surface during Supervision."

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"I feel grateful that I have Cay as my supervisor.  She is highly experience and competent and holds a gentle supportive knowledgeable container for me to process, share and grow.  I always leave with new info, thoughts and ideas around stuck places that I bring into session.  I feel heard and validated in the hard work we all do as clinicians and continue to learn each time we meet, about myself, areas. of clinical specialty and client engagement."

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I am honored to have had a role in supervising the following AASECT Certified Sex Therapists. 

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Andrew Hancock-Shaw, New Orleans, LA

Angela Jensen Ramirez, Austin, TX

Katherine Mattioli, Houston, TX

Austin Siegel, San Antonio, TX

Dr. Celeste Riley, Bryan, TX

Dagmara Svetcov, Allen, TX

Lisa Elieson, Keller, TX

Jane Bintz, Houston, TX

Maegan Megginson, Seattle, WA

Matthew Bridgestock, American Fork, UT

Venessa Zepeda, Brownsville, TX

Jessica Bolden-Riley, Weatherford, TX

Renea Hunter, Dallas, TX

Savannah Van Besien, Austin, TX

LaVange Barth, Lansing, MI

Alisha Saucedo, Topeka, KS

Cami Hurst, Meridian, ID

Dr. Bill Johnson, Chicago, IL

Anne Auerbach, Kirkland, WA

Cheri Locke, Katy, TX

Samantha Green, Seattle, WA

Jessica Moran, San Marcos, CA

Lindsay Erickson, NYC, NY

Justine Meador, Santa Barbara, CA

Sandra Gutierrez, Las Cruces, NM

Cheryl Camarillo, San Antonio, TX

Eddie Lomash, Severna Park, MD

Doris Bong, Edmonton, Alberta