Each week, The CSPH answers questions that have been submitted anonymously through our Formspring. This week’s question is: Why will there be no nudity or sexual activity in The CSPH Sexual Attitude Reassessment? I’ve heard this was possible in some SAR seminars.
A Sexual Attitude Reassessment (SAR) is a seminar that seeks to encourage participants to self-evaluate their feelings, values, and biases regarding human sexuality in a safe, educational, and interactive environment. Although open to the public, SARs are specifically designed for medical professionals, health-care providers, and those interested in the career field of human sexuality so that they may best understand how to provide care, support, and/or education to people of a variety of sexual backgrounds. The SAR is also a basic requirement for people pursuing accreditation as sexuality educators, counselors, and therapists. Although there are a few organizations that offer accreditation, the most widely recognized and respected accreditation organization is AASECT, The American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors, and Therapists.
To answer your question specifically: The CSPH SAR is certified by AASECT to provide credits to those seeking accreditation as a sex educator, counselor, or therapist. Furthermore, the SAR instructors, Megan Andelloux (CSE/AASECT) and Joseph Winn (MSW/LICSW/CST), are certified through the aforementioned organization. As such, the SAR’s they hold must adhere to AASECT standards, which prohibit monetary transactions for sexual activity as well as members having sexual relations with SAR participants. Thus, while nudity and sexual activity will be depicted in film and images, this behavior cannot take place in the actual SAR.
That said, you’ll find that some SARs do allow nudity and sexual activity. These SARs are not AASECT-certified, and it is unclear whether AASECT would approve of these SARs for credit. Therefore, if you are interested in pursuing a career as a sex educator, counselor, or therapist, we recommend that you participate in a SAR that will make you eligible for AASECT accreditation.
If you would like to learn more about AASECT’s Code of Ethics, you can read it here.
