Certificate in Working with Sex & Sexuality in Counselling – ONLINE COURSE

This six-day, professional CPD programme is designed for those who are interested in developing their skills and experience to enable them to begin working with the themes of sex and sexuality in their therapeutic work. The programme is ideally suited for those who are already experienced counsellors working with individuals and or couples and who are interested in deepening their appreciation of working with of sex and sexuality in their practice.

The programme will be based upon the principles and philosophical concepts which underpin person centred theory and will incorporate experiential activities and group discussions as well as providing opportunities to practice in small groups. The course is designed to support therapists to gain the skills and confidence to help clients to talk about sex and sexuality in their life. Trainers will provide examples from their experience working with clients to facilitate the learning.

Course Lead –

Ross Cairns is an experienced counsellor/psychotherapist/supervisor/trainer/tutor and group facilitator who has been involved in developing and delivering training in a variety of setting and sectors over the last 20 years. He has created and delivered bespoke training packages for the Scottish Construction Sector as well as working with some smaller organisations to assist with staff training and implementation of key initiatives. Ross is the lead tutor/trainer with Persona and has played a key role in the delivery of the Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy over the last 10 years. Ross is an MSc qualified Psychotherapist and an accredited member of BACP and he currently runs a private therapy and supervision practice as part of his portfolio of interests. Ross became interested in working with Couples, sex, sexuality and families when he was completing his MSc programme, and since then has built up a wealth of experience in this area. He currently sees couples and families regularly as part of his private practice.

The course will be delivered FULLY ONLINE over six days.

Day 1   Sunday April 26th 2026            9.00 – 4.30

Theme: Introduction & Beginnings

• Course Outline
• Introductions to each other and the topic
• Exploring our sexual development and influences
• Exploring our own sexuality
• Discussing clinical implications and application
• Examples from clinical practice

Day 2   Saturday May 30th 2026                  9.30 – 4.30

Theme: Therapeutic Conditions and Boundaries

• The purpose of Sex in relationships
• Shame its origins and how it shows up in working with sex in therapy
• Group Reflections on the day

Day 3   Sunday May 31st 2026               9.30 – 4.30

Theme: Sexual Fantasies, Kink and Fetish – will be facilitated by our guest presenter Aleksandra Veleno

• Exploring and working with sexual fantasies
• Exploring Kink & Fetish and its importance to therapeutic work
• Group Reflections on the day

Day 4   Saturday June 27th 2026                 9.30 – 4.30

Theme: Sexual dysfunction, STI’s and the limits of sex informed therapy

• Sexual dysfunction, meanings, causes and treatments
• Sexually transmitted diseases, causes and treatments
• Limits of sex informed therapy
• Group Reflections on the day

Day 5   Sunday June 28th 2026             9.30 – 4.30

Theme: Infidelity, desire, passion and pornography

• Infidelity, the why and how and its impact
• Desire and passion in relationships
• Pornography- its place within a sexual relationship
• Group Reflections on the day

Day 6   Saturday July 12^th 2026             9.30 – 4.30

Theme: Bringing your work home

• • Impact of working with sex upon the practitioner
  • Erotic feelings within the therapeutic relationship
  • Self-care
  • Endings
  • Statement of Learning
  • Group Reflections on the day

1. A 15-minute transcript of a session working with sexual content

2. A 2000-word essay accompanying the transcript:
   • Relate this to your understanding of the theory as taught in this training
   • A consideration of and comment around the dynamics in the session
   • Reflections on your process

3. A 2000-word Statement of Learning and Development which will be informed by:
   • your experiences on the course
   • your on-going practice and supervision
   • Your further reading

4. Completion of 12 hours of supervised work within which you have been working with the themes of sex /sexuality in your therapeutic practice.

Timeframe for completion of course requirements: Before November 30th 2026

The course expects participants to be able to draw on their own experience of supervised clinical practice and therefore it is important that individuals feel sufficiently competent and grounded in their orientation as a practitioner in order to gain maximum learning and development from the programme.  Applicants will also be members of a Professional Association, (BACP, NCPS, UKCP, COSCA) with relevant indemnity insurance.

If you are interested in the programme, please complete the Application Form and forward it to the Persona office, admin@personacounselling.com along with the name of someone who knows you in a professional capacity (ideally your supervisor) and is willing to provide a reference.  It is the responsibility of the applicant to arrange a reference. There is no formal interview process, however, the course tutor may contact applicants if any questions arise from the application form.

Course Fees: £790.00

This includes a deposit of £100 to secure a place on the programme.  The remaining course fees can be made as one instalment or as six monthly instalments of £115 from April to September 2026.

Application Deadline: Monday April 6^th

Please note there will be a minimum number of participants for the programme to commence.  The course will be limited to a maximum of 12 participants

For all enquires please contact:

admin@personacounseling.com

Tel: 0330 202 0283