Students will write a 6-10 page research paper on a topic related to sexuality and counselling. The paper must integrate a minimum of 8-10 peer-reviewed sources from the past 5 years. It will be graded on style/mechanics, analysis/use of course concepts, evidence/support, and organization/coherence. Students will also write a 4-6 page self-reflection paper exploring their own sexual development and identity formation, supported by citations from scholarly literature. This paper will be graded on analysis/use of concepts, evidence/support, organization/coherence, style/mechanics, and self-reflection. The course covers topics like gender identity, sexual orientation, sexual dysfunctions, and theoretical approaches to

1. Research Paper
Students will write a review on a topic related to the
interrelationship between sexuality and an area addressed within
the course. This review will explore contemporary thinking and
critiques of the topic and address implications for counselling.
Culture, ethnicity, age, class, and gender may also be
considered.
This paper must be 6 to 10 pages, double-spaced, using a
minimum of eight to ten peer-reviewed sources from the past 5
years and/or the Instructor recommended Bibliography. APA
formatting and citations are mandatory as the failure to cite
sources appropriately constitutes plagiarism.
Components
% of Grade
Style and mechanics
25%
Analysis and use of course concepts
25%
Evidence and support
25%
Organization and coherence
25%
TOTAL
100%
Session/
Date
Modules, Topics and Assignments
Readings

2. Session 1
Jan. 5
Introductions and Overview
· Orientation to course and expectations
· Sexuality counselling and Sex therapy
· Historical approaches
· Defining sexuality and the Contextualized sexuality model
· Intersectional approach to Cultural contexts
· Activity: Sexuality, p. 17, Ex. 1.1 Comfort and competence to
provide sexuality counselling interventions
· Reflections: Implications for Counselling (i.e., “Variance is
normal and adaptive”, Principles, p. 329)
Sexuality:
Chapters 1 and 9
Optional:
(to prep for next session):
Sexuality Chapter 7
Principles Chapter 14
AASECT certification
Session 2
Jan. 12
Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation
· Differentiating gender identity vs sexual orientation
· Activity: Use of non-gendered language (Sexuality, p. 195)
· Review of historical, societal and cultural contexts (e.g.,
heteronormativity vs. minority stress & internalization of
negative beliefs & higher mental health issues, suicide)
· Reflections:
Sexuality Chapter 7

3. Principles Chapter 14
Session 3
Jan. 19
Human Sexual Development and Sexual Schema
· Physiology of sexual organs; sexual response cycle & critique
· Development of sexuality through lifespan
· Sexual schema and scripts
· Challenging internalized messages
· Activity: Comfort in sexuality counselling (Sexuality, p. 102,
Ex. 3.1 – pre-assessment)
· Reflections:
Sexuality Chapter 5
Optional
Sexuality Chapter 4
Session 4
Jan. 26
Theoretical Approaches to Sex Therapy
· Historical: Medical, CBT (sensate focus, mindfulness,
masturbation training), Contextual (addresses psychological &
relational functioning)
· Postmodern approaches: Integrative (EFT, EMDR, Narrative),
Psychodynamic & Hypnosis, Social Constructivist (exploring
meaning making of gender, eroticism, interpersonal bonds,
sexual development, reproduction), Experiential (exploration of
fantasies, deviances, preferences, addresses shame), Systemic
therapies (systems that impact sexuality beliefs, experiences &
behaviours, e.g., EFT).
· Ethics for counsellors and Principles in relationships (i.e.,

4. non-coercion, non-deceit, non-using, respect for others’ beliefs)
· Activity: Discussing merits of approaches (Sexuality, p. 102,
Ex. 3.1 – post-assessment)
· Reflections: Your theoretical approaches preferred
Sexuality Chapter 3
Session 5
Feb. 2
Assessment
· Contextualizing Assessment
· Introduction to DSM 5
· Directory of Selected Instruments for Assessing Sexuality
· Activity: Practicing assessment and goal setting
· Reflections:
Sexuality Chapter 2
Session 6
Feb. 9
(No class
Feb. 16)
Sexual Dysfunctions
Major sexual dysfunctions/the “bread and butter” of sex therapy
· Sexual interest/arousal disorder (SAID) – women & men
· Female orgasmic disorder (FOD)
· Erectile dysfunction (ED)
· Premature ejaculation (PE)
Activity: Discussing case studies
Reflections:
Principles Chapters 1 -8
(Note: Scan for your areas of interest for research paper and in-
class activity)

5. Session 7
Feb. 23
Sexual Dysfunctions, cont’d (special issues now standard fare)
· LGBTQ
· Childhood sexual abuse
· Hypersexuality disorders/sex addiction
· Paraphilias
Activity: Discussing case studies
Reflections:
Principles Chapter 9, 14 & 17
Session 8
Mar. 2
Treatment and Outcomes
· PLLISIT model & Expanding your therapeutic range
· Limited research in outcome measures
· Outcome instruments: diaries, pre- and post-questionnaires,
open-ended interviews, physiological tests
· Research Paper presentations: Students will present a 5-10
min. overview of their chosen topic for their final paper (Note:
Papers should be related to theoretical approaches based on
students’ anticipated context of their work as a counsellor.)
Sexuality, p. 100
Please see below for my in class reflections and let me know if
you need help finding research papers.
1. What messages have you received about sex throughout your
life?
Sex and sexuality was a taboo topic when I was growing up. My
parents never talked about sex with me. I often associated sex

6. with guilt and shame. Sexual education was definitely very
lacking when I was in Taiwan. Choosing not to be sexual was
the safest option. Seeing a therapist can help individuals
overcome sexual shame.
2. Reflect on an aspect of your own sexuality and how this may
impact your comfort and ability to counsel.
Sexuality was a personal and forbidden topic when I was
growing up. I am still not completely comfortable talking about
it. Before I ask my clients to be honest about their feelings and
stories, I should learn to be more comfortable with my own
sexual beliefs and my ability to express my sexual desires.
Being able to address, articulate and discuss different factors
impacting sexual satisfaction will enhance my ability to counsel
in a therapy session.
3. Reflections on your sexual development
During my early adolescence years, I was trying to separate
from my family, spending more time with friends, developing
romantic feelings and attraction to others. I never really wanted
to engage in sexual intercourse because I was taught if a man
was willing to wait for sex, he would value and cherish me
more. However, I was pressured (sweet talk) into having sex
with my boyfriend at the time and the experience was not very
satisfying. I was sad that my motivation to have sex with him
was to please him not for my own sexual desire. I suffered from
sexual regret and kept researching for information about hymen
repair surgeries. Eventually, I chose not to undergo the surgery
and learned how to turn down sex when I wasn't ready. As a
aspiring therapist, I want to help others who had similar painful
experiences.
4. Provide a summary statement of your preferred theoretical
approach indicating the reason for your preference, (e.g. the

7. context of your anticipated counselling setting or as rel ated to
the implications for counselling).
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy is my preferred
theoretical approach for sex therapy. MBCT is useful in
reducing sexual stress and pain, improving sexual desire,
excitation, lubrication, orgasm and sexual satisfaction. I would
like to work with clients to lower their performance
anxiety, heighten awareness of their sensations, and educate
them to focus on pleasure.
Links for textbooks:
Binak, YM and Hall, KSK, Eds (2014). Principles and Practice
of Sex Therapy 5th Ed. New York: The Guilford Press.
https://cityuseattle-
my.sharepoint.com/:f:/g/personal/leechiaying_cityuniversity_ed
u/EpDCWp1F9u1MqrGHU0yCSCUBf9rcGfqHFP7t72Zb7_QRp
w?e=iu8ZCn
Murray, C, Pope, A and Willis, B (2017). Sexuality
Counselling: Theory, Research and Practice. Los Angeles:
Sage.
https://cityuseattle-
my.sharepoint.com/:f:/g/personal/leechiaying_cityuniversity_ed
u/EufUcH3CCSVGt_XPehjivssBSHNchAbAgnhCBmNxCnAYW
Q?e=myz51r
Self-Reflection Paper
Examining one’s own experience is a key area of professional
competence for counsellors. In this paper, students will explore

8. the evolution of their own identity and sexual development
which may highlight: cultural, religious, familial and/or peer
influences. This paper will highlight key moments in students’
development when their understanding of self and sexuality
created meaning making, impacts in their life or significantly
changed. Reflections should be supported with citations from
relevant scholarly literature.
This paper must be 4 to 6 pages, double-spaced, using a
minimum of three to five peer-reviewed sources from the past 5
years and/or the Instructor recommended Bibliography. APA
formatting and citations are mandatory as the failure to cite
sources appropriately constitutes plagiarism.
Components
% of Grade
Analysis and use of course concepts
20%
Evidence and support
20%
Organization and coherence
20%
Style and mechanics
20%
Self-reflection
20%
TOTAL
100%
Please see below for my in class reflections and let me know if
you need help finding research papers.
1. What messages have you received about sex throughout your
life?
Sex and sexuality was a taboo topic when I was growing up. My

9. parents never talked about sex with me. I often associated sex
with guilt and shame. Sexual education was definitely very
lacking when I was in Taiwan. Choosing not to be sexual was
the safest option. Seeing a therapist can help individuals
overcome sexual shame.
2. Reflect on an aspect of your own sexuality and how this may
impact your comfort and ability to counsel.
Sexuality was a personal and forbidden topic when I was
growing up. I am still not completely comfortable talking about
it. Before I ask my clients to be honest about their feelings and
stories, I should learn to be more comfortable with my own
sexual beliefs and my ability to express my sexual desires.
Being able to address, articulate and discuss different factors
impacting sexual satisfaction will enhance my ability to counsel
in a therapy session.
3. Reflections on your sexual development
During my early adolescence years, I was trying to separate
from my family, spending more time with friends, developing
romantic feelings and attraction to others. I never really wanted
to engage in sexual intercourse because I was taught if a man
was willing to wait for sex, he would value and cherish me
more. However, I was pressured (sweet talk) into having sex
with my boyfriend at the time and the experience was not very
satisfying. I was sad that my motivation to have sex with him
was to please him not for my own sexual desire. I suffered from
sexual regret and kept researching for information about hymen
repair surgeries. Eventually, I chose not to undergo the surgery
and learned how to turn down sex when I wasn't ready. As a
aspiring therapist, I want to help others who had similar painful
experiences.
4. Provide a summary statement of your preferred theoretical

10. approach indicating the reason for your preference, (e.g. the
context of your anticipated counselling setting or as related to
the implications for counselling).
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy is my preferred
theoretical approach for sex therapy. MBCT is useful in
reducing sexual stress and pain, improving sexual desire,
excitation, lubrication, orgasm and sexual satisfaction. I would
like to work with clients to lower their performance
anxiety, heighten awareness of their sensations, and educate
them to focus on pleasure.
Links for textbooks:
Binak, YM and Hall, KSK, Eds (2014). Principles and Practice
of Sex Therapy 5th Ed. New York: The Guilford Press.
https://cityuseattle-
my.sharepoint.com/:f:/g/personal/leechiaying_cityuniversity_ed
u/EpDCWp1F9u1MqrGHU0yCSCUBf9rcGfqHFP7t72Zb7_QRp
w?e=iu8ZCn
Murray, C, Pope, A and Willis, B (2017). Sexuality
Counselling: Theory, Research and Practice. Los Angeles:
Sage.
https://cityuseattle-
my.sharepoint.com/:f:/g/personal/leechiaying_cityuniversity_ed
u/EufUcH3CCSVGt_XPehjivssBSHNchAbAgnhCBmNxCnAYW
Q?e=myz51r