Abstract
Attitudes towards sexuality have been gradually changing in America over the last thirty-five years. Increasing emphasis on the positive role of sexuality throughout the life cycle has focused professional and public attention on the practice of sex therapy.
In this final chapter, Lo Piccolo addresses some of the most crucial questions concerning sex therapy as a profession: What exactly is sex therapy, who is qualified to be a sex therapist, and how can the profession ensure high standards and protect the consumer?
In his discussion, the author pulls together many of the ideas presented in preceding chapters of this book. Beginning with a brief overview of the development of sex therapy, the author goes on to evaluate the current uncontrolled state of the “profession” of sex therapist.
Given that sex therapy has been shown to be effective, it seems destined to become a permanent part of the psychotherapy scene. The issues of training and licensure that the author raises, along with his proposals for regulation, deserve serious consideration.
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LoPiccolo, J. (1978). The Professionalization of Sex Therapy: Issues and Problems. In: LoPiccolo, J., LoPiccolo, L. (eds) Handbook of Sex Therapy. Perspectives in Sexuality. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-3973-1_43
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-3973-1_43
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