Dr.Janet Brito
A Guide to Becoming a Gender-Affirming Sex Therapist
As a sex therapist, you have an opportunity to help your clients explore and affirm their gender identity. Many clients you may see need more than the average therapist once provided, whether young or old. That's why it is essential to become a gender-affirming sex therapist to better your clients' needs.
This can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience for you and the clients. With this article, we will provide you guidance on how to become a gender-affirming sex therapist. But first, let's explore what gender therapy is and how it can benefit clients today.
What is Gender Therapy?
Gender therapy focuses on the mental, emotional, psychological, and social needs of individuals who may be questioning their gender, experiencing gender dysphoria, or don't exclusively identify with their designated gender at birth.
Gender therapy is just as beneficial for cisgender individuals as for others who identify as transgender or nonbinary. Gender therapy helps people overcome the confinement of traditional gender stereotypes to discover who they are.
How to Be a Gender-Affirming Sex Therapist?
As a sex therapist, providing clients with gender-affirming care in tandem with sex therapy can offer more support and education as your clients explore what gender means to them and how they identify. Here are a few ways to become a gender-affirming sex therapist.
#1: Focus on Educating Yourself About Gender Identity
It is essential for you to understand gender identities and to become a better resource for clients. Read more books, articles, blogs, and other journals to familiarize yourself with the latest information.
You may also want to attend events and workshops. As a gender-affirming sex therapist, you should always be able to provide quality information for your clients.
#2: Be a Supportive Ally for Each Client
As a gender-affirming sex therapist, it is important not to label but listen. There is no "right way" to express gender, and as a gender-affirming sex therapist, you should always remain supportive and provide insight rather than answers.
Always focus on the individual's experiences and support their personal experience of their self, body, and what they know of their gender. Be the supportive ally that they need as they navigate these challenges.
#3: Guidance is Key as a Gender-Affirming Sex Therapist
As a sex therapist, your clients are guided to self-determine what steps they can take to feel more comfortable with themselves and their bodies.
This is true regarding the discussions of their sex history and their sexual health. Therefore, it is essential to follow the informed consent model of care to move the field of gender health forward.
This is true regarding the discussions of their sex history and their sexual health. Therefore, it is essential to follow the informed consent model of care to move the field of gender health forward.
As a sex therapist, it is your mission to vouch for and support your clients with any interventions they may want, providing each individual their agency and autonomy as they make these decisions about what they need. With this, your clients can make informed decisions that help them understand and connect more deeply to their gender.
Interested in Becoming a Gender-Affirming Sex Therapist?
Are you interested in learning more about sex therapy and enhancing your practice to become more gender-affirming?
We specialize in providing AASECT and APA human sexuality CE courses that you can complete from the comfort of your home.
Visit our courses page to learn more!
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Jay Watts, Ph.D, M.A., M. Ed., ACS
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Sexual Health Learning Theories
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The Right to Belong: Prioritizing Justice, Equity, Diversity & Belonging in Sexuality Practices
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Ethical Non Monogamy
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Performance Anxiety During Family Planning
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Pleasure-Positive Practices: Destigmatizing Intimacy & Pleasure for Positive Communities
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Serving Muslim Clients: Understanding Islamic Practices in Intimacy & Sexuality
Dr. Jay Watts (She/They), is a Muslimah Sexologist hailing from Appalachia, has spent more than 14 years in the field of diversity, equity, and inclusion and more than a decade in sexual health and wellness. Informed by her rural roots and intersectional identity, she has aided in the support of more than 28 school districts, 30 higher educational institutions, 12 corporate settings, 42 non-profits, and more than 60,000 touch points of development at local and national conferences as a keynote and esteemed facilitator/speaker.
Dr. Jay has a Bachelor's degree from the University of Louisville in Social Studies Education; a Master's from Eastern Kentucky University in Human Services; a Master's from Kent State University in Cultural Foundations of Education; and a PhD from Walden University in Human Services: Mental Health (Sexuality Studies). They are board certified as a clinical sexologist through the American Board of Sexology, pending certification as a Sex Counselor through AASECT, and is a current board member for the American Board of Sexology. She has worked as a clinical sexologist for the Washington Wellness Institute, Maven Clinic, The Center for Empowered Sexual Wellness, and has consulted for state and federal projects, non-profits, and corporations. She specializes in not only sex counseling/coaching but policy development, education, HIV prevention, STD/STI education, pleasure-affirming practices for those living with HIV and AIDS, and curriculum design.
Furthermore, Jay has several esteemed publications including her dissertation research "Appropriated Racial Oppression as a Moderator of Sexual Satisfaction of Black Women". She is contracted to release "Unboxed" to liberate pansexual voices around the world by 2025 with Jessica Kinsley Publishing. In addition, she has presented at international, national, state, local, medical hospitals, and university settings.
Dr. Jay has merged her previous two businesses (The Center for Empowered Sexual Wellness & DiversiFirm Group) to form a non-profit (The Jilan Center) that specializes in The "4" Cores of Healing Justice: Sexual Wellness, Racial Healing, Recovery, and Community Power-Building. This organization will also be the home of the current The Inclusive Sex Coach Program and expanded certification options for sexologists (new and seasoned).
In 2025, Dr. Jay will release a sex tech app to support sexual health and wellness that embodies her foundation in justice, dignity, and belonging. She is excited to venture into a new area within sexuality and welcomes those who want to join her in their journey. Although her focus is Islamic sexual health, she welcomes all and has a great network of providers who can provide expanded support.
Janet Brito, PhD, PSY, LCSW, CST-S
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Introduction to Sexual Health: Socio-Cultural-Familial Factors in Relation to Sexual Values and Behaviors
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Theory and Methods of Sex-Related Psychotherapy and Counseling
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How to Build Intimacy Skills for Healthy Sexual Relationships: A Clinician's Guide
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Sexual Response Models and Sensate Focus
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A Beginner's Guide to Kink: A Sex-Positive Approach
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Out of Control Sexual Behaviors & Techniques to Treat Out of Control Sexual Behaviors
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Methods of Sex-Related Psychotherapy and Counseling: Clinical Approaches
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How Mindfulness Can Help You Improve Your Sex Life
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She Comes First: Pleasure Products Made for Her and Pleasure Enhancement Devices for Penis Owners
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Professional Communication and Personal Reflection Skills
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Introduction to Sex Therapy
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Sex Therapy: Assessment and Evaluation
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Delayed Ejaculation (DE): Assessment, Evaluation, and Evidence-Based Treatment Strategies
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Erectile Disorder (ED): Assessment, Evaluation, and Evidence-Based Treatment Strategies
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Female Orgasmic Disorder (FOD): Assessment, Evaluation, and Evidence-Based Treatment Strategies
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Female Sexual Interest/Arousal Disorder (FSIAD): Assessment, Evaluation, and Evidence-Based Treatment Strategies
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Genito-Pelvic Pain/Penetration Disorder (GPPPD): Assessment, Evaluation, and Evidence-Based Treatment Strategies
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Premature (Early) Ejaculation (PE): Assessment, Evaluation, and Evidence-Based Treatment Strategies
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Foundations of Sexual Health: Empowering Ethical Decision-Making through Self-Reflection
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Enhancing Intimacy: A Sex Therapy Approach to Addressing Sexual Difficulties in Couples Therapy
Dr. Janet Brito is an AASECT-certified sex therapist & supervisor who also has a license in clinical psychology and social work. She is a graduate of Pacifica Graduate Institute and completed her postdoctoral fellowship from the University of Minnesota Medical School, one of only a few university programs in the world dedicated to sexuality training. Currently, she’s based in Honolulu, Hawaii and is the founder of the Hawaii Center for Sexual and Relationship Health, a group practice that specializes in the areas of relationship and sex therapy, out of control sexual behavior, and providing an affirming space for gender and sexually diverse individuals.
In 2021, Dr. Brito started The Sexual Health School, an online training program for pre-licensed, licensed therapists, educators, graduate students, and health care professionals who are curious to learn more about sexual health. Dr. Brito has been featured on many outlets, including The Oprah Magazine, The Huffington Post, Playboy, Healthline, Women’s Health Magazine,Thrive Global, and Bustle. Her dissertation A phenomenological analysis on infertility in Mexican women living in the United States was published in the Revista Interamericana de Psicologia/Interamerican Journal of Psychology.
In 2021, Dr. Brito started The Sexual Health School, an online training program for pre-licensed, licensed therapists, educators, graduate students, and health care professionals who are curious to learn more about sexual health. Dr. Brito has been featured on many outlets, including The Oprah Magazine, The Huffington Post, Playboy, Healthline, Women’s Health Magazine,Thrive Global, and Bustle. Her dissertation A phenomenological analysis on infertility in Mexican women living in the United States was published in the Revista Interamericana de Psicologia/Interamerican Journal of Psychology.
Janielle Bryan, MPH CHES
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The Evolving Future of Reproductive Justice
Janielle Bryan, (she/her) is a public health practitioner and professor whose work centers on health justice. This includes work in community health, health education, and disease prevention. Her core philosophy is that a person’s socioeconomic status shouldn't be the deciding factor of their quality of life. Janielle focuses on pleasure as a means of political change and a positive force toward social equity.
Alejandra Lucatero, LCSW
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Reclaiming Sexuality
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Sexual Trauma and Self-Esteem
Alejandra Lucatero (she/her/ella) is a licensed clinical social worker, dual-licensed in California and Hawaii, and a clinical fellow at the Hawaii Center for Sexual and Relationship Health. She promotes sexual and relationship wellness and empowerment through a sex-positive therapeutic approach for individuals and couples facing sexual dysfunctions, relationship distress, gender/sexuality questioning, and sexual trauma.
Growing up in a predominantly Hispanic/Latine and Catholic community, Alejandra aims to reduce sexual stigma and break generational patterns that no longer serve people sexually. She completed her Certificate in Sexual Health at The Sexual Health School and has been featured in magazines such as Giddy, The Bump, Women’s Health, Hustlers, and Prevention.
Connect with Alejandra on Instagram for honest insights on relationships and sexual health.
Growing up in a predominantly Hispanic/Latine and Catholic community, Alejandra aims to reduce sexual stigma and break generational patterns that no longer serve people sexually. She completed her Certificate in Sexual Health at The Sexual Health School and has been featured in magazines such as Giddy, The Bump, Women’s Health, Hustlers, and Prevention.
Connect with Alejandra on Instagram for honest insights on relationships and sexual health.
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Javier Segovia, PhD, LCSW-S, BCD
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Understanding the Intersection: HIV/AIDS and Sexual Health
Dr. Segovia (he/him) holds a PhD in Social Work from Our Lady of the Lake University, integrates research, teaching, and clinical expertise to address LGBTQIA+ issues, adolescents, adults, HIV/AIDS, and more. As a psychotherapist and researcher, he contributes to ethical changes in social work curricula, currently employed with The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Devi Ward Erickson
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Introduction to Tantra
Devi Ward Erickson is the Founder of the world’s first and ONLY government accredited school for Tantric sexual healing in the world AND Founder of the world’s first advanced degree in lineage-based Tantric methods for holistic sexual healing (MA in Authentic Tantra).
Devi is a trauma survivor who has overcome and healed sexual and racial trauma through Tantric sexual and non-sexual practice. Devi is an internationally recognized Tantra Healing Expert, Certified Tantric Healer, and ABS Certified Clinical Sexologist. In 2015 Devi completed a 53 hour Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Advocacy Counselor training. Her background includes certification in Reiki and meditation. Devi Ward has been teaching meditation and personal growth workshops since 2000.
Devi is an author and the Host of Sex is Medicine with Devi Ward Podcast on Itunes and tunein.com. She has been featured as a Tantra and Sexuality Expert in countless articles and over 30 different radio and television net-works worldwide including Cosmopolitan Magazine, Ebony Magazine, VH1 Couples Retreat, Playboy Radio, Men’s Health Magazine, CBS, NBC, Rogers TV and the movie Sexology with Gabrielle Anwar and Catherine Oxenberg.
Most recently, Devi was awarded the 2021 AASECT Live Web Series Award and was featured in VH1 “Couples Retreat” (Episode 5,May 24th, 2021), Ebony Magazine , an article on Well + Good and most recently the Cosmo Bridgerton Article!
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Rebecca Hartman
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Reviving Connection: How Reducing Burnout Boosts Sexual Health and Strengthens Relationships – Insights from Emily Nagoski
Rebecca Hartman (she/her) is a kink-aware therapist who has extensive background working with individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders across the lifespan. She is a clinical fellow at Hawaii Center for Sexual and Relationship Health and promotes sex-positivity and radical self-care for clients and providers alike.
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Kaitlynn Felipe, LMT, LSW
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ʻIke Kupuna: Indigenous Knowledge in Sexual Health
Kaitlynn Felipe (formerly known as Kaitlynn Holt) is a licensed social worker of Native Hawaiian descent, born on the island of Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi. Her work is dedicated to creating healing spaces that integrate Indigenous wisdom with the realities of Western society. She blends culturally grounded practices—including traditional lomi lomi massage and health coaching—with community-based research, education, and advocacy.
Kaitlynn holds a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and is currently advancing her expertise through The Sexual Health School, where she's pursuing certification through AASECT in human sexuality education. Her research focuses on Indigenous health frameworks, ʻāina (land) connectedness, and the intersections of sexuality, identity, and cultural reclamation.
With experience across academic and community settings, Kaitlynn supports others in their journeys toward holistic wellness. Her relational approach emphasizes connection, cultural humility, and restoration, centering the importance of returning to ancestral knowledge found in bodies, stories, and land as pathways to healing, empowerment, and belonging.
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