Ethics and Ethical Behavior: AASECT Core Knowledge Areas

The topic of sexuality is often considered taboo in our society. Many of the topics involved push a person’s boundaries and may even make them uncomfortable. Plus, cultural differences can make it difficult for sex therapists to make ethical decisions. Making ethical decisions isn’t always easy. Not all situations are cut and dry; there can be a surprising amount of nuance. This course aims to overcome these challenges by reviewing AASECT ethical guidelines, and using relevant case examples and scenarios to examine issues surrounding cultural responsiveness and ethical decision-making. You’ll learn about the ethical challenges healthcare professionals face, particularly when it comes to sex, sexuality, and sexual identity and how they are influenced by cultural norms. Just some of the topics that you will explore include managing ethical dilemmas in the therapy room, discussing erotic transference, and how to incorporate cultural responsiveness and ethical decision-making. While cultural responsiveness and ethical decision making are technically two separate concepts, they are also intrinsically connected. Despite the strong correlation, these concepts are rarely examined together. They are critical for all professionals in the healthcare landscape, including sex therapists and mental health professionals. This course aims to enable health care professionals to incorporate both when providing services to clients to ensure optimal outcomes.