Become a Patron!
As a sexologist, I have seen an alarming trend in recent years: the rise of self-proclaimed sex coaches and tantra coaches who lack the proper training and expertise to provide safe and effective guidance on sexuality. While coaching can be a valuable tool for personal growth and development, it is essential to seek out qualified professionals with specialized training in sexuality to avoid potential harm.
The dangers of going to self-proclaimed sex coaches, tantra coaches, or individuals with only coaching certifications but not sexuality-specific training are numerous. These individuals may lack the knowledge and skills necessary to address complex sexual issues, leading to ineffective or even harmful advice. They may also promote harmful or inaccurate beliefs about sexuality, such as the idea that certain sexual practices are inherently “good” or “bad.”
Additionally, these individuals may not have the necessary ethical standards or professional boundaries in place to protect their clients’ well-being. Without proper training in areas such as informed consent, confidentiality, and boundaries, they may inadvertently cross ethical lines or put their clients at risk.
- One of the dangers of going to self-proclaimed sex coaches is that they may lack the knowledge and skills necessary to address complex sexual issues. For example, if you are experiencing sexual dysfunction or have a history of trauma, you need a practitioner who has specialized training in these areas. To avoid this danger, it is important to seek out practitioners who have completed rigorous training programs in sexuality or who hold advanced degrees in related fields such as psychology or social work. In the United States, individuals can find qualified sexologists through organizations such as the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT) or the Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality (SSSS). In Singapore, individuals can find qualified sexologists through organizations such as the Singapore Association for Sexual Health (SASH) or the Asia Pacific Society of Sexual Medicine (APSSM).
- Another danger of going to self-proclaimed sex coaches is that they may promote harmful or inaccurate beliefs about sexuality. For example, some coaches may believe that certain sexual practices are inherently “good” or “bad,” leading to shame or guilt around certain behaviors. To avoid this danger, it is important to seek out practitioners who provide evidence-based guidance on topics such as sexual health, communication, and pleasure. Look for professionals who have a non-judgmental and sex-positive approach to sexuality.
- A third danger of going to self-proclaimed sex coaches is that they may not have the necessary ethical standards or professional boundaries in place to protect their clients’ well-being. For example, they may not have clear policies around informed consent or confidentiality. To avoid this danger, it is important to seek out practitioners who adhere to ethical standards and have clear boundaries in place to protect their clients’ well-being.
In conclusion, while coaching can be a valuable tool for personal growth and development, it is essential to seek out qualified professionals with specialized training in sexuality to avoid potential harm. By working with a sexologist or other qualified sexuality professional, you can receive safe and effective guidance on sexual issues and achieve greater sexual health and well-being. Remember to always ask about their qualifications and experience, and look for professionals who adhere to ethical standards and have clear boundaries in place to protect their clients’ well-being.
I am running a Professional Certificate in Sexuality Educator for qualified counselors starting 10 Aug 2023. Please check it out here.
About Dr. Martha Tara Lee
Dr. Martha Tara Lee has been a passionate advocate for positive sexuality since 2007. With a Doctorate in Human Sexuality and a Masters in Counseling, she launched Eros Coaching in 2009 to help individuals and couples lead self-actualised and pleasurable lives. Her expertise includes working with couples who have unconsummated marriage, individuals with sexual inhibitions and discrepancies in sexual desire, men with erection and ejaculation concerns, and members of the LGBTQIA+ and kink communities. Dr. Lee welcomes all sexual orientations and is available for online and face-to-face consultations. Martha speaks English and Mandarin.
She is the only certified sexuality educator by the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT) in the region (as of 2011) and is also an AASECT certified sexuality educator supervisor (as of 2018). She strives to provide fun, educational, and sex-positive events and is often cited in the media including Huffington Post, Newsweek, South China Morning Post, and more. She is the appointed Resident Sexologist for Singapore Cancer Society, Of Noah.sg, OfZoey.sg, and Virtus Fertility Centre. She is the host of radio show Eros Evolution for OMTimes Radio. In recognition of her work, she was named one of ‘Top 50 Inspiring Women under 40’ by Her World in July 2010, and one of ‘Top 100 Inspiring Women’ by CozyCot in March 2011. She is the author of Love, Sex and Everything In-Between (2013), Orgasmic Yoga: Masturbation, Meditation and Everything In-Between (2015), From Princess to Queen: Heartbreaks, Heartgasms and Everything In-Between (2017), and {Un}Inhihibited (2019).
You can read the testimonials she’s received over years here. For her full profile, click here. Email her here.
