The sexologist: characteristics, training and myths

The sexologist is an unknown figure, being, in parallel, surrounded by a certain mystery. At the outset, before saying who and what this professional figure is like, it would be good to describe the discipline itself: Sexology is the science that studies the sexes: their identities, mixtures, differences and interactions, both intimate and public.. That is to say, it does not study sex, in the singular, but the sexes, in the plural, since there are two, with all the diversity that this entails: there are infinite ways of living and feeling as a man and as a woman.

In this case we are referring to a scientific discipline that is approximately one hundred years old. That is to say, It is not as established or standardized as other disciplines that, in some way, are present in our lives.

It is precisely the youth of this science that fuels uncertainty, ignorance and, along the way, some prejudices… And the fact is that, when a discipline does not have much experience, it needs time to settle, become institutionalized, enjoy a certain approval and social consideration. Besides, This science bears the popular belief of being the sole and exclusive responsible for “bed problems.”when it deals with many more situations.

Its youth and the topic it deals with make it peculiar. So much so that Sexologists are professionals about whom there is still a certain lack of knowledge. What exactly they do or what they have studied are just two of the most frequently asked questions, the answers to which are unknown to a large part of society.

What characterizes a sexologist?

Interventions in sexology can be grouped into four large groups: education, counseling, therapy and research. These four areas, different and diverse, provide a more than noticeable diversity in professional profiles, making it difficult to delimit a specific professional profile.

However, there are certain traits or characteristics that a sexologist should have or that, at least, would help the development of their profession:

Social skills. In practically all areas, the sexologist will have to deal directly with individual or couple difficulties, and this requires a certain delicacy in treatment, in words, forms and, ultimately, the type of communication. Achieving the balance between being close without losing professionalism and being professional without losing closeness is a difficult task that requires practice.Curiosity. Whether by sometimes addressing topics that are difficult to address in other areas, or simply because the study of the sexes offers a lot of diversity, the sexologist is in continuous learning. Thus, it is difficult for a person who has chosen this profession not to be curious to know and gain knowledge of it.Mental opening. The sexologist must not only be willing to learn every day, but must also be willing to be open-minded enough to receive information from many sources and not discard or assume it before processing it. In other words, the sexologist, due to continuous and rapid evolution, has to integrate constant updates.

What training does a sexologist have?

We already know what a sexologist does, what characteristics are recommended for the exercise of their profession, but perhaps we do not know exactly what academic training a sexologist has received. It is important to highlight that, Depending on the country we are in, Sexology, in general terms, is more or less developed. This means that those countries in which the discipline has advanced have granted it an academic and labor entity.

In the case of Spain, a sexologist is a professional who has a university degree (diploma, bachelor’s or degree) and who also has a master’s degree in Sexology. Contrary to what many people may think, A sexologist does not have to be a doctor or a psychologist who has specialized in Sexology; On the other hand, the truth is that training in the first branches is recommended.

In fact, in our country we have great professionals who have trained in Sexology after having studied careers such as sociology, journalism, physiotherapy, philosophy, social work or anthropology. This discipline is so broad that the diversity of academic profiles guarantees that work is done from practically all perspectives.

What myths revolve around the sexologist?

We list them below:

Sexologists only intervene in the face of difficulties in erotica.

Indeed, Sexologists treat these types of difficulties in erotic relationships, but they are not the only ones. Since, in addition to working on this type of difficulties, there is a considerable variety of situations that can be treated by a sexologist, such as relationships and infidelities.

“If you are a sexologist, you have to be very good in bed”

This myth may seem nice and even funny, but the truth is that Despite being a widespread myth, it can cause difficulties and create unrealistic expectations. about how a sexologist operates in his most intimate sphere.

“Being good in bed” is an expression that is rejected by Sexology, because It is not understood that there is a “correct way” to have relationships, But there are many ways, and we have to choose the one that brings us the most pleasure and satisfies us the most.

We teach how to put condoms in schools

More than a myth, this is an image that has been built over time regarding the intervention that our union carries out in primary and secondary education centers. It is important to talk about sexual health; knowing how to put on a condom, knowing what type of contraceptive methods exist and what sexually transmitted infections, but even more so is knowing if, when adolescents decide to have sex, it is because they really feel like it and not because they give in to pressure.

Also It is important to teach how to manage intimacy in a couple, so that boys and girls learn that you cannot invade the privacy of your boyfriend or girlfriend with the intention of controlling them. And this is just one example of intervention carried out in classrooms by sexologists.

An exercise in the visibility of Sexology as a profession is necessary to end the stigmas and myths that tarnish it.. At the end of the day, the main beneficiaries of this exercise will be the users who need any type of sexological assistance.

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