Sexology Workbook Question And Answers
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COUN 6361: Human Sexuality Sexological Workbook Important concepts, professional development, and resources for emerging counselors Walden University
Table of Contents Introduction 2 Part One 3 WEEK 1: History, Systems, and Professional Ethics 3 WEEK 2: Sexual Anatomy and Physiology 5 WEEK 3: Gender 7 WEEK 4: Affectional Orientation 8 WEEK 5: Children and Adolescence 10 WEEK 6: Positive Sexuality and Healthy Sexual Functioning 11 PART TWO 14 WEEK 7: Sexual Dysfunction and Health/Medical Factors 14 WEEK 8: Pleasure and Sexual Lifestyles 15 WEEK 9: Sexual Exploitation and Out-of-Control Sexual Behavior 16 WEEK 10: Other Issues Related to Sex and Sexuality 17 Appendix A: Sexological Assessment 19 INTRODUCTION 19 HEALTH 20 GENDER 24 AFFECTIONAL (SEXUAL) ORIENTATION 25 SEX HISTORY 26 HEALTHY SEXUAL FUNCTIONING 27 SEXUAL DYSFUNCTION 28 PLEASURE AND SEXUAL LIFESTYLES 28 SEXUAL EXPLOITATION 30 OTHER ISSUES RELATED TO SEX AND SEXUALITY 30 Appendix B: Sexological Professional Development List 33 Appendix C: Sexological Resource List 35
Introduction
Welcome to the Sexological Workbook! This is the workbook you will be using each week of the course to help assist your learning and growth. In each week, you will respond to three different sections: Journal, Professional Development, and the Resource List. Each of these aspects to the workbook are tied together.
You will submit the workbook for grading in two parts. On Day 7 of Week 6, you submit your workbook to the Instructor to grade Weeks 1–6. On Day 7 of Week 10, you will submit your workbook again to receive a grade for your responses for Weeks 7–10. You are advised to glance through the entire workbook to thoroughly understand the expectations before you begin.
The topics for the Sexological Workbook follow the weeks of the course and include the following:
Part 1 (Weeks 1–6):
Week 1: History, Systems, and Professional Ethics
Week 2: Sexual Anatomy and Physiology
Week 3: Gender Identity
Week 4: Affectional Orientation
Week 5: Children and Adolescents
Week 6: Positive Sexuality and Healthy Sexual Functioning
Part 2 (Weeks 7–10):
Week 7: Sexual Dysfunction and Health/Medical Factors
Week 8: Pleasure and Sexual Lifestyles
Week 9: Sexual Exploitation and Out-of-Control Sexual Behaviors
Week 10: Other Issues Related to Sex and Sexuality
Appendix A: Sexological Assessment
Appendix B: Sexological Professional Development List
Appendix C: Sexological Resources List
These topics are important concepts to understand as emerging counselors and are founded in the Proposed Human Sexuality Counseling Competencies (Zeglin, Van Dam, & Hergenrather, 2018). Human sexuality includes a vast array of topics. The Sexological Workbook brushes the surface of various human sexuality topics. As an emerging counselor, it is part of your work to become comfortable with these topics while also recognizing that this course does not certify you as a sex therapist. The Sexological Workbook will help you become more comfortable with topics related to human sexuality. You are asked to step outside of your comfort zone while also remaining safe. Please do not share anything you are not ready to share. If there are certain topics in the class that trigger you, you are encouraged to connect with a counselor.
PART TWO
Reflect on the “Sexual Dysfunction” section of the Sexological Assessment. Challenge yourself to answer one or more of the questions from the assessment for your own growth, self-awareness, and edification. Do not submit your answers in the Sexological Assessment. Instead, answer the questions below: 1. Describe your comfort level when considering the questions from the “Sexual Dysfunction” section. Would you feel comfortable answering these questions for yourself in a private, safe counseling session? Why or why not?
2. In your Discussion this week, you had to choose one of three case studies. Now, choose a different case study and respond to the following: Describe an intervention from the Learning Resources you would use with the client you chose. Justify why you chose this intervention by citing at least one resource.
Citation(s):
Go to Appendix B and provide three specific professional development activities to increase your competency, knowledge, and/or comfortability with sexual dysfunction and health/medical factors. If needed, review the criteria for the Professional Development List and Presentation here.
Go to Appendix C and provide at least three resources to which you could refer a client who is experiencing any sexual dysfunction or has a health/medical problem related to sex. For example, consider local medical providers such as local OBGYN, urologist, or local HIV center. If there are a lack of local resources, these resources can be the same as Week 2. The resources should be as local as possible for clients to access. If needed, there are more detailed instructions in Week 1 here.
Reflect on the “Pleasure and Sexual Lifestyles” section of the Sexological Assessment. Then respond to the following questions: 1. Have you considered these questions for yourself before?
Yes No Some of these questions
2. What is your emotional response when you consider these questions for yourself?
3. Describe your comfort level when you consider asking your clients these questions.
4. How might your comfort level be influenced by the similarities or differences between you and your clients, such as differences of your own pleasure and sexual lifestyle?
Go to Appendix B and provide three specific professional development activities to increase your competency, knowledge, and/or comfortability with pleasure and sexual lifestyles. If needed, review the criteria for the Professional Development List and Presentation here.
Go to Appendix C and provide at least three resources you could share with a client for pleasure and sexual lifestyles. If you do not have any local resources, these can be web based. You are encouraged to see if there are local centers for sex-positive culture, erotic festivals, or local munches. If needed, there are more detailed instructions under Week 1 here.
Reflect on the “Sexual Exploitation” section of the Sexological Assessment. Then respond to the following questions: 1. Describe your comfort level working with survivors of sexual exploitation, such as domestic violence and/or sexual assault (e.g., rape).
2. What is your comfort level when you consider asking your clients the questions under the “Sexual Exploitation” section of the assessment?
3. How might your comfort level be influenced by the similarities or differences between you and your clients, such as gender differences?
Go to Appendix B and provide three specific professional development activities to increase your competency, knowledge, and/or comfortability with sexual exploitation. If needed, review the criteria for the Professional Development List and Presentation here.
Go to Appendix C and provide at least three resources to which you could refer a client who has experienced sexual exploitation or has been involved as a perpetrator. For example, are there specialists in your area who identify as certified sex addiction therapists, or are there local domestic violence support groups? The resources should be as local as possible for clients to access. If needed, there are more detailed instructions under Week 1 here.
Reflect on the “Other Issues Related to Sex and Sexuality” section of the Sexological Assessment. Then respond to the following questions: 1. Choose to focus on either abortion or infertility for the journal. Describe your comfort level with discussing this topic with clients.
2. What is your comfort level when you consider asking your clients these questions?
3. Review the Comfort Scale you marked throughout the workbook. Looking back, share whether you feel your comfort level has changed throughout the quarter. How might your current comfort level impact your work with clients with issues related to sex and sexuality?
Go to Appendix B and provide three specific professional development activities to increase your competency, knowledge, and/or comfortability with abortion and infertility. If needed, review the criteria for the Professional Development List and Presentation here.
Go to Appendix C and provide at least three resources related to abortion to which you could refer a client. Examples could include where clients can receive an abortion or support groups for those considering abortions. Additionally, find at least three resources related to infertility services. The resources should be as local as possible for clients to access. If needed, there are more detailed instructions under Week 1 here.
This week, you will turn in a final resource list based on the various resources you have compiled throughout the quarter. You can copy and paste your resources from each week into the final resource list (see Appendix C for the template) to have a final resource list for you to use as a practicing counselor.
— SUBMIT PART TWO BY DAY 7 OF WEEK 10 —-
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Appendix A: Sexological Assessment
Walden Counseling Sexological Assessment
This assessment is a supplemental assessment to the general assessment. This assessment does not include important information needed when gathering client information. This assessment is to be completed across several sessions.
| Client Name: | Today’s Date: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Legal Name: | Primary Language: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cell Number:
Is it okay to leave a voicemail? □ No □ Yes |
House Number:
Is it okay to leave a voicemail? □ No □ Yes |
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| Date of Birth: | Age: | Personal Pronoun (e.g., she, he, ze, they): | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Self-Identified Gender: | Address:
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INTRODUCTION |
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| What brings you in to counseling at this time?
Symptoms What are your current symptoms in order of what you find most bothersome: 1. 2. 3.
How are your symptoms affecting your ability to function at home? At work? In the community?
In what ways did your culture, ethnicity, or family background influence your values, beliefs, and attitudes toward sex and sexuality? Consider whether religious or spiritual beliefs impacted your values, beliefs, and attitudes.
What were your family’s attitudes toward sex? How was affection shown in your family?
How is your general health? Any chronic illnesses? Injuries? Past surgeries?
Mental Health History Have you ever received a mental health diagnosis? □ No □ Yes If yes, please list diagnosis/es and date(s) first diagnosed:
Have you ever been hospitalized for mental health concerns? □ No □ Yes If yes, list date(s) and length of stay:
Have you ever or are you currently engaging in self-harm (such as cutting)? Currently: □ No □ Yes Past: □ No □ Yes If yes, what type of self-harm and how often?
Have you ever experienced (if yes, please explain):
Extreme depressed mood: □ No □ Yes Extreme mood swings: □ No □ Yes Rapid speech: □ No □ Yes Extreme anxiety: □ No □ Yes Panic attacks: □ No □ Yes Phobias: □ No □ Yes Hallucinations: □ No □ Yes Unexplained losses of time: □ No □ Yes Unexplained memory lapses: □ No □ Yes Eating disorder: □ No □ Yes Repetitive behaviors (e.g., frequent checking, hand washing): □ No □ Yes Homicidal thoughts: □ No □ Yes Suicidal thoughts: □ No □ Yes Developmental History Were there any complications with your birth? □ No □ Yes If so, please explain: Did you reach developmental milestones within normal limits when you were a child (e.g., walking, talking)? □ No □ Yes Were you hospitalized for any accidents, illnesses, or high fever when you were a child? □ No □ Yes If yes, explain: Medical History (Include medications) Please answer the following question using 5—Excellent, 4—Good, 3—Average, 2—Poor, 1—Failing How would you currently rate your physical health?
Do you now have, or have you had in the past, any of the following? Check all that apply:
Are you currently under the care of a medical doctor or other medical health professional: □ No □ Yes Name of Primary Care Physician: Physician Phone: ______________ Are you taking any prescription medications? □ No □ Yes If yes, please list:
List any over-the-counter medications, vitamins, or herbal supplements you are currently taking:
Do you currently exercise: □ No □ Yes If yes, please indicate what type and how many times per week:
Are you having any problems with your sleep habits? □ No □ Yes
If yes, check where applicable: □ Sleeping too little □ Sleeping too much □ Poor-quality sleep □ Disturbing dreams □ Other
Are you having any difficulty with appetite or eating habits? □ No □ Yes If yes, check where applicable: □ Eating less □ Eating more □ Binging □ Restricting Have you experienced significant weight change in the last 2 months? □ No □ Yes
History of Substance Use Please indicate substances currently used (over the past 6 months), how much at one time, how many times per day/week, age of first use, past use history, and length of time used.
Potential for Acute Intoxication, Withdrawal Problems, or Relapse Have you ever believed your substance use was a problem for you? □ No □ Yes Has anyone ever told you they believed your substance use was a problem? □ No □ Yes Have you ever had withdrawal symptoms when trying to stop using any substances? □ No □ Yes Have you ever had problems with work, relationships, health, or law due to your substance use? □ No □ Yes If yes, please describe:
Sexual Health How is your sexual health? People with vulvas: Any menstrual difficulties? Fibroids? Ovarian cysts? When was your last gynecological exam? Any abnormalities?
People with penises: Any discharge from penis during urination? Testicular cancer? When was your last prostate check? Any abnormalities?
How do you feel about your body? What do you like and not like about your body?
How do you feel about your genitals? Have you looked at your genitals before? (If you have a vulva, consider taking a mirror and looking between your legs in private.) How do you feel about touching your genitals? If applicable, how do you feel about touching and observing your partner’s/partners’ genitals?
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GENDER |
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At what age did you first become aware of your gender? ____
a. Did it coincide with your biological sex? How well did it conform to traditional gender expectations in society and/or your family?
b. How do you identify your gender identity?
c. Do you currently have any discomfort with your gender identity?
If applicable, when did you first become aware of your attraction to others?
Where are you on the following Scale of Desire and Affectional Orientation?
Consider your response to the Scale of Desire and Affectional Orientation. How would you describe the sexual desire you chose? For example, if you chose “E (Mid-Range Sexual Desire),” how would you describe this for yourself?
Do you currently have any discomfort with affectional (sexual) orientation?
Do you or did you ever hide your affectional (sexual) orientation? If so, from whom?
Family History (Include significant relationship history)
Were you adopted? □ No □ Yes If yes, your age at time of adoption:
With whom did you live until the age of 18? __________________________________________
Please list names, ages, and relationship (e.g., mother, father, daughter) of those in your self-described family. Additionally, use the final column to indicate whether you have/had a positive relationship (+), negative relationship (-), or neutral relationship (o) with the family member:
Are your parents currently married/in a partnership? □ No □ Yes Did your parents ever divorce? □ No □ Yes If yes, your age at time of divorce: Were you ever in foster care or residential care? □ No □ Yes If yes, please list age and living situation:
Where did you live until the age of 18? What is parent A’s current age? ___________ If deceased, your age at time of his/her death: ___________ What is parent B’s current age? ___________ If deceased, your age at time of his/her death: ___________ Other parent’s information here:
General Sex History What messages did you receive about topics related to sex and dating, such as masturbation or premarital sex, as a child?
At what age did you begin puberty? Was this earlier, later, or about the same time as your peers?
Did you have accurate information about what would happen in puberty? □ No □ Yes Did you have someone you felt comfortable asking questions about puberty? □ No □ Yes
If applicable, how do you or would you ideally raise children related to sex and sexuality? Any similarities or differences as to how you were raised?
If applicable, when did you first discover masturbation? Age: _______ · What was your reaction to this? · Were there ever any embarrassing issues related to masturbation? · Do you continue to masturbate? If so, how often? If not, why? · Is there currently anything about masturbation that concerns you?
If applicable, when did you first begin climaxing/orgasming? · What was your reaction to this? · Were there ever any embarrassing issues related to orgasm?
Do you currently have orgasms? If so, what percentage of the time? If not, what are the reasons why? · In what ways can you experience orgasm (e.g., stimulation, oral sex, penetrative)? · Are you able to have multiple orgasms? · Have you ever faked an orgasm? · Is there currently anything about having orgasms, or not having orgasms, that concerns you?
Are you currently in a relationship(s)? □ No □ Yes Name of person(s): ________________________ Length of time you have known each other:___________ Length of time together: ________ Do you currently live together? □ No □ Yes Number of significant relationships: _________ Number of divorces: _________
Have you ever been diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection/disease or HIV? If so, how old were you? From whom did you get it? What was your reaction to it?
Are you experiencing, or have you ever experienced, any of the following?
How often do you have sexual fantasies? a. Briefly describe your fantasies.
b. Are you comfortable with the content of your fantasies? □ No □ Yes
Have you or your partner(s) engaged in sexual fantasies? Describe.
Have you ever engaged in sexual behavior that you worried about or knew was illegal?
Mark where you are based on your amorous expression:
Have you ever had any negative or upsetting sexual experiences? □ No □ Yes How old were you? What effect has it had on you? What was the experience(s)?
Have you ever told anyone about this? If so, who? If not, why?
Trauma History Please indicate whether you or a member of your immediate family experienced any of the following. If a family member, please indicate relationship(s):
Pregnancy Have you ever been pregnant or gotten someone else pregnant? □ No □ Yes Was this planned on unplanned? What was/were the outcome(s) of the pregnancy?
If you ever had children, how did you they affect your sexuality?
Have you ever struggled with infertility? □ No □ Yes If yes, please share when.
Pornography At what age were you exposed to pornography if you have been exposed? _____
What was your reaction? How much, if any, do you currently use/view pornography? Do you have any concerns about the amount of time you spend watching pornography or any concerns about the content you view?
Strengths and Interests What are your strengths and interests?
Goals What are the goals you hope to achieve in counseling: 1.
2.
3.
Is there anything you would like to add that I have not asked and that you would like to include?
Client Signature: ___________________________ Date: ___________________ Thank you for your time! Please contact me with any questions. |
Appendix B: Sexological Professional Development List
| Week 2 | Sexual Anatomy and Physiology
1. The Panpsycast Podcast https://thepanpsycast.com/panpsycast Sexual Ethics Parts 1-4
2. (Book) What every mental health professional needs to know about sex. Stephanie Beuhler (2016) Springer 2nd Edition.
3. Al Vernacchio at TEDxYouth – Whats your sexual footprint.
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| Week 3 | Gender Identity
1. (Book) What every mental health professional needs to know about sex. Stephanie Beuhler (2016) Springer 2nd Edition.
2. The Gender Code (Gender & Sexuality Documentary) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zph7H-O0d5w
3. Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity – M. Paz Galupo, PhD (2020) https://www.apa.org/pubs/journals/sgd/
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| Week 4 | Affectional Orientation
1. (Book) What every mental health professional needs to know about sex. Stephanie Beuhler (2016) Springer 2nd Edition.
2. The Origins of Orientation: Sexuality in the 21st Century – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZsnPmuYp9c
3. When Clients Want Your Help to “Pray Away the Gay”: Implications for Couple and Family Therapists – Monique Walker (2012) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZsnPmuYp9c
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| Week 5 | Children and Adolescents
1. (Video) Understanding Gender Nonconformity…” by Dr. Robert Garofalo – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcJYq9U3v74
2. (Video) Gender Dysphoria in Children: Understanding the Science and Medicine – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOniPhuyXeY
3. (Video) Childhood and Adolescent Sexual Development – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZE0FXt7ODls
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| Week 6 | Positive Sexuality and Healthy Sexual Functioning
1. (Journal) Sexual Health and Positive Subjective Well-Being in Partnered Older Men and Women – Lee, D. M., Vanhoutte, B., Nazroo, J., & Pendleton, N. (2016). Sexual Health and Positive Subjective Well-Being in Partnered Older Men and Women. The journals of gerontology. Series B, Psychological sciences and social sciences, 71(4), 698–710. https://doi.org/10.1093/geronb/gbw018
2. Journal of Positive Sexuality – Contributions to Positive Sexuality from the Zen Peacemakers, E. Piskin (2020) Volume 6, Issue 1.
3. Sexual Health in Post-Menopausal Women – Panel Discussion – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3gUi6d0a-A
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| Week 7 | Sexual Dysfunction and Health/Medical Factors
1.
2.
3.
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| Week 8 | Pleasure and Sexual Lifestyles
1.
2.
3.
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| Week 9 | Sexual Exploitation and Out-of-Control Sexual Behaviors
1.
2.
3.
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| Week 10 | Other Issues Related to Sex and Sexuality
Abortion Resources 1.
2.
3.
Infertility Resources 1.
2.
3.
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Appendix C: Sexological Resource List
| Week 2 | Sexual Anatomy and Physiology
1. Planned Parenthood
2.
3.
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| Week 3 | Gender Identity
1. Compass Community Center
2. Meetup.com – Support Groups
3. Psychology Today – Therapist and Counselors
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| Week 4 | Affectional Orientation
1.
2.
3.
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| Week 5 | Children and Adolescents
1.
2.
3.
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| Week 6 | Positive Sexuality and Healthy Sexual Functioning
1.
2.
3.
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| Week 7 | Sexual Dysfunction and Health/Medical Factors
1.
2.
3.
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| Week 8 | Pleasure and Sexual Lifestyles
1.
2.
3.
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| Week 9 | Sexual Exploitation and Out-of-Control Sexual Behaviors
1.
2.
3.
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| Week 10 | Other Issues Related to Sex and Sexuality
Abortion Resources 1.
2.
3.
Infertility Resources 1.
2.
3.
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References
Zeglin, R. J., Van Dam, D., & Hergenrather, K. C. (2018). An introduction to proposed human sexuality counseling competencies. International Journal for the Advancement of Counselling, 40(2), 105–121. https://search-ebscohost-com.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=eric&AN=EJ1177361&site=eds-live&scope=site
