Certified Alternative Relationship Counselor
IBOSP Certified Alternative Relationship Counselors are professionals in areas including medicine, healthcare, mental health, education, coaching, and consulting who work with clients to address issues related to relationships and sex. Certified Alternative Relationship Counselors will have comprehensive training in alternative relationships, and provide permission, limited information, and specific suggestions to resolve questions, concerns, and issues clients have related to nontraditional relationship models.
Who seeks Certified Alternative Relationship Counselor?
Professionals in areas including medicine, healthcare, mental health, education, coaching, and consulting who work with clients to address issues related to relationships and sex. Alternative Relationship Counselors Certification applicants apply theory and methods to the treatment and prevention of psychosocial and relational distress and/or dysfunction. Coursework consists of consensual nonmonogamy, polyamory, kink/BDSM, as well as subcultures including furries, sex workers and those who practice power dynamics.
Why Apply for the Certified Alternative Relationship Counselor?
Certification as an Alternative Relationship Counselor provides assurance to the public that you have obtained advance training in the field and have the endorsement of an international certifying body, and allows counselors to feel comfortable working with any nonnormative sexual or relational practice their clients may present with.
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What are the basic eligibility requirements?
- A current IBOSP membership in good standing
- A minimum of a college degree
- Documentation of fifty (50) hours of alternative relationship training including topics such as foundations, ego-dystonic sexual expression, integrating kink and harm reduction, and clinical issues regarding the negotiation of consent.
- Have two satisfactory colleague references completed by a licensed (or comparable) mental health or medical professional.
- Adherence to the IBOSP Code of Ethics.