FAQ

The Answers You’re Looking For

  • The Institute for Sex & Occupational Therapy (ISOT) is dedicated to integrating sexuality and intimacy into occupational therapy practice. Our hallmark is the Certified Sexuality OT (CSOT) certification, designed to enhance OT professional skills and knowledge in this specialized area so that you can address sex with your patients.

  • Our Mission at the Institute for Sex & Occupational Therapy is to dismantle restrictive norms related to sexuality and intimacy that limit our clients and limit ourselves, both as clinicians and sexual beings.

    Through international professional education and community, we strive to grow the field of occupational therapy to position sexuality interventions as widespread and mainstream in OT service delivery.

  • We offer limited scholarships, available upon request, for individuals identifying in minoritized groups such as BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and people with disabilities. We also offer scholarships to OT students and veterans. Please contact us for current opportunities.

  • Yes, The Institute for Sex, Intimacy & Occupational Therapy is an AOTA Approved Provider of professional development.

  • We are continually learning and implementing the practice of allyship to help support DEI efforts within OT, reduce health disparities, and stay true to my mission to dismantle restrictive norms related to sexuality.

    Here are just a few of my practices that are specific to the Sex-Savvy OT.

    • 10% of sales from the LGBTQIA+ course is gifted to The Network for LGBTQIA+ Concerns in Occupational Therapy to cover operational costs and scholarship funds. We know OTs identifying with marginalized identities often experience exacerbated financial burden.

    • We offer scholarships for our courses.

    • Additionally, by making the CEU course "Guided Self-Reflection of Sexuality Values, Beliefs, Attitudes, and Bias" a requirement, we are dedicated to ensuring OTs with the Certified Sexuality OT certification have had the opportunity to consider how their biases impact the services they provide and how to reduce harm to their clients, especially clients who are from minoritized groups that are at a greater risk of receiving poor or harmful care in the healthcare system.

  • Dr. Ellis offers 1:1 mentorships and consultations for any practitioner who is looking for a more personalized experience. Contact her for availability.

  • Yes! The Institute seeks to be an economic ecosystem which supports the amazing work sexuality OT educators are doing. We always love hearing from other OT practitioners who are looking to share their sex and intimacy knowledge with a wider audience. Please contact us here.

  • If you’re looking for more support before you start addressing sex + intimacy with your clients, we offer CEU courses and individual consulting. An easy way to get started with us is by joining our free members group and taking the free CEU course.

  • We have a variety of courses that are aimed at both beginners and advanced practitioners. For our current course listings, click here.

  • Please contact Kathryn with special needs or learning requests prior to purchasing.

  • All sales are final. Please enroll in the certification mindfully.

Graduate Community FAQs

  • The Graduate Community is exclusive to CSOTs and includes in person and virtual networking and idea sharing opportunities, a listing on the CSOT Directory, and the Graduate Community Lecture Series. These webinars happen 8 times a year, featuring talks led by leaders and experts in OT, sexuality, and intimacy.

  • The Lecture Series are webinars that happen 8 times a year, featuring talks led by leaders and experts in OT, sexuality, and intimacy. These sessions provide advanced education, practical strategies, and a supportive community to help CSOTs stay at the forefront of sexuality and occupational therapy.

  • The Graduate Community Lectures are available to attend by any person that enrolls into CSOT / renews their certification each July.

  • The Lecture Series cover inclusive sexual practices, desire and arousal as occupations, ethical consent, sexual equity for disabled youth, program development, gender-affirming care, post-spinal cord injury intimacy, and the role of pornography in occupational therapy.

  • Once you are enrolled in the Certified Sexuality OT or renew your credentials you will receive information on how to register for upcoming webinars. Registration details are typically sent via email and available on on your member portal.

  • NO! Immediate access to the Graduate Community is a perk included in your initial CSOT enrollment and ongoing CSOT renewal each July.

  • At this time, the Graduate Community Lectures are not offered for CEUs and attendance is not required for the annual July renewal. CEU approval for the webinars and continuing education requirements for CSOT renewal will likely occur in 2027

  • Yes, recordings of webinars are available for the Graduate Community to view. This allows you to catch up on any lecture you may have missed or revisit topics for further learning. Some lectures are available for 7 days only, while some are available evergreen.

CSOT Certification FAQs

  • The Certified Sexuality OT Certification is specifically tailored to occupational therapy professionals, focusing on the application of OT principles to enhance health and quality of life. This certification bridges the gap for clinicians who want to integrate sexuality into their OT practice but need support, guidance, and training. The CSOT helps OTs grow in place, develop advanced practice, or specialize.

  • Yes, we love having OT/OTA students enroll in the CSOT. About 30% of enrollees are students, which speaks to the lack of sufficient sexuality curriculum in OT/OTA programs. Here at ISOT, we’re thrilled to fill that gap for students.

  • The CSOT certification is a comprehensive program designed to equip OT practitioners, students, and professors with the knowledge and skills needed to address sexual health and intimacy issues in their practice. It includes training modules, mock interviews, practical assessments, and ongoing education opportunities.

  • Licensed OT clinicians, OT professors, and OT students are eligible to enroll in the CSOT certification program. The program is designed for both new and experienced practitioners, as well as students who want to enhance their skills and knowledge in sexual health.

  • Preferential Hiring: Our CSOT graduates are stepping into the workforce with a distinctive edge, experiencing preferential hiring across various healthcare settings. This reflects the high value placed on their specialized training in sexual health.

    Patient Satisfaction: Patients are vocal in their appreciation for the nuanced care provided by CSOT-trained professionals. This feedback underscores the vital role of sexual health integration in enhancing patient care and satisfaction.

    Leadership Approval: Health care leaders are increasingly recognizing and supporting CSOT programs, demonstrating the essential need and institutional acknowledgment of these specialized skills within clinical settings.

  • Enroll in our CSOT program, complete the required courses, and renew your certification every July. Once enrolled, you’ll have direct access to the Graduate Community.

    • 6 Continuing Education Hours

    • Enhanced comfort and competency addressing sexual health in your practice.

    • Immediate access to the Graduate Community which includes exclusive workshops and webinars through The Graduate Sessions.

    • Listing in the CSOT professional directory *once you complete the CSOT.

    • Networking and idea sharing with an international community of trailblazing OT professionals!

  • Renewal is $119 and takes place every July. Renewal maintains your access to The Graduate Community year after year.

  • The enrollment fee for the Certified Sexuality OT (CSOT) certification is $449, which includes 5 CEU courses, 6.0 CEU contact hours, mock interviews, and immediate access to the Graduate Community.

  • Renewal is $119 and required every July. This ensures you stay up-to-date with the latest advancements in sexual health and intimacy within occupational therapy and maintain access to all the benefits of being a Certified Sexuality OT and the Graduate Community.

  • Whether you're a seasoned OT, a current student, or an OT professor, becoming a CSOT offers specialized education, enhanced patient care, and distinguishes you in the field by confidently addressing sexual health and intimacy issues for all.

  • The CSOT Directory is a database of Certified Sexuality Occupational Therapy professionals. It allows clients, healthcare providers, and fellow OTs to find certified professionals who specialize in addressing sexual health and intimacy within occupational therapy.

    To be listed in the CSOT Directory, you must complete the Certified Sexuality OT (CSOT) certification and maintain your credential through renewal every July.

  • The certification process typically takes 1 month, depending on your pace through the courses and your availability for the 1 live synchronous course.

    There are 5 courses in total. 4 of which are self-paced and some people complete these 4 in a half day.

    The Guided Self-Reflection of Sexuality Values, Beliefs, Attitudes, ad Bias course is offered monthly are varying times to accommodate different time zones. Meaning, if you live in India, you won’t need to attend this course in the middle of the night!

Have more questions?

If you didn't find the answer you were looking for, don't worry! Ask us right here, and our founder, Dr. Kathryn Ellis, will get back to you as soon as she can.