Resources for Counselors

Sexual health and wellness vary from individual to individual. Below you will find a comprehensive collection of resources that address a variety of sexual health topics. These resources are designed to help mental health professionals navigate sexual health conversations with their clients. Educators, training mental health professionals, and students might also benefit from this resource page.

Lifespan Resources

Adolescent Sexual Health

Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine

A comprehensive, evidence-based collection of online resources focused on adolescent and young adult sexual and reproductive health, designed for clinicians, educators, parents, and youth-serving professionals. The site emphasizes developmentally appropriate, inclusive, and medically accurate information.

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Young Women's Health

A clinician-developed and reviewed website offering medically accurate information on sexual health, puberty, relationships, and emotional well-being for adolescent and young adult women.

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Young Men's Health

A health education site providing accessible, clinician-reviewed information on physical, sexual, and mental health for adolescent and young adult men, including relationships, consent, and reproductive health.

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Hidden Brain – Hookup Culture (NPR)

This in-depth podcast episode explores the unspoken social rules of hookup culture on college campuses and how they influence sexual behavior, emotional well-being, and expectations around intimacy among young adults.

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The Thoughtful Counselor – Ep 55: Unhushed

Talking to kids and teens about sex with Dr. Karen Rayne.

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Adult Sexual Health

Planned Parenthood – Sexual Health Information

A trusted public health resource offering medically accurate, sex-positive education on sexuality, pleasure, contraception, consent, and relationships across the lifespan. Content is accessible, inclusive, and grounded in evidence-based care.

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Dr. Celeste Holbrook's Website

Expert insights and resources on sexual health and wellness.

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Prosayla – Female Sexual Health Education

A medically reviewed education platform focused on female sexual function, desire, arousal, pain, and pleasure, developed in collaboration with clinicians and researchers in women's sexual health.

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Bedsider – Birth Control Support

A research-based contraceptive education platform designed to help women and people with ovaries explore birth control options, access care, and make informed choices.

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Our Bodies Ourselves Today

An inclusive feminist health collective providing accessible, evidence-based information on women's bodies, sexuality, reproductive health, aging, and relationships.

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Love Matters

A global sexual health education platform offering nonjudgmental resources on relationships, sexual rights, pleasure, and consent, with culturally responsive content for women worldwide.

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Options for Sexual Health

A feminist, rights-based organization offering sexual health education, care navigation, and advocacy focused on bodily autonomy and inclusive reproductive care.

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OMGYes

A research-informed educational platform focused on women's sexual pleasure, communication, and sexual agency through evidence-based exploration of arousal and desire.

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The Thoughtful Counselor – Ep 77: Sexual Wellness After Pregnancy/Childbirth

Sex educator Sarah J. Swofford discusses how pregnancy, childbirth, and the transition to parenting can impact new parents' sexual wellness, covering common physical, emotional, and relational challenges.

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Sex & Psychology: What We Get Wrong About Men & Sex

Dr. Justin Lehmiller explores the psychology of sex and relationships, debunking myths about men's bodies and sexuality, revealing that men often struggle with body image and performance anxiety, challenging stereotypes of male sexual confidence.

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Urology Care Foundation

The official foundation of the American Urological Association (AUA), focused on improving urologic health by funding research, developing patient education, raising public awareness, and supporting humanitarian efforts in urology.

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American Sexual Health Association

A non-profit organization founded in 1914, dedicated to stopping sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and improving overall sexual health through public education, patient support, and advocacy for sound policies.

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Older Adults

Safer Sex 4 Seniors

An educational resource dedicated to promoting sexual wellness and STI prevention among older adults, challenging ageist assumptions about sexuality later in life. Materials emphasize communication, risk awareness, and sexual agency.

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Age Is Not a Condom

A public education campaign that raises awareness about STI risk and sexual health needs among midlife and older adults. The initiative promotes prevention, testing, and open conversations about sex and aging.

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1A: Dating While Gray

A podcast by Laura Stassi exploring love, sex, and relationships for people over 50, especially after long marriages end (a "gray divorce"). The show offers advice, shares real stories from older singles, and tackles topics like online dating, intimacy, blended families, and commitment styles.

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NPR: New Sexual Life After Menopause

Features author Darcey Steinke's book, Flash Count Diary, focusing on reframing postmenopausal intimacy as an opportunity for deeper connection, moving beyond traditional intercourse to explore greater emotional and physical closeness through communication, lubrication, cuddling, and play.

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National Institute on Aging

The primary U.S. federal agency for research on aging, part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), dedicated to understanding the aging process and improving older adults' health and well-being.

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American Society on Aging

A leading, multidisciplinary organization that unites professionals, advocates, and leaders to improve aging for older adults, focusing on equity, anti-ageism, education, and systemic change.

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Transgender & Gender-Diverse Resources

World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH)

The leading international organization establishing evidence-based Standards of Care for transgender and gender-diverse people, widely used by clinicians and healthcare systems.

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Fenway Health – Transgender Health Resources

A comprehensive health and community resource hub offering guidance on medical care, wellness, and social supports for transgender and gender-diverse individuals.

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Trans Lifeline

A peer-run crisis and support line providing emotional support, safety planning, and community care services exclusively for trans and gender-diverse people.

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LGBTQ+ Healthcare Directory

A free, searchable database to help transgender and gender-diverse individuals find affirming medical and mental health providers.

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GLMA: Health Professionals Advancing LGBTQ Equality

A professional organization offering clinical resources, provider education, and patient guides to support affirming healthcare for transgender people.

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Trans Health Project

An educational initiative that helps transgender individuals understand health insurance, access care, and navigate coverage for gender-affirming services.

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The Trevor Project – Trans & Nonbinary Resources

Provides crisis intervention, mental health support, and educational resources for transgender and nonbinary youth.

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UCSF Transgender Health Resources

A collection of research-informed and clinical resources addressing transgender sexual health, HIV prevention, and affirming care practices.

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Trans Bodies, Trans Selves (Book)

A community-written, comprehensive reference covering health, sexuality, relationships, and legal issues affecting transgender and gender-diverse people.

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GLAAD – Transgender Resources

A curated directory of advocacy, legal, media, and educational resources supporting transgender visibility, rights, and well-being.

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Relationships

Gottman Institute

Research-based resources on relationships and communication.

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The Art & Science of Lovemaking

Gottman Institute's program on sexual intimacy and connection.

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Gott Sex?

Resources and guidance on sexual intimacy in relationships.

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Love is Respect

Education and support for healthy relationships, consent, and boundaries.

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Relate (UK)

UK-based relationship support and counseling resources.

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Live About: Love & Romance

Articles and resources on love, dating, and relationships.

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Body Image

Be Real Campaign (UK)

UK-based campaign promoting positive body image and challenging unrealistic beauty standards.

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General Sexual Health Resources

NPR: Why is it so hard to have honest conversations about sex?

Exploring the cultural and psychological barriers to open sexual communication.

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Sluts and Scholars: Respark Your Sex Life with Heather McPherson

Introduction to sex therapy and reigniting sexual wellness in relationships.

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The Thoughtful Counselor – Ep 198: Integrating Sex-Positivity into Clinical Practice

A conversation with Dean Khambatta on bringing sex-positive approaches into counseling.

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The Thoughtful Counselor – Ep 157: Getting Involved in Sexual Health Advocacy

A conversation with Dr. Robert Zeglin about advocacy in sexual health.

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The Thoughtful Counselor – Ep 86: Religion, Shame, & Sexual Wellness

A conversation with Dr. Tina Schermer Sellers exploring the intersection of religion, shame, and sexual health.

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The Thoughtful Counselor – Ep 9: Let's Talk About Sex

Sexual health, wellness & cultural humility with Megan Speciale.

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Sex Addiction Approaches

Sex Help

Assessment tools and resources for understanding sex addiction.

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Online Sex Addiction Tests

Dr. Patrick Carnes' assessment tools for sex addiction.

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Sex Addicts Anonymous

12-step recovery program for sex addiction.

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Sexaholics Anonymous

Fellowship and support for sexual recovery.

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Sexual Compulsives Anonymous

Support group for those struggling with sexual compulsivity.

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Sexual Recovery Anonymous

12-step fellowship for sexual addiction recovery.

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Treatment for Minor Attracted Persons

Psychology Today: Sympathy for the Deviant

Article exploring treatment approaches and understanding.

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Dunkelfeld Project

Prevention program for individuals with sexual interest in children.

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Troubled Desire

Online self-management program for pedophilia.

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Sex Work

Pineapple Support

Mental health support services for adult industry performers and professionals.

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