Class Traineeship

The Internship in Psychology of Sexuality course, integrated in the second year of the specialization, constitutes the practical and professional component of the study cycle. Its field of action focuses on psychological assessment and intervention within the domain of human sexuality, in clinical, hospital, or community settings. It encompasses areas such as sexual dysfunctions, relational difficulties, sexual identity and orientation, sexual health, sexual trauma, and the psychological impact of medical conditions affecting sexuality. The course provides supervised experience in real-world professional contexts, aiming to develop technical, ethical, and reflective competencies. Within the study cycle, it ensures the applied integration of previously acquired theoretical and methodological knowledge, reinforcing evidence-based practice and the articulation between scientific knowledge and clinical intervention.

Not applicable

Course Contents Integration into the Internship Setting Institutional framework Regulations, ethics, and confidentiality Psychological Assessment in Sexuality Clinical interviewing Specific assessment instruments Biopsychosocial case formulation Psychological Intervention in the Psychology of Sexuality Planning individual and/or couple interventions Evidence-based interventions Psychoeducation and sexual counseling Specific Domains of Intervention Sexual dysfunctions Relational difficulties Sexual identity and orientation Sexual trauma Psychological impact of medical conditions on sexuality Multidisciplinary Work and Institutional Collaboration Referral processes Interprofessional collaboration Clinical Supervision and Professional Development Case discussions Ethical reflection Critical analysis of professional practice

The course integrates methodologies grounded in experiential and reflective learning, fostering the articulation between scientific knowledge and professional practice. The following approaches are emphasized: Structured clinical supervision, including systematic case discussions and ongoing formative feedback; Case-based learning, promoting critical analysis and evidence-informed decision-making; Guided reflective practice, through clinical records and self-evaluation reports; Integration of scientific evidence into practice, with targeted literature review applied to supervised cases; Collaboration with multidisciplinary teams, encouraging interprofessional learning; Use of digital platforms to support supervision and the sharing of scientific resources, when applicable. These methodologies promote autonomy, critical thinking, advanced clinical competencies, and continuous professional development.

American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed., text rev.; DSM-5-TR). American Psychiatric Publishing. Brotto, L. A. (2022). Better sex through mindfulness: How women can cultivate desire. Greystone Books. Leiblum, S. R., & Rosen, R. C. (Eds.). (2023). Principles and practice of sex therapy (6th ed.). Guilford Press. McCarthy, B., & Farr, E. (2020). Sex made simple: Clinical strategies for sexual issues in therapy. Routledge. Perelman, M. A., & Rowland, D. L. (2021). Retarded ejaculation. In L. A. Brotto (Ed.), Handbook of sexual dysfunctions. Springer. World Health Organization. (2015). Sexual health, human rights and the law. WHO Press. World Health Organization. (2010). Developing sexual health programmes: A framework for action. WHO Press.