2024

Professional Education and Training

This education and training helps professionals become more aware, ethically informed, and able to treat the psychological abuse and trauma associated with infidelity and compulsive sexual behavior disorder.

Program Information

Becoming a Deceptive Sexuality and Trauma Therapist, DSTT.

Treatment for infidelity, compulsive sexual behavior, or sex addiction do not adequately address the psychological abuse disorder or the related trauma. However, patients are increasingly seeking professionals who possess specialized training in how to assess, diagnose, and treat not just the sexual behavior problems, but also the abuse and trauma associated with these disorders. This program offers professionals specialized training to better meet this patient demand and need, and to help professionals increase their clinical and ethical competencies in treating patients impacted by infidelity and problematic sexual behaviors. Join this rapidly growing conscious community of DSTT-aware professionals!

The Institute for Sexual Health (ISH) is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The Institute for Sexual Health maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

Licensed Psychologists, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT), Licensed Social Workers (LSW), Psychiatrists, Medical Doctors (MD), Registered Nurses, Licensed Mental Health Practitioners, or approved Pre-Licensed-Supervisee-Psychology-Interns.

Clarification on Professional Eligibility and Suitability of Candidates for the DSTT Education and Training Program 2024

Deceptive Sexuality and Trauma Treatment (DSTT) is a psychological treatment model that addresses the abuse and the trauma associated with infidelity and problematic or compulsive sexual behaviors. The specified abuse and trauma disorders are mental health disorders and listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, 2013. For this reason, unlicensed professionals (including coaches1) who are not educated, trained, and licensed to legally provide psychological treatment for mental health disorders, would not be suitable candidates for learning how to treat patients presenting with this type of abuse or trauma.

Level 1 Unlicensed Professional Track
Level 1 provides a foundational expansion in understanding infidelity and problem sexuality. It offers a consciousness-raising process designed to enhance professional knowledge, help increase awareness, and illuminate, primarily to help people see and understand how abuse and trauma relates to infidelity and compulsive sexuality. Level 1 may be suitable for specific unlicensed professionals such as clergy or religious professionals, medical doctors, domestic abuse advocates, unlicensed sexologists, academic researchers who study infidelity, and others, who may work with people presenting with abuse and trauma related to infidelity and compulsive/problematic sexual behaviors. Unlicensed professionals would simply need to be informed and recognize that possessing education and training of a psychotherapist does not authorize one to engage in work as a psychotherapist. Completing Level 1 therefore, does not mean a license to provide psychological treatment.

1 For additional information on the differences between Psychotherapy versus Coaching: https://www.camft.org/Resources/Legal-Articles/Chronological-Article-List/coaching-vs-therapy

This education and training is Advanced.

Advanced – CE program content at an advanced level builds upon established experience, knowledge and skills in the content area. This may include more diverse applications to specific populations or a novel application of the skill presented. Advanced level programming allows learners to refine their knowledge and skills in a content area and learn to effectively utilize them across challenging contexts. The content and instructional flow is consistent with the needs or a learner who has knowledge, experience, and skills in the content area. Advanced level programming tends to be more specialized in nature and allows the learner to integrate and enhance knowledge and skills into their practice or other professional domains.

Level 1

$1500

Early Bird

$1800

Full Fee

Level 2

$1500

Early Bird

$1800

Full Fee

Level 3

$500

Early Bird

$800

Full Fee

Certification

$500

Full Fee

Level 1

Module 1

Apr 12-14, 2024

Module 2

May 3-5, 2024

Level 2

Module 3

Aug 24-25, 2024

Module 4

Sept 21-22, 2024

Module 5

Oct 5-6, 2024

Level 3

Module 6

Oct 25-27, 2024

Professionals earn CE Hours per Module:

  • Each Module has an online multiple-choice post-test to be completed to receive credit for the Module and to receive CE.
  • Participants must pass the post-test with a passing score of 75% correct or higher.
  • Participants are permitted up to three attempts to pass the post-test.
  • Upon completion of attending the live-hours per Module & the post-test, a Certificate of Completion of that Module & the CE hours Certificate will be provided.
  • Professional receive CE provided by the American Psychological Association (APA) per Module.

Professionals earn a Certificate of Completion for each Level Completed:

  • Each Level of Education and Training completed, meaning all the Modules or requirements for that Level have been completed, then the professional will earn a Certificate of Completion for that Level offered by The Institute for Sexual Health (ISH).

Deceptive Sexuality and Trauma Treatment (DSTT)
Indicates that the professional is a licensed mental health provider and has completed all 3 levels of professional education including supervision.

Deceptive Sexuality and Trauma Professional (DSTP)
Discontinued:
Only Level 1 is being offered in 2024.
This is the designation for non-licensed mental health professionals who have completed all 3 levels of professional education including supervision.

Deceptive Sexuality and Trauma Educated (DSTE)
Professionals who successfully completed all three Levels of Education and Training, will receive a designation of DSTE, Deceptive Sexuality and Trauma Educated.

DSTT Certification: 24 Hours of Practice and Supervision
Professionals who want to be credentialed, must complete the final step of accruing 24 supervision and professional practice hours, and will have various options for attaining these hours. Options may change and evolve over time, however, professionals will have the opportunity to form and engage with their specific cohort, for:

  • Group supervision can commence at the start of Level 2 and continue throughout the training, and all these hours will count towards certification supervision hours.
  • Independently or as a group watch recorded lectures (6 hours).
  • Candidates who successfully complete all curriculum and professional hours for credentialing must complete the final credentialing form in order to receive their final Certification and Designation of DSTT, Deceptive Sexuality and Trauma Therapist.

Renewal Every 2 years:
5 Hours of DSTT or IVTT Continuing Education or Practice and Supervision Hours offered by The Institute for Sexual Health (ISH), Faculty, and/or Dr. Minwalla.

Please note the following information related to missed sessions:

  1. To obtain Continuing Education (CE) credits, attendance at the live sessions is mandatory. In the event that any Module lecture must be missed, it is imperative to notify the administrator and secure approval.
  2. If an absence is necessitated and approval is obtained for a module, the participant will have the opportunity to review the recorded course on the Learning Management System (LMS). However, it is essential to note that even in such cases, the posttest must be taken. Regardless of CE credit eligibility from the American Psychological Association (APA), all individuals, licensed or not, must complete the posttests.
  3. Successful completion of Level 1 requires passing all 4 posttests with a 75% score, which is applicable to unlicensed professionals as well.
  4. In the case of missed sessions, individuals are obligated to review the recording and complete the posttest. While credit from the APA may not be attainable in such instances, credit will still be granted by ISH.
  5. The deadline for the posttest is set up until the day preceding the commencement of the next module. If an extension is necessary, please inform us promptly. It is strongly recommended to complete the posttest before the upcoming module to keep the education in order.

Cancellations up to the beginning of the course will be refunded a full amount, and then once in attendance, any withdrawal or cancellation will be provided a partial or full refund. If you need to cancel, please contact DSTT Program Administrator Erm Lombardi at [email protected].

Student Discount

If you are a clinical grad student or currently unlicensed but under the supervision of a licensed professional, you are considered a candidate to receive a 50% discount for the entire Levels 1-4.

Group Discount

If you have a group of 4 or more clinicians/professionals who practice in a treatment center or healthcare facility, you may qualify for a group discount.

Level 4 Applications Open May 5, 2024?

Only professionals who have successfully completed Level 1 and Level 2 can apply for Level 3.??

Level 1 Application and Registration Open Now

  • Level 1 Application and Registration Ends: April 7, 2024.
  • To Avail Early Bird Discount for Level 1, Please register before: February 28, 2024.

Level 3 Applications Open Oct 6, 2024

Only professionals who have successfully completed Level 1 and Level 2 can apply for Level 3.

Level 1 Application and Registration Open Now

  • Level 1 Application and Registration Ends: April 7, 2024.
  • To Avail Early Bird Discount for Level 1, Please register before: February 28, 2024.

Level 2 Applications Open May 5, 2024

Only professionals who have successfully completed level 1 can apply for Level 2.

Level 1 Application and Registration Open Now

  • Level 1 Application and Registration Ends: April 7, 2024.
  • To Avail Early Bird Discount for Level 1, Please register before: February 28, 2024.

Trish Haight, LMFT

Licensed Psychotherapist

Trish Haight, LMFT is a certified Deceptive Sexuality and Trauma Therapist (DSTT), a specialization in deceptive sexuality and trauma (DST), offered by The Institute for Sexual Health (ISH).Trish is a leading professional voice in Deceptive Sexuality and Trauma Treatment (DSTT) and is an Adjunct Professor and Faculty Member of The Institute for Sexual Health (ISH), and currently teaches Level 2 and 3 of the DSTT Professional Training along with Dr. Omar Minwalla, Licensed Psychologist and Clinical Sexologist. Trish formally trained directly under Dr. Omar Minwalla and was an instrumental part of Dr. Minwalla’s original core clinical treatment team at The Institute for Sexual Health from 2009 – 2015, which is referred to as Dr. Minwalla’s, Sacred Clinical Incubator, giving birth to both DSTT and IVTT, Intentional Vibe Trauma Treatment. IVTT is a treatment for systemic abuse, injustice, and complex trauma, and relevant in particular to survivor-based communities.

Dr. Omar Minwalla, Psy.D.

Licensed Psychologist & Clinical Sexologist

Dr. Omar Minwalla is a Licensed Psychologist and Clinical Sexologist trained at the University of Minnesota Medical School. Dr. Minwalla has spent 20 years as a first responder on the front lines of treating infidelity and compulsive sexual behavior. His grounded theory of Deceptive Sexuality and Trauma Treatment (DSTT) not only establishes a new standard of care for the treatment of infidelity, compulsive sexual behavior disorders, and sex addiction, but shines a light on a unique method for the treatment of systemic abuse, injustice and complex trauma, called Intentional Vibe Trauma Treatment (IVTT). Dr. Minwalla is the founder of The Institute for Sexual Health (ISH) which was one of the first and only U.S. treatment centers to challenge the “co-sex addict” model and articulate the systemic abuse associated with infidelity and compulsive sexual behavior disorder.

Professional Education and Training

While we are in the process of putting together a comprehensive program that meets your expectations, we understand that you may be eager to secure your spot and we appreciate your patience.

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