The Contemporary Institute of Clinical Sexology

22/04/2026

Happy Earth Day. 🌿🕊️

In psychotherapy, we often focus on the internal world or the space between two people. But on Earth Day, we are reminded of the wider ecology that holds us all.

Our relational health is deeply tied to our environment. High-stress, urban, or disconnected living can leave our nervous systems on edge, making it harder to find the "softness" required for intimacy. Conversely, stepping into nature - the original co-regulator - can help us drop out of our heads and back into our bodies.

Relational care is also planetary care. When we cultivate a relationship with the earth, we practice the same skills needed for human connection:

Attunement and noticing.

Patience and slow growth.

Respect for boundaries and natural cycles.

Today, we’re encouraged to consider how our environment supports (or challenges) our capacity to connect.

How does being in nature change the way you relate to yourself and others?

20/04/2026

Are you comfortable talking to your clients about s*x? Was this covered for you on your core training? Are you happy to talk about s*x but not sure what to do to help clients once they have brought it up?

The CICS Professional Certificate in Psychos*xual Therapy might be the course you need. Open to qualified counsellors, s*xual health advisors, nurses and medical doctors, this course will teach you to both talk about s*x professionally and work effectively with your clients/patients’ s*xual problems.

Link in bio.

*xualTherapy *xualHealth *xPositive

17/04/2026

As a UKCP-registered relational integrative psychotherapist and clinical supervisor, Rajan brings a wealth of experience from private practice, sports television production, and Higher Education to the CICS team.

His work is deeply rooted in examining and dismantling barriers to psychotherapy for marginalised and racially minoritised communities. With a specialist interest in the vital intersection of race and s*xuality, Rajan develops and delivers the training that helps therapists navigate these complexities with integrity and awareness.

We are proud to have his perspective and dedication as part of our tutoring team, ensuring our students are equipped to work inclusively and effectively in a diverse world.

Visit our website to meet the rest of the CICS team.

16/04/2026

Are you comfortable talking to your clients about s*x?

Many practitioners find that while they are happy to listen, they aren't always sure how to help once a s*xual problem is brought into the room. Our Psychos*xual Therapy Certifcate course is designed to bridge that gap.

Open to qualified counsellors, s*xual health advisors, nurses, and doctors, this course provides the clinical tools to both talk about s*x professionally and work effectively with s*xual dysfunction.

Limited spaces remaining for our June intake. Contact us today to secure your space.

*xualTherapy *xualHealth

15/04/2026

High-quality specialist training, now more accessible for practitioners in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

Our new Cross Border Centre of Excellence is strategically located just outside Belfast.

Lower travel and accommodation costs that an England based course
Excellent transport links from both N.I. and the R.O.I.
Access world-class clinical expertise without the usual financial burden of cross-border study.

Tap the link in our bio to view the full Prospectus.

*xology

13/04/2026

We are proud to announce the launch of the Cross Border Centre of Excellence in Psychos*xual and Relationship Therapy - a first-of-its-kind specialist training hub for practitioners across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

Based just outside Belfast, this Centre brings together the clinical authority of CICS and the regional expertise of A Safe Space to be Me.

There is a growing, unmet demand for qualified specialists in this field across NI and the ROI. Our Qualifying Diploma is not a replication of an England-based model; it is a bespoke, contextually grounded programme designed specifically for the legal and cultural realities of practice in this region.

Applications are now open for our January 2027 intake.

*xualTherapy

Specialist Qualifying Diploma in Psychos*xual and Relationship Therapy. Blended learning, contextually adapted for practitioners in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

10/04/2026

You are not obligated to share every single second just because you can. 🏠

There's a social script that tells us if we are in the same house, we should be doing the same thing. But forcing constant interaction is the fastest way to feel suffocated.

Practice being, in parallel: Go into different rooms, read different books, or wear noise-canceling headphones. Doing your own thing isn't distance - it’s the breathing room that makes coming back together actually feel good.

Autonomy is the fuel for intimacy.

08/04/2026

News flash people!!! Older people like s*x (gasp!). And people over 50 don’t think of themselves as old.

We live in a culture that des*xualises older people and considers anyone not looking like a 20 year old as being over the hill. That is writing off a huge proportion of the population and it needs to stop.

People over 50 are s*xually active. S*x can matter right up to the end of life. Let’s bring professional care and support to all of our clients, regardless of their age. If you are lucky, you’ll get old too.

*xualityAndAging *xualHealth *xualTherapy

06/04/2026

The work of a therapist is rarely linear.

When we sit with clients, we are navigating the intricate intersections of their history, their desires, their shame, and their identity. To do this work well, "good enough" isn't enough - it requires a specialist lens and a deep clinical foundation.

At CICS, our training is designed for those who want to move beyond the basics. Whether it’s our Level 7 Professional Certificate or our Level 5 Diploma, we provide the rigour needed to hold the most complex human stories with confidence and compassion.

Applications are now open for our upcoming intakes.

*xualTherapy *xAndIdentity

03/04/2026

In our latest blog post, CICS graduate and psychos*xual therapist Helaina Ashcroft writes a heartfelt letter to Christian parents. She explores the delicate balance between raising children within a faith tradition and honouring their autonomy as they navigate their own development.

Helaina addresses the "shame culture" that can be part of some church teachings, offering instead a perspective rooted in empowerment, accurate language, and the biblical celebration of pleasure.

It is a helpful read for Christian parents, educators, and practitioners who wish to support a narrative of consent and curiosity.

Read the full letter at the link in our bio.

*xuality *xEducation

01/04/2026

"Distinguishing between your personal morals and your professional ethics can determine whether you are a safe or an unsafe practitioner."

In our latest blog post, CICS Principal Julie Sale tackles a vital question for every therapist: What is the difference between what we personally believe to be "right" and our professional standards of behaviour?

Julie explores how our own biases - around monogamy, independence, or gender - can unintentionally impact the therapeutic space. When we mistake our personal morals for professional ethics, we risk imposing our worldview on our clients, which can lead to significant ethical breaches.

True clinical excellence requires constant reflexivity and the courage to examine our own majority identities.

Read the full article at the link in our bio to explore how you can expand your reflexivity in practice.

30/03/2026

Behind the CICS Professional Certificate is a wealth of clinical depth and diverse experience.

We are delighted to introduce the Lead Tutor for our upcoming June intake: Tracy Tuffs.

Tracy is a COSRT-accredited Psychos*xual and Relationship Therapist and Clinical Supervisor who brings a truly unique perspective to our training. Her career has seen her lead counselling services within hospices and develop vital programmes within the prison system—work that requires immense compassion and a deep understanding of marginalised communities.

As a Lead Tutor, Tracy bridges the gap between high-level academic theory and real-world clinical practice. Having taught at Master’s level across several educational settings, she is dedicated to helping our trainees develop the resilience and curiosity needed to work with complex issues like compulsive s*xual behaviours, trauma, and identity.

When you join the PST Certificate, you aren't just gaining a qualification; you are learning under the guidance of experts like Tracy who have spent years sitting in the "complex spaces" of human connection.

Limited spaces remain for our June 2026 intake. Join Tracy and the CICS team by applying at the link in our bio.

*xualTherapy