Máster en Sexología y Terapia de Pareja

Program Overview

This online and on-campus Master's in Psychological Therapy for Couples and Sexuality equips psychologists with the knowledge and skills to provide therapy, design health programs, and work with diverse populations. The program combines theoretical and practical learning through a blended approach, including live virtual classes, in-person workshops, and supervised practice. Graduates are prepared for careers in therapy, health promotion, education, and research, with an emphasis on evidence-based practices and ethical guidelines.

Program Outline

Máster Universitario en Terapia Psicológica de Pareja y Sexualidad Online & On Campus

Degree Overview:

The Máster Universitario en Terapia Psicológica de Pareja y Sexualidad is an official master's degree designed specifically for psychologists seeking specialized training in the field of couple and sexual therapy. It offers a positive and respectful view of sexuality and relationships, promoting evidence-based practices and adherence to legal regulations. The program aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills to provide both couple and sexual therapy. It also focuses on designing and implementing health education and promotion programs, expanding career opportunities. The program emphasizes a flexible learning experience through its online format, allowing students to learn at their own pace. It combines theoretical and practical knowledge, skills, and abilities through direct experience and a faculty composed of experienced clinical professionals in the field of relationships and sexuality. The Online & On Campus model offers the benefits of online learning combined with four in-person experiences in Madrid. These experiences involve real-world projects in the renowned Simulated Hospital, the innovative Aula del Futuro, and other technologically advanced facilities. Students will work alongside top professionals and leading companies in areas such as Artificial Intelligence, emotional regulation, leadership communication skills, and virtual therapy.

Outline:

The program is structured into two semesters, with a total of 60 ECTS credits. The curriculum includes the following modules:

First Semester:

• Module 1: The Human Sexual Act.
• Sexual and Couple Therapy (6 ECTS):
• Beliefs and myths about sexual and couple therapy.
• The human sexual act: Sexualization, sexuality, eroticism, love, couples, and procreation.
• Sexual and couple therapy: History, characteristics, and approaches.
• Sexual and couple therapy: Ethics, deontology, and legislation.
• The human sexual response.
• Formation and maintenance of couple relationships.
• Module 2: Health Psychology Applied to Sexuality and Couple Relationships (6 ECTS):
• The concept of health.
Health psychology: Methodologies.
• Healthy sexuality.
Procreation, contraception, and prevention of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). Pharmacology of sexuality.
• Healthy couple relationships.
Prevention of abuse.
• The role of counseling.
• Sex and relationship education.
• Design of sexual and couple health promotion programs.
• Module 3: Sexual Difficulties: Evaluation, Case Formulation, and Treatment Design (6 ECTS):
• Biological and cultural bases of the development of sexual identity and desire.
Intersexuality.
• Orientation and peculiarities of desire.
• Sexual identity.
Transsexuality.
• Difficulties due to low or high levels of desire.
• Difficulties with erection and ejaculation.
• Difficulties with vaginal penetration and orgasm.
• Module 4: Difficulties in Couple Relationships: Evaluation, Case Formulation, and Treatment Design (6 ECTS):
• What is a couple?
Characteristics of a functional couple. Most common couple difficulties.
• Communication problems and conflict management.
Difficulties due to lack of reinforcers.
• Jealousy.
Infidelity. Emotional dependence.
• Infertility and pregnancy seeking.
Perinatal grief. Pregnancy. Childrearing.
• Abuse.
Breakups. Divorces. Partner search.
• Module 5: General Intervention Techniques Applied to Intervention in Sexuality and Couples (6 ECTS):
• Activation control techniques: Diaphragmatic breathing.
Progressive Muscle Relaxation. Thought Stopping.
• Systematic exposure.
Imaginal exposure.
• Systematic Desensitization.
• Psychoeducation.
• Cognitive restructuring.
• Social skills training.
• Module 6: Specific Evaluation and Intervention Techniques in Sexuality (6 ECTS):
• Therapist skills in sexual evaluation and intervention.
• Methods of sexual evaluation.
• Self-knowledge and communication.
• Stimulus control.
Techniques to increase desire and erotic growth.
• Sensory focus.
• Ejaculatory control techniques.
Stimulation techniques. Kegel muscle training. Progressive vaginal dilation.
• Module 7: Specific Evaluation and Intervention Techniques in Couple Relationships (6 ECTS):
• Therapist skills in couple relationship evaluation and intervention.
• Methods of couple relationship evaluation.
• Feedback of case formulation to the couple.
• Intervention in communication and conflict management.
• Techniques to increase reinforcers.
• Decision-making and expectation management techniques.
Mediation in breakup.
• Module 8: Evaluation and Intervention in Specific Contexts of Sexuality and Couple Relationships (6 ECTS):
• Evaluation and intervention in sexual abuse.
• Evaluation and intervention with minors.
• Evaluation and intervention with people with disabilities.
• Evaluation and intervention with older adults.
• Evaluation and intervention in atypical couples: Couples with cultural and/or religious differences.
Long-distance relationships. Polyamorous relationships and open relationships.
• Evaluation and intervention in complex couple situations: Therapy with one member.
Coexistence of individual problems. Non-compliance with tasks and/or lack of motivation.
• Module 9: External Academic Practices (6 ECTS):
• Psychological evaluation in couple and sexual difficulties.
• Functional analysis and goal generation.
• Psychological intervention in the contexts of intervention in couple and sexual difficulties.
• Participation in preventive and sexual and couple health promotion actions.
• Participation in sexual and couple counseling activities.
• Case analysis.
• Module 10: Master's Thesis (6 ECTS):

Teaching:

The program utilizes a blended learning approach, combining online and in-person components.

• Online Learning:
• Live virtual classes accessible from any location and device.
• Experiential learning through real-world case studies and theoretical-practical learning.
• In-person Experiences:
• Four workshops in Madrid, focusing on developing highly sought-after soft skills through group dynamics and simulation methodologies.
• Sessions cover topics such as:
• Emotional Regulation Skills
• Benefits and Applications of Artificial Intelligence in Psychology
• Leadership Communication Skills
• Technological Advancements and Challenges of Online Care
The faculty consists of active professionals with extensive experience in the field of clinical sexual and couple psychology.

Careers:

Graduates of the Máster Universitario en Terapia Psicológica de Pareja y Sexualidad are equipped to pursue a wide range of career paths, including:

• Psychological Therapy: Providing individual and couple therapy for sexual and relationship issues.
• Sexual and Couple Health Promotion and Prevention: Designing and implementing educational programs and campaigns.
• Work with Specific Populations: Providing specialized services to LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, victims of sexual abuse, etc.
• Family Planning and STI Detection Centers: Offering counseling and support.
• Educational Settings: Teaching sex education and promoting sexual health.
• Research and Academia: Conducting research and contributing to the field of sexual and couple therapy.

Other:

The program is designed for psychologists who want to specialize in sexuality and couples from a cognitive-behavioral psychological approach based on evidence. It includes 150 hours of practical experience in professional settings, connecting students with the professional world. The Universidad Europea has campuses throughout Spain and in Ecuador, Colombia, Peru, and Chile. Graduates will have the knowledge and requirements to practice as sexual or couple therapists in private centers for all affected populations. The program provides training to evaluate and detect sexual or couple difficulties, as well as to design and evaluate prevention and promotion programs for healthy sexual and couple relationships.