Photo by Jhayne
I’m considering getting a certification in Sexology. Why? Good question. Currently the United States doesn’t legally recognize such certifications. Legally anyone can say they’re a sex coach whether they’ve had training in the field or not. In my career I’ve completed trainings, have many years of research, and have worked in various aspects of sex counseling and education. I’ve been teaching about and creating art about sex, gender, orientation, and identity for 20+ years now (what?)! Yet still, I feel like I’m “not enough”.
AASECT, the American Association of Sexuality Educators Counselors and Therapists, does offer certification in sex therapy, sex counseling, and sex education. Each of AASECT’s certifications requires a degree in the psychology field — something which I don’t have, and am unsure if I want to find the funding for or make the time to obtain. There are also certification options which require less money and less time. Going after a certification in sex coaching seems more relevant to what I do currently, but I question if it is “enough” even if it isn’t strictly speaking, necessary?
How do I see myself functioning in a year or two from now? Right now I engage in so many different types of sexuality outreach and education I find it hard to see exactly what I’m building up for in the long run. It wouldn’t be enough to get hired to work as a legitimate therapist or to offer insurance options. It would be a start to stepping more confidently into the work I do, and perhaps learn to run the business end of my life more effectively. I love connecting with and helping the talk clients I have, and I’m glad that I work with clients in others ways as well. Lecturing at schools and with community groups, weaving aspects of sensuality and sexual dialogue into my performance art is another long standing and important way that I do this work, working with individuals as a Professional Dominant is extremely rewarding, so is writing this blog. None of it pays enough or steadily though. That is a struggle I am tired of.
At the end of the day I need to be able to sum up and understand all of the various ways that I engage in this work and decide what it is that I am doing. I don’t have a grasp on how to articulate it yet, and I think articulation is a good step toward running a business which is successful. I live the gig economy life, coupled with a degree in theater I don’t really understand anything else… I may be good at seeing other people and serving them in ways they need, however I have a spectacularly hard time seeing myself and selling.
I unendingly struggle with thinking and feeling I am not enough. I find how we organize worth on this planet confusing and hard. I get angry at how difficult it is to be taken seriously if you aren’t “playing the game” right, and often “playing the game” means being from a demographic I haven’t been born into or experience (though I’ve got it leagues easier than others too). I believe everyone has a purpose and inherent worth and that there is enough in the world to keep everyone above water. I wish it was easier to share wealth along lines of value. I know I am valuable, even if I am lost when it comes to selling my worth.
Play On My Friends,
~ Creature
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~Thank you.