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Core Knowledge Areas

The Canadian Association of Sexuality Professionals (CASP) is committed to fostering excellence, integrity, and cultural responsiveness in the field of human sexuality. These Core Competencies define the essential knowledge, skills, and ethical principles that guide professional practice for sexuality educators, counselors, therapists, researchers, and advocates across Canada.

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Sexuality is a fundamental aspect of human experience—shaped by biology, psychology, relationships, culture, and systems of power. Working in this field requires not only a strong understanding of sexual health and pleasure, but also the ability to navigate sensitive topics with respect, compassion, and cultural humility. CASP recognizes the importance of integrating evidence-based science with community-based wisdom, including Indigenous knowledge systems and the lived experiences of diverse communities.

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These competencies are organized into three tiers of proficiency—Foundational, Intermediate, and Advanced—to reflect the different stages of professional development. Whether a practitioner is entering the field or leading national initiatives, each tier provides a clear benchmark for knowledge and skills, as well as a pathway for ongoing growth.

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By upholding these competencies, CASP members commit to:

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  • Practicing within a sex-positive, trauma-informed, and intersectional framework.

  • Respecting and affirming the diverse sexualities, genders, bodies, and relationships of all people.

  • Engaging in continuous learning to respond to emerging issues and evolving cultural contexts.

  • Advocating for sexual rights as human rights.

 

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This framework not only strengthens the professional community, but also ensures that the individuals, couples, families, and communities we serve receive competent, ethical, and affirming care.

CASP Core Knowledge Areas

1. Foundations of Human Sexuality

 

  • Human sexual development across the lifespan and lifecourse development

  • Reproductive and sexual anatomy and physiology

  • Sexual response cycles and variation

  • Sexual health and wellness

  • Sex positivity and pleasure-informed approaches

  • Gender, sexual, erotic, and relational diversity

  • Cultural, religious, and spiritual intersectionalities (e.g., Tantra-informed, Sensate Focus)
     

2. Canadian Context of Sexuality

 

  • History of sexual rights in Canada

  • Overview of Canadian healthcare and social services systems

  • Impacts of the Indian Act, residential schools, and colonialism on Indigenous sexualities

  • Immigration, refugee, and multicultural contexts and sexual health

  • Language, policy, and jurisdictional differences across provinces/territories

 

3. Indigenous Perspectives and Decolonizing Sexuality

 

  • Indigenous sexual knowledges and teachings

  • Impacts of colonization on gender, sexuality, family, and kinship systems

  • Two-Spirit and Indigiqueer identities and resurgence

  • Indigenous healing practices and sovereignty in health

  • Working with Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and communities ethically and respectfully

 

4. Intersectionality, Power, and Oppression

 

  • Critical race theory and anti-Indigenous and anti-Black racism in sexuality work

  • Ableism, neurodiversity, and accessibility in sex therapy/education

  • Class, poverty, and housing insecurity and sexual health

  • Fatphobia and body liberation in sexual discourse

  • Interlocking systems of oppression and structural barriers

 

5. Gender Identity, Gender Expression, and Attraction

 

  • Trans, two-spirit, and non-binary health and rights

  • Gender-affirming care and transitioning support

  • Diversity of attraction

  • 2SLGBTQIA+ sexualities and relationship diversity

  • Navigating homophobia, transphobia, and cisnormativity

  • Non-monogamy, kink, asexuality, digisexuality and other underrepresented identities


 

6. Consent, Boundaries, and Communication

 

  • The legal and cultural definitions of consent in Canada

  • Trauma-informed consent practices

  • Communication frameworks in intimate, educational, and clinical contexts

  • Working with survivors of sexual violence

  • Youth and developmental considerations

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7. Sexual Functioning, Pleasure, and Concerns

 

  • Common sexual challenges, diagnoses, and dysfunctions (e.g., pain, desire discrepancy, erectile concerns)

  • Sexual enhancement and pleasure frameworks

  • Integrating pleasure and intimacy across abilities and stages of life

  • Sexual medicine and pharmaceutical interventions (e.g., HRT, SSRIs, contraceptives)

  • Sex after trauma, illness, injury, or loss

  • Out of control sexual behaviour and compulsive sexual behaviour
     

8. Diversities of Relationships and Erotic Intersectionalities 

 

  • Sexual orientation and erotic fluidity

  • Asexual and aromantic spectrums

  • Kink, BDSM, and power exchange

  • Fetishes and paraphilic interests

  • Non-monogamy and relationship diversity

  • Sexual fantasy, imagination, and internal erotic life

  • Erotic intersectionalities across the lifespan

  • Cultural, religious, and spiritual frameworks of erotic intersectionalities (e.g., Tantra-informed, Sensate Focus) 

 

9. Intimacy and Attachment
 

  • Attachment theory and its application to sexuality

  • Digital attachment or digiattachment (i.e., attachment to, with, and through technologies)

  • Intimacy and emotional expression across cultures and communities

  • Sex and intimacy in long-term partnerships

  • Non-consensual non-monogamy or infidelity, repair, and consensual non-monogamy
     

10. Sexual Ethics and Professional Boundaries

 

  • Canadian laws and codes of conduct for sexuality professionals

  • Confidentiality, reporting laws, and ethical practice

  • Power dynamics in client-professional and educator-learner relationships

  • Reflective practice and managing countertransference

  • Digital health (digihealth) intersectionalities with professional practices and ethics

 

11. Research, Evidence-Informed Practice, and Evaluation

 

  • Critical appraisal of sexuality research

  • Common factors of effective practice, including the foundation of self of the sexuality professional considerations

  • Community-based and participatory research with marginalized populations

  • Evaluating educational programs and therapy outcomes

  • Bridging Indigenous knowledges with Western methods

  • Ethics in sexuality research and program evaluation

 

12. Education and Pedagogical Practices

 

  • Creating inclusive, trauma-informed, and culturally safe learning spaces

  • Teaching sensitive topics across age groups and settings

  • Anti-oppressive and decolonial approaches to sex education

  • Curriculum design and facilitation techniques

  • Managing resistance, discomfort, and backlash


 

13. Advocacy, Policy, and Social Change

 

  • Canadian sexual rights frameworks and human rights law

  • Advocacy for inclusive, affirming, and comprehensive sex ed

  • Public health, harm reduction, and community organizing

  • Working with media, government, and institutions to advance sexual justice

  • Allyship and solidarity with sex workers, youth, incarcerated populations, and others

Join Us in Advancing Sexual Health and Wellness for Individuals, Families and Communities

Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

Email: cndsexualityprofessionals@gmail.com

Phone: (204) 471-8771

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CASP is based out of Treaty 1 Territory, the traditional lands of the Anishinaabeg, Ininiwak, Anishininwak, Dakota Oyate, and Denésuline, and the National Homeland of the Red River Métis.

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© 2025 The Canadian Association of Sexuality Professionals

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