FAQ

The Equitable Care Certification (ECC) is an AASECT-approved training program for licensed and unlicensed mental health professionals, focusing on equitable care for marginalized clients, including but limited to sex workers and anyone in the adult industry.

“Sex Worker” is an umbrella term for a diverse subset of people who consensually exchange erotic labor in a variety of ways including but not limited to stripping, full service and street-based work, porn performers, and massage workers. Sex workers usually engage this work as a result of complex choices around survival, migration, capitalism, and identity. Not everyone who does this work, uses the term “sex worker” to self-identify.

In most traditional graduate programs, clinicians do not learn comprehensive information about people in the sex industry by choice, circumstance or coercion. A sex worker identity can co-exist with any identity, marginalized or otherwise, and a therapist would not be able to identify someone as a sex worker unless they explicitly disclose — and they often do not, due to valid fear of biased care.

This gap in knowledge means people in the mental health field lack the competence to work with sex workers as therapy clients. Sex workers deserve non-judgmental and affirming mental healthcare that holds space for the nuances of this work, while also not assuming that issues related to sex work are the presenting concern.

The Equitable Care Certification is open to both licensed therapists and unlicensed mental health professionals who want to provide inclusive, anti-oppressive care.

We believe in divesting from academia and providing equitable learning opportunities to make up for information missing from traditional graduate programs. We offering tiered pricing for all of our synchronous, asynchronous, and hybrid learning options.

If you are Black, Indigenous, or a person of color you are welcome to use the coupon code: BIPOC for 25% off.

If you are experiencing financial hardship we offer an equity rate, as well as a limited amount of full scholarships. Apply here for our Pay What You Can rate. (Please note: these are only available to QTGNC Black, Indigenous, people of color.)

ECC offers synchronous cohorts quarterly for interactive learning and an asynchronous self-paced version for flexible completion. Learn more about our cohorts here.

If you are experiencing financial hardship we offer a Pay What You Can rate. Apply here for our Pay What You Can rate. The pay what you can rate are only available to LGBTQIA+ Black, Indigenous, people of color.

Yes, the Equitable Care Certification offers continuing educations credits from the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT) that are accepted by most accrediting institutions. If you have any issues with credit transfers please don't hesitate to reach out to us [email protected] or AASECT [email protected].

For Synchronous Cohort Members: Upon completion of the certification coursework, students are required to see a SWer client in their clinical practice for a minimum of 12 hours, pro bono. ECC will refer this client through our parent-organization/sex worker-led organization, Zepp Wellness.

ECC will meet with each client after 12 hours of care to discuss your competence in session. Additionally, you will be required to do 3 hours of group supervision (1 hour for every 4 hours of direct service).

Once your direct service & supervision hours are complete and we’ve met with the clients, you will receive your AASECT CE Certificate and will be added to our Provider Directory for two years (then you will need to renew your certificate).

For Asynchronous Cohort Members:

Once you have completed all coursework you will receive your AASECT CE Certificate. No additional requirements are required in this path.

ECC covers equitable care practices, anti-oppressive therapy techniques, sex worker-affirming approaches, and supporting marginalized communities. View the complete curriculum here.

Synchronous cohorts meet for 12 consecutive weeks, and after meet once a month for 3 months during the Direct Service & Supervision requirement.

The Asynchronous program allows learners to complete the 12-course curriculum at their own pace.

Registration is available online through the ECC website. Select either a synchronous cohort or the asynchronous self-paced option.

The Equitable Care Certification is valid for two years following the date on your certificate. In order to renew there are two options: (1) is a $250 renewal fee or (2) you can participate in ECC workshops totaling $250.

Once you’ve done this, you will be issued a new certificate and added back to the Provider Directory of our website.

If you register for a cohort that ends up being cancelled for lack of registrations you have a couple different options: (1) We can offer you a refund or (2) You can defer your registration to the next cohort.

In the event that you are not successful in the certification coursework and/or the direct service & supervision portion, we will determine on a case-by-case basis what next steps would look like. We will reach out directly to set up a meeting to discuss.

Important Note: Completion of this program does not ensure or guarantee AASECT certification. For further information please contact [email protected].