NAOS Advanced Diploma in Psychosexual and Relationship Psychotherapy

We are now inviting applications for 2026/2027.  Download the pdf application here or the word application here.

Click her for Full course brochure: Brochure 2 Year Adv Dipl in Psychosexual and Relationship Psychotherapy

Psychosexual and Relationship Psychotherapy
The NAOS Institute has been at the forefront of sex and relationship therapy training since 1989 when Bernd Leygraf and Judi Keshet-Orr collaborated in establishing the UK’s first Masters programme in this discipline. Together, Bernd and Judi (and faculty colleagues) have been consistently setting the standard in this work. We graduated around 2000 practitioners in over 40 countries, worldwide, having been “the leading training provider in the field” (External Examiner 2024) for many years.
In 2025, having admitted 50 new trainees to the London Diploma, this joint work of Judi and Bernd will come to a close.
Bernd, together with a refreshed faculty and course directorship team, with and emphasis on international expertise, will continue this work through the NAOS Institute from the end of 2025 onwards.
We invite applications to our revised two-year part time psychosexual and relationship psychotherapy training, to commence early in 2026, over 2 days per month, mainly in-room, with some remote access training days.

For a brief bio of Bernd see here.

The NAOS Advanced Diploma in Psychosexual and Relationship Psychotherapy
This Diploma is accredited by COSRT and as an advanced specialisation under the directorship of Bernd Leygraf, Dermot Kelly and Justyna Kulczyk-Lewinska. For the full faculty team see below.
It takes place in-room in London on Sundays and on-zoom on Mondays once a month and trainees will commence clinical work under supervision at the end of the first year. We have made great efforts to draw on international academic, clinical or lived experience and therefore faculty members represent a wide range of cultures and backgrounds. Six are university professors, several have a doctorate, many are published.

Course philosophy
In line with specialist ScoPED and revised COSRT psychosexual and relationship therapy competences the training is run at postgraduate level 7, hence all NAOS trainees, prior to starting this training, shall already be qualified generic practitioners (with a minimum of 2 years counselling, psychotherapy or psychology training).
The Advanced Diploma in Psychosexual and Relationship Psychotherapy is underpinned by a strong commitment to all communities and client populations our trainees serve with deepened sensitivity to a wide range of gender, sexuality and relationship expressions. We acknowledge the complexity and richness of human experience and the necessity of recognising and valuing the intersecting identities that clients bring to the therapeutic space. Our graduates are called to serve everyone, be they “mainstream” or “erotically marginalised”.

At the heart of our course is the intentional use of self and “beyond schoolism” (Clarkson 2010) – in that sense the programme is formational rather than “information” based.
We encourage a critical awareness of power dynamics, systemic inequalities, and the lived experiences of those who are privileged as well as those from marginalised communities.

Each module is carefully designed to align with this philosophy. Whether focusing on clinical assessment, the development of the therapeutic relationship, or addressing psychosexual concerns, students will be consistently encouraged to approach all material through the lens of joint cultural enquiry based on cultural humility intersectionality, and GSDR principles. The aim is to develop practitioners acutely aware of the social, cultural, and political contexts that shape the lives and relationships of their clients at the same time as being able to exercise clinical judgement.

Placements
There are three options to accrue the required 150 hrs of clinical practice:

• Through a clinical placement in the UK, Europe or further afield. 30% must be in person. We have in the region of 200 places, NHS, voluntary or third sector
• By sourcing your own placement at work or elsewhere. We audit all new placements
• Using your private practice, having been permitted to do so by your supervisor

Entry requirements

• Completed counselling, psychotherapy, counselling or clinical psychology qualification, no less than 2 years, 300 hrs
• Ability to study at level 7
• Professional reference

Assessment

• A ‘Three critical incidents’ reflective essay, 5000 words
• One research project 5000 words
• One case study 5000 words
• 3 supervisors reports, 1000 words reflective essay, non-assessed

Additional requirements:

• Student membership COSRT during the training
• Personal therapy
• 1.5 hrs per month supervision, during year 2, ratio 1:6

Application, interviewing and student selection process

• Applicants must complete the electronic application form (here)
• All applicants will be interviewed by one of the course directors and may be offered a space subject to references
• Upon receipt of the initial deposit of £500 the space is confirmed

Upon course completion
Graduates are immediately given access to registration with COSRT. Those who wish to progress to accreditation are required to complete another year