membership

Being a part of the ASTO membership is an opportunity to become a Certified Sex Therapist in Ontario.  ASTO is an interdisciplinary group of professionals, in public and private practice, including social workers, marriage and family therapists, physicians, physiotherapists and nurses. These clinicians all belong to their respective Ontario-based colleges and adhere to their college’s Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.

ASTO has Guidelines of Practice, Core Competencies and a complaints process.

membership benefits

Photo Directory listing on the ASTO website

Access to a Members-Only forum

Bi-Annual Education Conferences covering leading edge material on research, sex therapy techniques and sexual health. May and October is a time to look forward to meeting fellow ASTO members to interact, collaborate with and share information with others in the field of sex therapy (conference costs are in addition to annual membership fees).

Membership Categories

Application fee for membership is $50.

In accordance with the ASTO constitution, there are five categories of membership, as follows:

Associate Membership:

Associates are members who have met all requirements and have been approved by the Documentation Committee.  They meet all of the requirements set out in the Certification Process and:

1. Remain in good standing with professional college
2. Maintain professional malpractice insurance
3. Practice under supervision with a ASTO approved supervisor
4. Attend bi-annual ASTO meetings, and not miss two consecutive meetings

Associate Member fee: $140/year + Supervision fees

Certified Membership:

Members who have completed all requirements toward Certification and have been given the designation of Certified Member. As such, Certified members shall:

1. Maintain college membership and remain in good standing
2. Maintain professional practice insurance
3. Attend bi-annual meetings, not missing two consecutive meetings

Certified Member fee: $225/year

Associate Healthcare Affiliate Membership:

Associates are members who have met all requirements and have been approved by the Documentation Committee.  They meet all of the requirements set out in the Certification Process and:

1. Maintain membership in good standing in their regulatory college
   
2. Maintain professional practice insurance
   
3. Attend bi-annual ASTO meetings, not missing two consecutive meetings
   

Associate Healthcare Affiliate Member fee: $140/year  + Supervision fees

Certified Healthcare Affiliate Membership:

Members who have completed all requirements towards Healthcare Affiliate certification and have been given the designation of certified member.  Certified Members shall:

1. Maintain membership in good standing in their regulatory college
2. Maintain professional practice insurance
3. Attend bi-annual ASTO meetings, not missing two consecutive meetings

Certified Healthcare Affiliate Member fee: $225/year

Member Emeritus:

Certified members who have made a special contribution to ASTO, and are no longer practicing clinicians. Attending bi-annual meetings is not required but welcome.

No fee

Affiliate Membership:

This is an exceptional category for individuals who are not sex therapists, but have made outstanding contributions to our understanding of human sexuality and have distinguished themselves in fields such as sex education or research. Affiliate Membership is by invitation only.

Affiliate Member fee: $105/year