Psychosexual and relationship therapists increasingly encounter complex clinical presentations that intersect with legal, safeguarding, and criminal justice systems, including sexual compulsivity that crosses the line, domestic and sexual violence, and problematic or illegal digital sexual behaviours. This training introduces psychosexual and relationship therapists to the forensic contexts which their work may encounter, supporting safe, ethical, and clearly boundaried clinical practice.
This self-access class situates forensic material within the scope of Psychosexual and Relationship Therapy and focuses on helping therapists understand when and how legal considerations, safeguarding duties, and systemic responses may impact assessment, formulation, and intervention. It is essential that practitioners are able to recognise the limits of their role, differentiate therapeutic work from forensic assessment, and maintain high ethical and professional standards.
This training equips therapists with foundational knowledge to assess and respond to presentations where sexual behaviour intersects with legal frameworks, while remaining grounded in psychosexual and relational therapeutic practice. It supports practitioners to work safely with both survivors and individuals whose sexual behaviours raise forensic concern, and to recognise when referral, consultation, or multidisciplinary working is required.
This self-access class is a recording of a live event held in July 2026.
Session Outline:
- Understand key legal, ethical, and safeguarding considerations relevant to psychosexual and relationship therapy when sexual behaviour intersects with the law.
- Clarify the boundaries between psychosexual and relationship therapy, forensic assessment, and criminal justice processes.
- Develop confidence in recognising when forensic awareness is required and when referral or consultation is indicated.
- Apply this knowledge to clinical formulation while remaining within COSRT-aligned scope of practice.
Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this self-access class, you will be able to:
- Understand core terminology, law, and frameworks necessary to navigate psychosexual clinical work that touches the legal system.
- Differentiate psychosexual therapies and clinical sexology from its forensic applications to clarify PRTs role and professional boundaries.
- Clarify the role of the psychosexual and relationship therapies when working with individuals involved in sexual behaviours that intersect with the law.
About the Trainer
Simon Wilson is a UKCP Registered Psychotherapist and a COSRT Accredited Clinical Sexologist and Relationship Therapist. He is the Course Director and Lead Tutor on the COSRT accredited Level 7 Diploma in Psychosexual Psychotherapy.
Simon has many years of clinical experience working with complex presentations across psychiatric and forensic settings, including a mentally disordered offender service (MENDOS) for Rethink Mental Illness, Probation Services, HMP Lewes and court-ordered rehabilitation requirement groups in community services.
He completed the STOPSO COFRA 121 programme as part of his clinical sexology training and his private practice includes treating clients presenting with sexual compulsivity and those who have crossed the line into problematic and illegal digital sexual behaviour.
He has full membership of British Society of Criminology and was a lecturer for the University of Hull BSc Psychology and Criminology programme.
