BESTCO: History and purpose

BESTCO'S HISTORY

In 1975, a group of Marriage and Family Therapists, all members of the OAMFT (The Ontario Association of Marriage and Family Therapists), in the absence of any government licensing for sex therapy, developed criteria by which sex therapists in Ontario would be deemed qualified as Registered Sex Therapists. Essential to their mandate was the premise that sex therapists need firstly to be skilled in relationship therapy.

These therapists voluntarily agreed to supervision of their clinical sex therapy practice and took written and oral examinations of their sexological knowledge and sex therapy clinical skills. Presently, our membership consists of doctors, psychologists, social workers, theologians and nurses. There are 31 Registered members from 15 Ontario cities. We meet for two days in the Spring and in the Fall. Membership continues to be voluntary and attendance at meetings is a requisite of continued membership.

BESTCO's purpose is:

To identify to the public, clinicians who have expertise in sex therapy.
To set standards for the granting of registered status in sex therapy.
To examine candidates for the status of registered sex therapist.
To provide a continuing education component for BESTCO members.

Look for a BESTCO certified sex therapist to ensure a high standard of clinical excellence in sex therapy. For information about BESTCO or help in finding a Registered Sex Therapist, please contact us.