Outline

Overview

This unit of study explores issues in psychosexual therapy and sexual health counselling. The unit of study will be conducted in two stages. Stage one is an online component and stage two is a compulsory intensive teaching block where students extend their skills and participate in Sexual Attitude Re-Assessment Seminar (SARS) activities. Students will undertake advanced study of counselling practise with special population groups and ethical issues relating to the provision of sexual health counselling and psychosexual therapy. Students will explore specialist topics in sexual health counselling/psychosexual therapy (e.g., sex and disability, HIV and STIs in a counselling context, sex in an ageing society). Throughout the unit of study, students will develop a critical understanding of ethical issues in the provision of sexual health counselling/psychosexual therapy through the exploration of emergent trends in the practise of sexual health counselling/psychosexual therapy. On completion of this unit, students will be able to: (i) Examine the ethical issues of using a sex surrogate in psychosexual therapy. (ii) Apply counselling processes to clients with a diagnosed sexual transmitted infection/s. (iii) Critique pre- and post-test HIV and BBV/Hep C counselling in a sexual health counselling context. (iv) Analyse the needs of long-term survivors with HIV. (v) Evaluate psychosexual supports for clients who are ageing. (vi) Evaluate psychosexual supports for clients with disabilities.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Sexual Health
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	SEXH5403
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	SEXH5402 (or equivalent)
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Christopher Fox, c.fox@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Andrew Everingham, andrew.everingham@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 1 September 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Presentation	Video Task Recorded task	20%	Formal exam period Due date: 17 Nov 2025 at 23:59	Approximately 20 minutes	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Critique of Counselling Video Essay	30%	Formal exam period Due date: 17 Nov 2025 at 23:59	2,500 - 3,000 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Contribution	Online Discussions Online discussions	10%	Multiple weeks	Ongoing	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Out-of-class quiz	Multiple Choice Quiz (MCQ) Online quiz	10%	Week 06 Due date: 11 Sep 2025 at 12:00	40 minutes	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Essay Essay	30%	Week 10 Due date: 13 Oct 2025 at 23:59	2,500 - 3,000 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100
Distinction	75 - 84
Credit	65 - 74
Pass	50 - 64
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Late assignments that have not been granted extensions and are of a standard to receive a pass or higher mark will attract a penalty of 5% of the maximum mark per day late including weekend days. Assignments submitted more than 10 days late without prior approval from the unit of study coordinator will not be accepted and will be given a zero (0) mark.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Sex surrogates and psychosexual therapy	Independent study (10 hr)
Week 02	Sex surrogates and psychosexual therapy	Independent study (10 hr)
Week 02	Online teaching session (compulsory)	Online class (2 hr)
Week 03	STIs and sexual health counselling	Independent study (10 hr)
Week 04	STIs and sexual health counselling	Independent study (10 hr)
Week 05	STIs and sexual health counselling	Independent study (10 hr)
Week 06	HIV and sexual health counselling	Independent study (10 hr)
Week 07	HIV and sexual health counselling	Independent study (10 hr)
Week 08	HIV and sexual health counselling	Independent study (10 hr)
Week 08	Online teaching session (compulsory)	Online class (2 hr)
Week 09	Ageing and sexuality	Independent study (10 hr)
Week 10	Ageing and sexuality	Independent study (10 hr)
Week 10	Online teaching session (compulsory)	Online class (2 hr)
Week 11	disAbility and sexuality	Independent study (10 hr)
Week 12	Intensive face-to-face workshop (4 days, compulsory)	Workshop (28 hr)
Week 13	Assessment preparation	Independent study (10 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance at the online teaching sessions and face-to-face intensive workshop is compulsory for all students. Failure to attend may result in an absent fail for the unit of study.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed on Canvas

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. examine the ethical issues of using sex surrogates in psychosexual therapy
LO2. apply counselling processes to clients with a diagnosed sexual transmitted infection/s
LO3. critique pre and post-test HIV and BBV/Hepatitis C counselling in a sexual health counselling context
LO4. analyse the needs of long-term survivors with HIV
LO5. evaluate psychosexual supports for clients who are ageing
LO6. evaluate psychosexual supports for clients with disabilities

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

UoS coordinator considered feedback and made appropriate changes/improvements

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

SEXH5415: Advanced Issues in Psychosexual Therapy

Semester 2, 2025 [Block mode] - Westmead, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links