Sexology is the study of human sexuality. Somatic can be defined as “of the body” or “body focussed”. The word comes from the Greek σωματικῶς (sōmatikōs): which can be translated as “The living, aware, embodied person” - this interpretation avoids a mind-body split and instead posits soma as a unified, living process.
Somatic Sexology is a diverse field. ASIS Members are Somatic Sexologists who work with clients on sexuality in a way which centres bodily experience and embodiment. ASIS Members share the common aims of supporting Clients’ individual personal growth, empowerment and integration, and their emotional, physical, mental, spiritual and sexual well-being.
ASIS recognises that Members may work in differing though related disciplines. These broadly encompass talking (e.g. coaching, counselling, education, psychotherapy) and/or modalities that can include touch (e.g. body coaching, breathwork, massage, surrogacy, trauma release) and/or energy work (e.g. sexual shamanism, Tantric and Taoist practices).
While the specific modalities used may vary between practitioners, between Clients or between different session with the same Client, the Code of Ethics & Ethical Codes of Practice apply equally to all professional activities including individual or group work, teaching, training, assisting, supervising and consulting and provide a common set of values upon which Members continually build their professional work.