The sex coach industry has grown significantly over the past few years, with many couples and individuals requiring the help of certified sex coaches.
If you’re passionate about sexual freedom and wellness and you want to make a meaningful impact in people’s lives and relationships, sex coaching may be perfect for you.
But how do you even become a sex coach? Can you make a living from it? And do you need a certificate?
In this article, we discuss what sex coaching is, how much you can get paid, and how to become a sex coach so you know the exact steps you need to take.
What exactly is a sex coach?
A sex coach, also known as an intimacy coach, is someone who provides guidance, education, and support to individuals and couples wanting to enhance sexual satisfaction and intimacy in their relationship. Coaches achieve this by:
- Providing education and information on various aspects of sex and relationships
- Helping clients identify and address any sexual challenges
- Assisting couples in improving their communication and expressing their desires
- Providing the support and resources clients need to achieve their sexual goals
There are mainly two types of sex coaches:
1. A talk-based sex coach
Talk-based sex coaching primarily involves communicating with clients to identify their goals, challenges, and sexual desires.
Clients will come to you with problems, and you will help them figure out the steps to solve them. You can do so by asking the client to fill out a form, talking in person, over the phone, or on a video call.
This type of coaching focuses on listening to clients so that you can understand their perspectives and experiences and provide support and tools for improving sexual wellness.
Topics you may discuss include:
- Relationship dynamics
- Communication strategies
- Sexual health education
- Exploring desires and boundaries
2. An experience-based sex coach
Experience-based sex coaching involves practical activities to help clients develop new sexual skills and awareness. It may include:
- Guided exercises
- Bodywork
- Touch
- Breathwork
- Mindfulness practices
- Relaxation practices
All aimed to help clients connect with their bodies and have better intimate experiences.
You’ll provide clients with the hands-on experience they need to explore their bodies, desires, and boundaries, all within a safe environment. Depending on the clients’ comfort levels, sessions typically occur in a private office or setting.
At SCU, our curriculum is exclusively dedicated to training you as a talk-based sex coach, equipping you with the skills necessary to guide and support your clients effectively through conversation and education.
How much does a sex coach earn?
Your earning potential as a sex coach is unlimited. It all depends on you and your offers. Many Sex Coach U graduates are enjoying (or are on their way to) a six-figure practice. This is because you can offer many offers to your clients that add up.
For example, you can offer individual one-off sessions for $125 – $300 per 60-minute session. You can also offer monthly coaching packages for $500 – $1,500 per client. Or, you can create membership programs that cost each member $37 – $97 per month.
| Type of offer | Typical price range |
|---|---|
| One-off 60-minute session | $125 – $300 per session |
| Monthly coaching package | $500 – $1,500 per client |
| Membership program | $37 – $97 per member, per month |
On top of this, you could have other offers, including group coaching, workshops, retreats, and online eLearning products.
So, let’s look at a hypothetical example of how this can create a six-figure income ($100,000+ per year or $8,333+ per month):
| Offer | Volume and price | Monthly revenue |
|---|---|---|
| 60-minute one-off coaching sessions | 8 clients per month at $200 each | $1,600 |
| Monthly coaching package | 3 clients at $1,000 each | $3,000 |
| Membership | 50 members at $77 each | $3,850 |
| Total | $8,450 per month |
So, you could already exceed the six-figure mark with just these three offers.
Why do people hire a sex coach?
People hire sex coaches for various reasons, depending on their personal goals and challenges.
Often, couples and parents hire an intimacy coach to enhance intimacy and sexual pleasure in their long-term relationships when things become stale.
However, since people of all ages and relationship statuses can have sex problems, anyone who faces sexual issues can contact you.
Reasons they may contact you include:
- They want to improve their communication skills so they can express their desires to their sexual partner.
- They want to enhance intimacy in their relationship.
- They want to learn new skills to enhance sexual exploration and pleasure.
- They want to build their confidence and body image, which can lead to a more fulfilling sex life.
- They may have a complex relationship, such as an open relationship or non-monogamy, and may need your help navigating the dynamic.
Why should you get your sex coach certification?
The market size value of the sexual wellness industry in the U.S. was over $11 billion in 2022. This number is predicted to grow to nearly 20 billion by 2030.
This makes sex coaching an extremely lucrative opportunity—especially if you’re certified and people trust you.
By getting your certification, you’ll:
- Have professional credibility: A certificate will help clients trust your coaching practice and give you a competitive advantage since you’ll be able to differentiate your practice from others.
- Gain specialized knowledge: A certification program will cover various topics related to sexuality, relationships, and coaching techniques. This will increase your confidence in your abilities so you can provide the best possible service and make the impact you truly want to.
- Learn about ethical standards: Client safety and well-being are vital to any sex coaching practice. Ethical training will help you establish and maintain professional boundaries and seek client consent for every action you take. This builds trust and ensures you get repeat customers, excellent testimonials, and more referrals.
- Open the door to networking opportunities: Certification programs, such as the Certified Sex Coach™ Program, provide opportunities to network with other coaches, professionals, and businesses in the industry. This can open the door to partnerships or collaboration opportunities to expand your reach to a broader client base.
- Get entrepreneurial training: The business side of things can be overwhelming. Completing our Business of Sexuality Specialists (BOSS) certification means you’ll learn everything about starting and growing your business, from attracting and retaining clients to setting up prices and managing business finances.
How to become a sex coach
There are two main steps involved in becoming a certified sex coach.
1. Choose a certification program
First, you must research to find the right certification program. Make sure reputable organizations in sexology, coaching, and therapy accredit the program. This ensures you choose a program that meets educational and ethical standards.
Evaluate the program’s curriculum to ensure it’s comprehensive and will equip you with all the skills you need to become a successful sex coach. The program should cover a range of topics, including, but not limited to:
- Sexual health
- Relationship dynamics
- Coaching techniques
- Ethical practices
- Business foundations
You’ll want to consider the program format to make sure it fits your needs and time requirements. Programs are offered online, in person, or in hybrid style.
You must also check the program’s track record by researching the success rates of its graduates and examining the instructors’ backgrounds and experiences to ensure they’re qualified.
2. Complete training and education
Regardless of your chosen program, you’ll be required to attend your courses, workshops, and seminars. You’ll also be given assignments and exams to complete.
Some programs, like Sex Coach U’s Certified Sex Coach™ Program, offer opportunities to submit your workbooks and complete an assessed practicum.
You’ll obtain your certificate once you complete your SAR, workbooks and practicum successfully.
Why choose Sex Coach U for your sex coach certification?
Sex Coach U is the original sex coach certification program, founded by Dr. Patti Britton, who’s also the founder of sex coaching as a profession.
The term “Certified Sex Coach” is trademarked by Sex Coach U, meaning only individuals who complete the Certified Sex Coach™ program can have this title.
Our programs are recognized and respected globally, thanks in part to our affiliations with prestigious bodies such as the World Association for Sexual Health, the American Board of Sexology, and the Association of Somatic and Integrative Sexologists.
Here are some main benefits of getting your certification from Sex Coach U:
1. Access foundational training materials online at your own pace
The Certified Sex Coach™ Program is equivalent to a Masters. Graduates can use our Certification as a Masters equivalent and apply to IICS’ PhD program. Our program encompasses over 500 hours of online training. It includes online courses and workbooks that need to be submitted.
This program is unique because it incorporates Dr. Patti’s signature MEBES® System in addition to business training and sexology.
MEBES® integrates rigorous academic training with practical coaching techniques, ensuring you get a deep understanding of sexual wellness from both theoretical and practical points of view.
This model is specifically designed to empower you to turn your passion for sexual wellness into a lucrative and fulfilling career.
2. Different study options
You can take part in the Certified Sex Coach™ Program in two ways:
- Experienced Practitioner Track: For qualified therapists, coaches, and health professionals who already have client experience and want to add sex coaching to their existing practice. You’ll move through the foundational training at your own pace, complete the supervised practicum, and connect with the community online — without the additional live commitments. Best if you already know how to hold a client session and don’t need the scaffolding.
- SCU Core Certified Sex Coach™ Track: For people building a sex coaching practice from the ground up, or anyone who learns better with real support around them. You get everything in the Experienced Practitioner Track, plus regular live group coaching, mentorship, and peer practice sessions. You’ll also join the SCU Book Club, get the webinar library with guest experts, and be assigned a Student Advisor for personalized guidance throughout.
This means you can choose how you pursue your certification to still meet your other commitments.
3. The option to add advanced business training
While the Certified Sex Coach™ Program does cover foundational business practices, you can gain advanced business skills by bundling the program with our Business of Sexuality Specialists (BOSS) Program.
The BOSS Program’s 13 comprehensive courses teach you everything you need to know about business and marketing.
With the SCU Core Track, the BOSS Program is already included — so you get the sexual health training and the business education together in one package.
If you’re on the Experienced Practitioner Track, you can add the BOSS Program separately. Either way, you finish with both the clinical skill and the business foundation to build a practice that actually sustains you.
4. Supportive community
SCU fosters a diverse and inclusive community and offers ongoing support so graduates can make a meaningful impact on sexual wellness.
Our community is one where inclusion and innovation are celebrated, providing a network of like-minded individuals and mentors who encourage you and offer guidance.
Get ready for the ultimate transformative journey with a leader in the field of sexual education, where you’ll get all the tools and support you need on your path to becoming a certified sex coach.
Learn more about the Experienced Practitioner and SCU Core Tracks.
How much does it cost to get your sex coach certification from Sex Coach U?
We recommend most students enroll in the SCU Core Certified Sex Coach™ Track ($10,497, or $597/month over 18 months). It’s the fullest version of the training: self-paced study backed by regular live sessions, peer coaching practice, a Student Advisor for personalized guidance, and the BOSS business training included at no extra cost. If you’re building a sex coaching practice from the ground up, this is the path that gets you there.
If you’re already a licensed or clinically trained professional — a therapist, healthcare provider, or coach with direct client experience — the Experienced Practitioner Track ($6,997, or $597/month over 12 months) is a faster, more affordable route. It covers the full SCU curriculum with live webinars, business launch tools, and the peer community, but without the ongoing live support structure. You can add the BOSS Program separately ($3,397, or $297/month over 12 months) for the complete business and marketing training.
| Program | Best for | Cost | Payment plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| SCU Core Certified Sex Coach™ Track (BOSS included) | Building a practice from the ground up | $10,497 | $597/month over 18 months |
| Experienced Practitioner Track | Licensed or clinically trained professionals | $6,997 | $597/month over 12 months |
| BOSS Program (add-on) | Experienced Practitioner students who want business training | $3,397 | $297/month over 12 months |
Learn more about the different Program costs and bundles here.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the difference between sex coaching and sex therapy?
Both sex coaching and sex therapy involve discussions about sexuality and intimate relationships. But, while a sex coach focuses on enhancing sexual satisfaction, a certified sex therapist focuses more on addressing emotional and psychological issues in a relationship that has an impact on sexual function.
You can learn more about the difference between sex coaching and therapy here.
What’s the difference between a sex coach and a sexologist?
Sex coaches help individuals and couples improve sexual experiences, relationships, and overall sexual wellness. On the other hand, sexologists study human sexuality from a scientific perspective and do well in fields such as research, academia, and clinical practice.
Pursue your sex coach certification with Sex Coach U
Becoming a Certified Sex Coach becomes so much easier when you’re backed by a leader in the industry, such as Sex Coach U. Our program equips you with all the skills, knowledge, tools, and support you need on your journey to start your own sex coaching practice.
Learn more about the Certified Sex Coach™ Program from Sex Coach U.
