Another productive and inspiring weekend at the BHIDAPA Academy for Psychotherapy. The module “Taking a Sexual History and the First Interview” has just concluded, designed for the first-generation trainees of the specialist program in sexual health, therapy, and counseling. Under the expert guidance of Prof. Dr. Sc. Aleksandar Štulhofer, a sociologist, gestalt psychotherapist, and sexual therapist with extensive international experience, the trainees enhanced their knowledge and skills through lectures, interactive demonstrations, live supervision, and experiential reflection, focusing on ethical, sensitive, and scientifically grounded data collection on the sexual health of individuals and couples.
The module covered fundamental concepts of sexual health, strategies for establishing a safe space and informed consent, and exercises aimed at recognizing personal attitudes and potential biases. The supervision segment involved analyzing examples from clinical practice with professionally guided feedback, while reflection and discussion further emphasized the importance of continuous professional development and consistent ethical conduct.
The practical work enabled the trainees to expand their competencies in conducting structured interviews, taking a detailed sexual history, and forming initial therapeutic strategies tailored to clients. A deeper understanding of the anamnesis structure and diagnostic tools connected the emotional, biological, and psychosocial aspects of sexual health and strengthened the application of relevant ethical and legal guidelines. This multi-layered approach to evaluation allows for a comprehensive assessment of theoretical knowledge, clinical skills, and professional attitude.
We sincerely thank Professor Štulhofer for his inspiring leadership and all the trainees for their dedication and for sharing their experiences. This weekend was a valuable step forward in strengthening the knowledge and competencies for providing professional, empathetic, and effective support to clients.
