NAOS Advanced Diploma in Psychosexual and Relationship Psychotherapy

Psychosexual and Relationship Psychotherapy
The NAOS Institute has been at the forefront of sex and relationship therapy training since 1989 when Bernd Leygraf and Judi Keshet-Orr collaborated in establishing the UK’s first Masters programme in this discipline. Together, Bernd and Judi (and faculty colleagues) have been consistently setting the standard in this work. We graduated around 2000 practitioners in over 40 countries, worldwide, having been “the leading training provider in the field” (Ext Exam 2024).
In 2025, having admitted 50 new trainees to the London Diploma, this joint work of Judi and Bernd will come to a close once the LD trainees have graduated.
Bernd, together with a refreshed faculty and course directorship team, will continue this work through the NAOS Institute from the end of 2025 onwards.
We invite applications to our revised two-year part time psychosexual and relationship psychotherapy training, to commence early in 2026, over 2 days per month.

For a brief bio of Bernd see here.

The NAOS Advanced Diploma in Psychosexual and Relationship Psychotherapy
This Diploma shall be accredited by COSRT under the directorship of Bernd Leygraf, Dermot Kelly and Effie Soultani. For the full faculty team see below.
It takes place in-room in London on Sundays and on-zoom on Mondays once a month and trainees will commence clinical work under supervision at the end of the first year. We have made great efforts to draw on international academic, clinical or lived experience and therefor faculty members represent a wide range of cultures and backgrounds. Five are university professors, several have a doctorate.

Placements
There are three options to accrue the required 150 hrs of clinical practice:

• Through a clinical placement in the UK, Europe or further afield. 30% must be in person. We have in the region of 200 places, NHS, voluntary or third sector
• By sourcing your own placement at work or elsewhere. We audit all new placements
• Using your private practice, having been permitted to do so by your supervisor

Entry requirements

• Completed counselling, psychotherapy, counselling or clinical psychology qualification, no less than 300 hrs
• Ability to study at level 7
• Professional reference

Assessment

• A ‘Three critical incidents’ reflective essay, 5000 words
• One research project 5000 words
• One case study 5000 words
• 3 supervisors reports, 1000 words reflective essay, non-assessed

Additional requirements:

• Student membership COSRT during the training
• Personal therapy
• 1.5 hrs per month supervision, during year 2, ratio 1:6

Application, interviewing and student selection process

• Applicants must complete the electronic application form (here)
• All applicants will be interviewed by one of the course directors and may be offered a space subject to references
• Upon receipt of the initial deposit of £300 the space is confirmed

Upon course completion
Graduates are immediately given access to registration with COSRT. Those who wish to progress to accreditation are required to complete another year