CEU Courses
CBS & CBS-C PROGRAM
The Certified Behavioral Sexologist (CBS) program is the FIRST behavior analytic program of its kind, brought to you by CEUs by Study Notes ABA & Empowered a Center for Sexuality.
A Note from our Co-Director Nicholas Maio-Aether:


“Empowered: a Center for Sexuality, is the first behavior analytic agency to focus entirely on sexuality and gender. CEUs by Study Notes ABA and Empowered share the same vision of bettering our field through individual empowerment, support, connection, and education.
The goal of our CBS & CBS-C programs is to allow more people to have access to skills that will help them to address sexual behavior, sociosexual behavior, and gender-related concerns through ABA methodology.
We know this niche area of the field of ABA is essential, so it is very, very exciting to see how many people in the field of ABA really want to do this work or at least want to know more about it.
I thank you. Everyone who is here, checking out this page of the website, dipping your toes into this niche of our field, and joining us in our mission to be the best providers we can be to clients across ages, diagnoses, genders, and so much more”
The Deets
This program is a direct path for Behavior-Analytic professionals to develop Sexological Competencies! This is a two-level program with two-separate certificate options. Note: Level 1 MUST be completed prior to Level 2. Please refer to the Program Manual)
Each course under this program will be facilitated by Behavior Analysts and Sexological Professionals. We make sure that EVERY course in this program is co-taught and/or developed with BCBAs® to ensure you get BACB® CEU credit. Learn more about each instructor here.
Here's the best part... this is on your own time! A "go as you go" if you will! That's right, no deposits, no credit card holds, and no subscriptions. Take the courses at the times you've got the time.
Up to you! This program has been developed so that you can learn when works for you. Many of our courses are already available as recorded (i.e., asynchronous) options with more to come! We will have live events as well, be sure to look out for those. No stress if you miss a live event we will have them available as an asynchronous option later!
Our goal is to provide a quality training program for behavior professionals that truly demonstrates competency in the understanding of sexual behavior.
We can’t wait to have you! FIRST check out our program flow page here. Be sure to sign up by registering for the courses on the website (yes you will have to make an account!). We will provide all the instructions in each course, in addition to, how to get CEU credit (if you are attending for BACB® CEUs).
CBS & CBS-C Courses
Courses that are currently available are linked below by level. You can click the titles to see a specific course. We are working hard to get all of these courses available for you so if you see a course not yet added hang tight!
- Ethics In Addressing Sexual Behavior* FIRST-course requirement, you MUST complete this course before any others in the program.*
- ACTraining for Sexual Impulsivity
- Running Sexual Bx & Skills Assessments (SSKAAT-R Version)
- Building and Delivering a Treatment Plan for Sexual Behavior
- Sociosexual Behaviors Across the Lifespan
- Utilization of ACT methodology to assist with arousal-related sensory overload in Autistic clients
- Get Out of Your Mind and Into Your Body: An ACT Approach to Sex
- Learning Theory for BCBAs: The Giver as a Framework
- Sexual Behaviors in the Digital Age
- Sex Education and Toilet Training? Yes, you can do both!
- A right to Pleasure: Access to sex toys for all
- Preference Assessments -- But Make it Sexy
- Addressing Sex Education in Caregiving Training: Meeting the needs of all stakeholders
- Littles, Middles, and Bigs oh my!: Getting BCBAs Acquainted with Adult Babies & Diaper-Lovers/ABDLs
- Affirming Sexual and Gender Orientations Through ABA Methodology
- Anal Masturbation, Autism, and ID/DD
- Vulva Masturbation, Autism, and ID/DD
- Gaming for Sociosexual Intimacy Skills
- Values Clarifications without Imposition or Bias
- The Great Porn Debate
Courses Coming Soon
- Growing Up Queer
- Cultural Humility
- Use of Film & Television for Perspective Taking
- RPGs for Affirming, Exploring and Learning About Kinks
- Behavior-Analytic Instruction of Anatomy
- Relevant Sexological Findings from Non-ABA Research
- SBA Research -- Dos & Don'ts from the Literature
- Trauma Work for Sexual and Gender Minorities
- Accessing Adult-Only Locales for Behavior-Analytic Instruction
- Solo Sex Shaping - Penile
- Assisting Parents to Relabel their Children Away from their Behaviors
- Challenges in Establishing Medical Necessity Re: SBA
Level 2 - Certified Behavioral Sexologist for Common Concerns and Couples (CBS-C)
- Will I Lose My Dignity? ABA for HIV: a Powerful need for a Powerful Therapy
- Intro to Psychotherapies for the BCBA
- Increasing the Likelihood of Clitoral Orgasms
- Countertransference - Using Behavior Analysis to Make Sense of Something Other Fields Recognize #live
- Cultural Competency: Separating Behavior from Populations (MAPs VS CSA) #live
- When Your Client Comes Onto You #live
- Working with Victims & Offenders: Ethical Considerations #live
- PNP/Chemsex and Behavioral Challenges
- Aiding in Trans and Gender Nonconforming Clients in their Transitions
- Sensate Focus for Couples
- Pups, Furries and Ponies -- Oh My!
- Polyamory: Compersion and Other Behavioral Skills
- Having "the Talk" with Adults
- Pedophilia Diagnosis VS Childhood Sex Abuse/CSA
- Impacts of Pharmaceuticals on Sexual Functioning
- Real VS Perceived Addictions
- Sensate Focus for Individuals
- Benefits of Using Language from Attachment Theory
- Joining - A Vital Skill That Goes Beyond Simply “Pairing”
More Deets
CBS & CBS-C FAQ
Ahh yes, more acronyms - sorry not sorry! When creating this program we wanted to enc
- CBS = Certified Behavioral Sexologist
- CBS-C = Certified Behavioral Sexologist for Common Concerns and Couples (we wanted to spare you the extra "Cs")
The difference?
- CBS (i.e., Level 1) - is really focused on meeting the needs of behavior analysts who are working in autism or intellectual disability settings. It's not autism-specific, but all of these skills should be relevant to people working in autistic frameworks of any kind, and intellectual disability frameworks of any kind. These are really basic, but also important skills that we need to have. They are different from the skills you will develop in Level 2.
- CBS-C (i.e., Level 2) - you'd be working more in the neurotypical population. Individuals, couples, and Polycoms (that's a group of people all dating each other). These populations require a lot of training and finesse. So this is another level of courses, learning, and it requires another practicum.
Great question!
The CBS/CBS-C Program is one that was created by our program Co-Founder Nicholas Maio-Aether, MAMFT, MSPSY, LBA, CSC, BCBA. Nicholas realized that as professionals in behavior analysis, there are often areas we (behavior analytic professionals) are not fully competent in, but are oftentimes asked to treat or consult on. This is when Nicholas' "alarm bells" started to go off. How can we make a place and a program where behavior analysts can go to start to become competent? That is how the CBS/CBS-C program was born. We hope you enjoy it!
HELLL to the no - there is not a certificate that is better than or worse than another here. It is just truly what YOU are looking for out of your behavior analytic practice.
If you are enjoying your work relevant to people working in autistic frameworks of any kind, and intellectual disability frameworks of any kind and you have no interest in working with more "neurotypical" populations Level 1 sounds like it would be just right for you.
If you are looking to branch into your application for ABA outside of autism/intellectual disability than our Level 2 (CBS-C) certificate may be better suited for you. Don't forget in order to move to Level 2 you MUST FIRST COMPLETE Level 1 in its entirety.
This program, itself, is not endorsed or sponsored by the BACB®. It is intended to demonstrate competency and compliance with the BACB® (2020) Code of Ethics when addressing sexual or sociosexual behaviors, including working with members of the LGBTQIA+ community and developing socially-valid behaviors or teaching about puberty. This program does result in BACB® Learning CEUs, so even though it is not BACB®-endorsed. All students are certified ABA professionals, so it is assumed that students have a basic understanding of the code. CEUs by Study Notes ABA LLC is an Authorized Continuing Education Provider (ACE) approved by the BACB® to offer continuing education (#OP-20-3183).
The program has 3 main components:
1. CEU Content - Hosted on the CEUs by Study Notes ABA website, taken at self-pace. You will have the opportunity to earn BACB® CEUs from an ACE Provider in this portion.
2. Supervised Practicum - Supervision meetings at 10% of total hours once engaging in work with sexual and/or sociosexual behaviors
3. Sexuality-focused Experiences Evaluation (SEE) - In-person mandatory 2-day training. Think of this as an extension/addition to your supervised practicum or your capstone of the program. You will have the opportunity to earn BACB® CEUs from an ACE Provider in this portion.
We HIGHLY recommend you review our Program Manual (HERE) to see more information and the requirements of each component.
Level 1: TOTAL Cost $2800
- CEU Requirements
- $1,800
- SEE (- room & board)
- $500
- Group Supervision
- $500
- Individual Supervision
- --
Level 2: TOTAL Cost $1900
- CEU Requirements
- $900
- SEE (- room & board)
- --
- Group Supervision
- $250
- Individual Supervision
- 750
**Please Note: Level 2 requires completion of Level 1 FIRST and thus comes to a GRAND total of $4700**
1. CEU Content - Right here! All program courses are hosted on the CEUs by Study Notes ABA website. Please always double-check that your courses meet the requirements for the level you are looking to certify in. You can do this by looking to see the "tag" in a product, or by finding Level 1 Courses here, and Level 2 Courses here. You will have the opportunity to earn BACB® CEUs from an ACE Provider in this portion.
2. Supervised Practicum - This will be run by Empowered: A Center for Sexuality (i.e., Nicolas and Team). Please email nicholas.maio@empoweredcenter.com to set this up.
3. Sexuality-focused Experiences Evaluation (SEE) - In-person mandatory 2-day training. This will be run by Empowered: A Center for Sexuality (i.e., Nicolas and Team). Please email nicholas.maio@empoweredcenter.com to set this up. You will have the opportunity to earn BACB® CEUs from an ACE Provider in this portion.
We HIGHLY recommend you review our Program Manual (HERE) to see more information and the requirements of each component.
- SBA = Sexual Behavior Analysis
- The sub-field of sexological behavior through a behavior analytic lens. This field of study allows for sexological behaviors to be studied, taught, and understood through the science of behavior analysis, which is a different approach than other adjacent fields (i.e., Marriage and Family Therapy, Psychology, and AASECT Certified Sex Therapy).
- CBS = Certified Behavioral Sexologist | CBS-C = Certified Behavioral Sexologist for Common Concerns and Couples.
- A specific program created by CEUs by Study Notes ABA & Empowered: A Center for Sexuality. The certificate program and certificate to be earned provide coursework, supervision, and training to increase the skills of behavior-analytic professionals looking to develop skills in this area.
- Note: Any behavior analytic professional is of course encouraged to and welcome to take all of the classes to learn more. Please know the only way to earn the certificate is to complete ALL 3 Parts (Coursework, SEE, Supervision Experience) of this program.
- Additionally, please note that NOT all courses under our SBA category fulfill this program's requirements. Be sure to double-check prior to purchasing!
Great Question!
This program can take as little as 10 months or as many as 2 years to complete all 3 components of the program: CEU Coursework, Supervised Practicum, and Sexuality-focused Experiences Evaluation (SEE).
This program is made for busy behavior analysts, by busy behavior analysts so we #getit. This is why we've created this program as a "go as you go" structure. You can start, stop and/or pause this program at any time. Want to learn more about the specifics of the program? Please refer to our Program Manual here.
Note: If more than 2 years have passed since the start of a certificate level, some course content may need to be retaken for updates (ethical, procedural, empirical). Please reach out via our "Contact Us" or email ceu@studynotesaba.com for more specific details.
Technically? Yes, you could take this program! We want to emphasize that it will do slightly different things for you than it would for a BCBA® (or LBA in some cases). For example, a BCBA® can operate independently upon completion of this program, while other certifications require oversight from a certified individual. Meaning, that if you are not certified as a BCBA® or BCBA-D® (i.e., you hold an RBT® or BCaBA® certification) you would still require oversight from a BCBA® upon completion of this program. The CBS/CBS-C certification is a SUB-field certification designed for the sub-field of SBA it does NOT lead to licensure of its own. Thus to practice with this certification, you'd have to be a BCBA® or BCaBA® via the BACB® and/or certified in your particular state as a Licensed Behavior Analyst.
However, all of that is not to discourage anyone from beginning this program! For example, if you have no plans for BCBA® certification, you can still become an asset at your agency, clinic, or other placement. You may even find yourself as the resident “sex-pert!” This may be particularly beneficial if you practice at a place that services teens, or young adults.
- Always remember that taking a CEU, even a multi-hour CEU is NOT enough to demonstrate competency in the content related to the CEU. It is YOUR responsibility to seek out supervision/consultation with the presenter and/or a subject matter expert (SME).
- SMEs for Sexual Behavior Analysis (SBA) can be found here.
- We want to be 1000000% clear that while these courses will do a ton of the "heavy lifting" for you to expand your knowledge, at the end of the day, it is up to YOU and you alone to know exactly how much more expanding you personally need in order to incorporate this into your practice. Meaning, you may have to continue to research topics/concepts by yourself (on your own time) to feel as though you have a better grasp of what was taught in a CEU Course.
- Note:
- In the event that you attempt any skills presented in this CEU for which you have not done the above steps, you may be in violation of the Ethical Code for Behavior Analysts.
- This certification is a SUB-field certification designed for the sub-field of SBA it does NOT lead to licensure of its own. Thus to practice with this certification, you'd have to be a BCBA® or BCaBA® via the BACB® and/or certified in your particular state as a Licensed Behavior Analyst.
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Note: *This program, itself, is not endorsed or sponsored by the BACB®* It is intended to demonstrate competency and compliance with the BACB® (2020) Code of Ethics when addressing sexual or sociosexual behaviors, including working with members of the LGBTQIA+ community and developing socially-valid behaviors, or teaching about puberty. This program does result in BACB® Learning CEUs, so even though it is not BACB®-endorsed. All students are certified ABA professionals, so it is assumed that students have a basic understanding of the code. CEUs by Study Notes ABA LLC is an Authorized Continuing Education Provider (ACE) approved by the BACB® to offer continuing education (#OP-20-3183). The CBS/CBS-C certification is a SUB-field certification designed for the sub-field of SBA it does NOT lead to licensure of its own. Thus to practice with this certification, you'd have to be a BCBA® or BCaBA® via the BACB® and/or certified in your particular state as a Licensed Behavior Analyst.