The title and how it is regulated
Hong Kong licenses doctors through the Medical Council but has no statutory registration for psychologists or counsellors; clinical psychologists appear on registers accredited under the government's voluntary scheme. “Sex therapist” is an unregulated term. The Hong Kong Association of Sexuality Educators, Researchers and Therapists (HKASERT) certifies sex therapists and sex educators after training and supervised practice, and is the local reference.
The Family Planning Association of Hong Kong offers a sexual-difficulty counselling and therapy service at subsidised fees, alongside its clinical services — the most accessible entry point for couples and individuals. Hospital Authority clinics in psychiatry, urology and gynaecology see patients by referral at the standard subsidised charges for eligible persons, with long waits for non-urgent conditions. Social welfare and family service centres offer counselling free of charge, though rarely specialised.
Privately, clinical psychologists, counsellors and doctors trained in sex therapy charge roughly 1,000 to 2,500 dollars a session. There is no public reimbursement of private therapy; some employer insurance plans include outpatient psychological consultations, according to the policy.
Training is mostly obtained overseas or through HKASERT's own programme; several practitioners hold AASECT or Australian sexology credentials.
Key points
| Title | Unregulated; psychologists on accredited voluntary registers |
|---|---|
| Regulated profession nearby | Doctors (Medical Council of Hong Kong) |
| Reference association | HKASERT: certified sex therapists and educators |
| Subsidised service | Family Planning Association sexual-difficulty counselling and therapy |
| Public hospitals | Psychiatry, urology, gynaecology by referral, subsidised, long waits |
| Private cost | About 1,000–2,500 dollars a session |
In practice
- Start with the Family Planning Association if cost or discretion matters: it is subsidised and specialised.
- Check HKASERT certification and, for psychologists, the accredited register.
- Ask a general practitioner or a public general outpatient clinic for referral to Hospital Authority specialists when a medical cause is suspected.
- Check employer insurance for outpatient psychological benefits.
Cost and reimbursement
Family Planning Association: subsidised fees. Hospital Authority: standard subsidised charges by referral. Private: 1,000–2,500 dollars a session, out of pocket unless insurance applies.
What has changed recently
The government's accredited-register scheme for healthcare professions has extended to clinical psychologists, without making registration compulsory. No change is planned for sex therapy.
Where to go
- Family Planning Association of Hong Kong: sexual-difficulty counselling and therapy.
- HKASERT: certified sex therapists.
- Hospital Authority specialist outpatient clinics by referral.
- Medical Council of Hong Kong: register of doctors.
Worth knowing
Advertising for sex therapy is unregulated; treat guaranteed results and product sales as warnings. The Family Planning Association and HKASERT certification are the reliable markers.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a regulated sex therapist in Hong Kong?
No. Doctors are licensed; psychologists sit on voluntary accredited registers; HKASERT certifies sex therapists privately.
Is there an affordable service?
Yes, the Family Planning Association's sexual-difficulty service at subsidised fees, and Hospital Authority clinics by referral.
Does insurance pay?
Not the public system. Some employer plans include outpatient psychological consultations; check the policy.
Official sources and links
- Family Planning Association of Hong Kong — sexual-difficulty counselling and therapy service
- Medical Council of Hong Kong — register of doctors
- GovHK — official government portal