The Passion & Presence® Certificate Training is designed primarily for helping professionals—such as therapists, couples therapists, counselors, healthcare providers, and coaches.
If you are not a licensed professional, please be aware that additional training or credentials may be required to ethically and legally practice sex therapy with couples. It is your responsibility to stay informed about, and comply with, the professional and legal guidelines specific to your region or field.

Even seasoned sexologists, sex therapists, and clinicians will find value in this training. It offers experiential methods for uncovering unconscious barriers to pleasure and self-expression—tools that go beyond traditional talk therapy. Practitioners who wish to deepen their work within a mindful, present-centered paradigm will appreciate the emphasis on awareness, embodiment, and exploration, rather than diagnosis or treatment.

This program equips you to address many common sexual issues that arise in long-term relationships. However, it does not cover treatment for out-of-control sexual behaviors (commonly referred to as “sex addiction”) or certain medical and pain-related conditions such as genito-pelvic pain/penetration disorder or erectile difficulties.

Yes, you will learn valuable techniques and a perspective on sexuality that can enhance your work with individual clients. However, please note that most practice sessions involve role-playing as a therapist working with two partners, reflecting the program’s focus on issues that primarily arise in long-term relationships.

We ask applicants to apply so we can ensure a strong fit between what you’re looking to learn and what this training offers. The application process helps us understand your goals, how you plan to practice the skills outside of class, and whether our mindful, experiential approach aligns with your values and professional path.

Hakomi’s principles, skills, and spirit are a foundational influence on the Passion and Presence® approach. For this reason, if you have not previously trained in Hakomi Mindful Somatic Psychotherapy, you will be required to complete and confirm participation in a Hakomi Introductory Workshop before beginning the Passion and Presence training.

Click here to find upcoming workshops.

This training is a significant time commitment and is not self-paced. On average, you should plan to dedicate 11–15 hours per month (approximately 3 hours per week) to the program. This includes:

• One or two live, virtual classes per month (each 4.5 hours; up to 9 hours total)
• A monthly mandatory 3-hour “Home Group” session for practice and reflection
• 2–3 hours of additional reading, listening to recordings, or integration work


Please carefully consider your availability before applying.

This is a live, synchronous virtual training consisting of 33 real-time classes, supplemented by recorded video and audio content from Maci and other experts.
While classes are recorded for review, consistent live attendance is essential. Many key learning experiences—such as breakout groups and experiential exercises—can only be accessed during the live sessions.

Yes, all classes are recorded. If you miss a session, you are expected to watch the recording and recreate the practice session on your own—ideally with a practice couple or peer. Many key learning experiences—such as breakout groups and experiential exercises—can only happen during live sessions, so regular attendance is essential.
We recognize that life events—such as weddings, family reunions, or illness—can occasionally prevent attendance. For this reason, you may miss up to six live classes (or 24 hours) over the course of the program if you want to receive a certificate of completion. In all cases, you are responsible for making up the missed content and completing the experiential work independently.

You will have lifetime access to the training materials and recordings, provided you complete the program. If you withdraw before finishing the training, your access to the learning portal will be discontinued unless you have paid in full.

Home Groups offer a supportive and consistent space to explore your personal responses to the course material throughout the program. These peer gatherings foster deeper connections with group members and provide a reliable place to “land” between segments. You’ll also use this time to practice the interventions introduced in the course with your Home Group peers. These practice sessions are a vital part of building confidence and developing proficiency in applying the Passion and Presence model with clients.

If you need to miss a Home Group session, please notify your group leader in advance. If more than one member will be absent, the group should consider rescheduling to ensure enough participants are present for meaningful practice.
While you may miss up to six Home Group sessions throughout the training and still qualify for a certificate of completion, we strongly encourage you to attend every session, as these meetings focus on processing the material, personal discoveries, and practicing specific interventions.

Upon successful completion of the program and meeting all requirements, you may call yourself a Passion & Presence® Practitioner. To become a Certified Passion & Presence® Practitioner, you must:

• Verify that you are a mental health professional, sex therapist, sex educator or coach, counseling or social work graduate student, or medical professional.
• Complete the entire program.
• Adhere to the attendance policy.
• Participate in a minimum of three 1:1 case consultation sessions with Maci (additional fee applies).
• Submit session write-ups detailing your experience using the Passion & Presence® approach with three couples.

Yes. We offer a 15% tuition reduction for BIPOC participants. You may request this scholarship as part of your application process.

Licensed helping professionals may be eligible to earn CE credits through this program. Please consult your local licensing board or regulatory body to determine whether they accept continuing education credits from AASECT-approved programs for license renewal.

A one-time fee of $175 is required for participants who wish to receive CE credits. This fee must be paid prior to the start of the program.
To receive a certificate of completion for each of the 12 segments, participants must complete both an evaluation and a quiz for each segment.

Disclaimer: Completion of this program does not guarantee AASECT certification. To become a Certified Sex Therapist, additional coursework, practice hours, and 50 hours of supervision with an AASECT-certified supervisor are required. For more information, please contact info@aasect.org.
Note: You must be an active AASECT member from the beginning of the program to apply these credits toward certification.


Unfortunately, no. The case consultations with Maci do not count toward the AASECT supervision hours. You will need to work with an AASECT-Certified supervisor to fulfill that requirement.

1. Once you’re accepted into the program, you’ll be asked to submit a non-refundable $750 holding deposit to secure your spot. After that:
2. You’ll sign a Financial Agreement Form, indicating whether you’ll pay in full or choose a payment plan.
3. You’ll sign an Enrollment Agreement, which outlines participation guidelines and expectations.

Once we receive both signed agreements, you’ll receive access to the online portal and a copy of the course book will be mailed to you, along with instructions to help you get started.

We recognize that many participants may have a history of trauma, and we strive to create a safe, respectful learning environment. However, because the course includes reading, viewing, and discussing sexual and erotic material, it could be triggering for some.


If you feel you might be triggered, we recommend waiting until you are further along in your healing journey before enrolling. If you’re uncertain, please reach out so we can schedule a conversation to discuss your situation and determine the best path forward.
At a minimum, you will need a personal therapist or support person available to help you process any difficult emotions that arise during the training.

Please note that the holding deposit and application fee are non-refundable.
You may receive a partial refund if you withdraw by the end of the second segment of the training.

After August 10, 2026, no refunds will be issued.
We encourage you to carefully review our Financial Terms and Conditions to fully understand our refund policies.


Additionally, if you choose to withdraw, your access to the online learning portal will be discontinued.