Institute of Sexology

The Midwest Institute of Sexology started as a small idea that grew into something bigger than anyone expected. A few people sitting around a table talking about what was missing in the field of sexual health. Too much shame. Too little real information. Too many people struggling alone with questions they felt they could not ask anyone.

So we decided to build something different. Not a cold academic institution hidden behind heavy doors. Not a clinic where you feel like a number on a chart. But a place where real conversations could happen. Where someone could walk in feeling confused or scared and leave feeling like they were not broken after all.

That is what the Institute became. A place where we train professionals who want to do this work the right way. Where we see individuals and couples who need help. Where we do research that actually matters to real people, not just for publication lists.

What We Do

Clinical Services
We see individuals, couples, and families. People come to us for many reasons. Some have been carrying the same weight for decades and finally decided to put it down. Some are in relationships that feel like they are falling apart and do not know how to fix them. Some just want to understand themselves better. We do not judge. We do not push. We listen and we help.

Educational Programs
We train the next generation of sexologists. Our certificate program in Sexology and Human Relations gives students a solid foundation in the science of human sexuality. We also offer workshops, seminars, and continuing education for professionals who want to add sexual health to their existing practice. Therapists, doctors, social workers, educators. Anyone who works with people needs to understand sexuality. Most never learned it in school. We fix that.

Research
We study what works. Not just in laboratories with perfect conditions, but in real life with real people. Our research focuses on sexual satisfaction, relationship dynamics, treatment effectiveness, and the many ways people find pleasure and connection. We share what we learn through publications, presentations, and free resources on this website.

Our Approach

We believe sexuality is a natural and healthy part of being human. But we also know that many people grow up with messages that say the opposite. Shame gets passed down through families. Fear gets taught in schools. Silence becomes a habit. Breaking those patterns takes time and safety.

Our approach is simple. We meet people where they are. We do not expect anyone to have all the answers. We do not push anyone to change faster than they are ready. We provide accurate information, compassionate support, and practical tools. And we trust that each person knows more about their own life than we ever could.

For professionals, we offer training that combines academic rigor with real world experience. You will learn the science, yes. But you will also learn how to sit with someone who is hurting. How to ask the right questions. How to create safety. How to help without taking over. These skills cannot be learned from books alone. That is why our programs include mentorship and supervised practice.

History of the Institute

The Midwest Institute of Sexology was founded in the late 1990s by Dr. Barnaby B. Barratt. At that time, there were very few places in the Midwest where someone could go for quality sex therapy or comprehensive sex education. Most people had to travel to the coasts or go without help entirely.

Dr. Barratt saw this gap and decided to fill it. He brought together a team of experienced clinicians and educators who shared his vision. Together, they built a center that offered therapy, training, and research all under one roof.

Over the years, the Institute has trained dozens of professionals and helped hundreds of individuals and couples. Our graduates work in clinics, private practices, hospitals, and universities across the country. Many have gone on to start their own programs and training centers.

In recent years, the Institute has expanded its reach through online education and remote consultations. We now serve people in many states, not just Michigan. The world has changed, and we have changed with it. But our core mission remains the same. To promote sexual health, healing, and happiness for all people.

Our Faculty and Staff

Our team includes licensed psychotherapists, certified sex therapists, sexuality educators, and researchers. Each of us brings different strengths and perspectives. But we all share a commitment to doing good work with integrity and care.

Dr. Barnaby B. Barratt is the founder and director of the Institute. He holds doctorates from Harvard University and the Institute for Advanced Study of Human Sexuality. He is a Fellow of the American Psychological Association and a past President of the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists.

Dr. Myrtle Charisse Means completed her doctorate in clinical psychology with research on sexual satisfaction and female development. She specializes in helping individuals and couples with sexual concerns and has worked in hospital and university clinic settings.

Theresa Callard-Moore, MSW is an AASECT certified sexuality educator and sex therapist. She has been providing psychotherapy to individuals, couples, and groups for many years and has been on our faculty since 1998.

We also work with a network of affiliated professionals across the country. When someone needs help we cannot provide, we find someone who can.

For Professionals

If you are a therapist, doctor, nurse, social worker, counselor, or educator, you know that sexuality comes up in your work every day. But most professional training programs spend very little time on this topic. You might feel unprepared when a client asks a question about sex. Or you might avoid the topic entirely because you are not sure what to say.

Our training programs can help. We offer a certificate program in Sexology and Human Relations that covers all the major areas of human sexuality. You can complete it at your own pace through home study. Many of our graduates have used this program to build confidence and competence in their work.

We also offer continuing education workshops on specific topics. Everything from basic sexual anatomy to the treatment of sexual dysfunction to ethical issues in sex therapy. These workshops are available in person and online.

If you are interested in becoming a certified sex therapist or sexuality educator, we can help you understand the requirements and find the supervision you need.

Location and Contact

The Institute is located in Farmington Hills, Michigan. We serve clients from across the Detroit metropolitan area and from around the state. For those who cannot travel to us, we offer telephone and video consultations.

If you would like to learn more about our services or training programs, please reach out. We try to respond to all inquiries within one business day.