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Sexology & Psychotherapy Applied Research Centre (SPARC)

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About SPARC

Advancing evidence-informed practice through ethically governed applied research

The Sexology and Psychotherapy Applied Research Centre (SPARC) is a specialist applied research centre hosted within the Institute of Psychosexual Psychotherapy. It provides research infrastructure for practitioners across psychotherapy, counselling, psychology, psychosexual therapy, clinical and forensic sexology, and related disciplines.

SPARC supports practitioner-led applied research that strengthens evidence-informed practice while maintaining robust, transparent ethical governance informed by UKRIO principles and the Concordat to Support Research Integrity.

Practitioner-ledResearch grounded in clinical practice.
Ethically governedFormal review and transparent oversight.
Academically supportedSupervision, methodology and publication guidance.
Professionally relevantResearch CPD for experienced practitioners.

Research governance and professional standards

Comprehensive research ethics infrastructure

SPARC operates a formal Research Ethics Committee with structured application, review and monitoring procedures informed by established academic research-governance frameworks. All research undergoes mandatory independent ethical review to protect participant welfare and research integrity.

  • Three-tier ethical review: Expedited, Full Committee and Enhanced Specialist.
  • Internal and external professional representation.
  • Policies covering research integrity, ethics and conduct.
  • Professional accountability aligned with UKCP, COSRT and equivalent standards.

Ethics and Advisory Panel

SPARC’s governance is supported by an Ethics and Advisory Panel of experienced professionals from relevant disciplines. Panel members contribute ethical review, academic input and mentorship according to expertise and project alignment.

The framework recognises dual-role considerations, professional boundaries, participant protection, safeguarding and external ethics pathways for university or institutional collaboration.

Clinician-researcher reading an academic journal in a library

Current Research Portfolio

Active research projects and papers

SPARC’s developing portfolio reflects questions arising directly from specialist clinical practice, professional education and applied sexology.

Neurodiversity in Psychotherapy Training
International Governance in Psychotherapy Training
Masculinity and Young Men in Family Contexts
Forensic Sexology and Interdisciplinary Practice
New paper: Compulsive Sexual Behaviour as a Spectrum Disorder

Research infrastructure and support

Structured support helps practitioner-researchers move from a clinically relevant question towards ethical, rigorous and publishable work.

Develop the project

  • Methodology consultation
  • Literature-review support
  • Ethics and safeguarding guidance

Undertake the research

  • Academic supervision
  • Qualitative and statistical-analysis mentorship
  • Research-governance support

Share the findings

  • Publication-pathway support
  • Writing accountability groups
  • Dissemination and professional reflection

Research as strategic CPD

Research-led CPD can develop research literacy, strengthen confidence in ethical and governance frameworks, create opportunities for publication and support advanced clinical reflection grounded in evidence.

Membership Pathways & CPD

Three structured membership levels designed for different stages of research engagement.

Affiliate Member

12-month commitment

£15/ month
  • Minimum 4 CPD hours annually.
  • Practitioner-research forum and networking events.
  • Online Writing for Professional Publication programme.
  • Ad-hoc academic supervision (£45/hour).

Join as an Affiliate

Practitioner-Research Member

12-month commitment

£35/ month
  • Minimum 12 CPD hours annually.
  • Practitioner-research forum and networking events.
  • Online Writing for Professional Publication programme.
  • Annual research consultation and ethics pre-screening.
  • Writing accountability group and collaborator directory.

Apply for Membership

SPARC Research Fellow

12-month commitment

£65/ month
  • 20+ CPD hours annually.
  • Practitioner-research forum and networking events.
  • Online Writing for Professional Publication programme.
  • Three research consultations and priority ethics review.
  • Writing accountability group and collaborator directory.
  • Support identifying and applying for external funding.

Enquire About Fellowship

Quality, CPD and professional integration

CPD certification

Certificates are provided for structured seminars, training events, one-to-one learning sessions and supervised research support. SPARC activity does not constitute professional accreditation or a qualification.

Professional standards

Governance recognises UK statutory and voluntary registration frameworks and addresses dual roles, boundaries, safeguarding and appropriate external ethics pathways.

Research quality assurance

  • Standardised ethics procedures
  • Risk and safeguarding frameworks
  • UK GDPR-aligned data protection
  • Appropriate professional indemnity insurance

Leadership Team

Laura Joanknecht — Research Director, SPARC

MSc Psychosexual Therapy, BSc (Hons) Psychology, MBACP (Accred), NCPS (Accred), COSRT (Accredited)

Laura is a psychosexual and relationship therapist, educator and researcher with more than two decades of experience in therapeutic practice, training and applied research. Previously Programme Lead for the MSc in Contemporary Psychosexual Therapy, she has extensive experience supervising practitioner-researchers working at the intersection of sexuality, trauma, relationships and power.

Her work emphasises reflexive, ethically grounded research that connects clinical insight with interdisciplinary scholarship. Her interests include sexual development within high-control belief systems, trauma-informed approaches to sexuality and relationships, and ethical work with marginalised or stigmatised experiences.

Laura leads collaborative and interdisciplinary initiatives alongside consulting academics from psychology, psychotherapy, sociology, sexology and medicine.

Research enquiries: laura.sparc@instituteofpsychosexualpsychotherapy.org
Laura Joanknecht, Research Director at SPARC

Join the SPARC research community

Explore membership, discuss a practitioner-led research project or enquire about research supervision and support.

Discuss a Research ProjectApply to Join SPARC

SPARC is an independent research centre and is not affiliated with, accredited by, or endorsed by UKRIO, UKCP, COSRT, or any regulatory body. Read the SPARC terms and conditions.