SHA Reviews: Student Success Stories
Welcome to the SHA Reviews page, where our community members and program graduates share their authentic experiences, transformations, and insights. At Sexual Health Alliance (SHA), we take pride in fostering a supportive and inclusive environment for all individuals interested in sexuality and relationships. Here, you'll find firsthand accounts from our students, attendees, and participants in various SHA programs, conferences, and events. We believe that their stories speak to the impact of our education, training, and community, and we're thrilled to provide this space for them to share their journeys. Explore these reviews to gain a deeper understanding of how SHA is empowering individuals to make a positive difference in the field of sexual health and relationships.
"I found this program to be an incredible wealth of information and new ideas.” - SHA Graduate
"The program has been amazing! Great content, great support, great supervision, and truly a transformational experience personally and professionally for me." - SHA Graduate
"This SHA training has been both professionally and personally rewarding and will enhance my skills, even after many years of practice, to better serve my clients for years to come. " - SHA Graduate
"I have really enjoyed the training. I found it to be very comprehensive and well organized." - SHA Graduate
"This is an excellent program! With a self-paced curriculum, I was able to manage a private practice, continue my education and specialty in the field of sex, and still be a present mother of 4!" - SHA Graduate
"This was an amazing program and opportunity to learn and meet a community of clinicians passionate about working with sex, sexual health and couples. I feel so lucky to have found it when I did! " - SHA Graduate
"Love SHA forever. An amazing program with innovative workshops and the most amazing network of professionals. The opportunities are endless" - SHA Graduate
"The best, most progressive & comprehensive continuing education for my line of work available anywhere!" - SHA Graduate
"This program changed the way I practice and connect with others. I can't recommend it enough! Every clinician needs this training to be effective in the field of relationships!" - SHA Graduate
" SHA does everything aside from gift wrapping that application. It’s immaculate." - SHA Graduate
"The Sexual Health Alliance is an amazing collection of individuals. I feel much more confident as a sex therapist and I am so thankful for the community they have. I feel like I have met so many wonderful people at SHA events and trainings!" - SHA Graduate
"This program really worked for me. The caliber of the presenters, the responsiveness of the instructors and team, the camaraderie and encouragement of my cohorts, and the fact that I could set my own pace and ask for guidance when I needed it made for a great educational journey." - SHA Graduate
"Learning from SHA changed my life and my career!" - SHA Graduate
" Taking courses on sexual health, online and at my own pace, was an exceptional and accessible educational experience. I feel like I have come home to myself and to the community, in terms of support from similarly minded individuals doing the social justice-oriented work of promoting sexual well-being and sex positivity. " - SHA Graduate
" I stand in amazement and appreciation of each one of you. I learn so differently ( Severe ADHD and multiple types of Dyslexia) and yet in SHA world I always feel secure in learning. As a past teacher, I must thank you. The different platforms you provide allow for scaffolding to reachable understanding and learning. As a human, I feel secure at SHA to ask questions or research information with no shame in the need to have a healthy understanding. Being a Sex Therapist and hopefully an AASECT Supervisor one day, I feel that I am being taught from the ground up and always standing on a strong foundation. The ethics, the skills, and the humans that work at SHA always make me feel proud to refer others to." - SHA Graduate
"This was an incredible experience where I grew both professionally and personally! Great community of support-super insightful and knowledgeable! " - SHA Graduate
"All I have to say is thank you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. This has been a life-changing, transformational experience for me. I finally found the love in my career. Thank you!" - SHA Graduate
"The SHA program was incredible! The content was well-researched and incredibly enlightening. It offered a very broad range of perspectives, which not all Sex Therapy Certifications seem to do. I almost can't believe how much useful info I took away. Perhaps the most wonderful part is the SHA staff and trainers. They were BEYOND supportive at every single step." - SHA Graduate
“Fantastic! Working with SHA has been a wonderful experience. My favorite conference was definitely Sex, Cannibis, and Other Psychedelics—soooo good, and so informative! Can't wait for more SHA stuff—Wyld Wknd, Queer and Trans Sexualities conference, Jamaica, and all the other stuff that's gonna happen!” - SHA Graduate
“I've loved my time in the program and working for SHA.” - SHA Graduate
“I absolutely loved how the materials pushed the boundaries in every way and the supportive SHA community that is a part of it all! I learned so much through this course and it has left me with a life-long desire to keep learning more!” - SHA Graduate
“Overall, I enjoyed my journey of receiving my certification. It assisted with re-framing my existing mindset and knowledge around sexuality. My favorite conference was the 'Sex, Cannabis, and Psychedelics'. I had to unlearn the notion that we are not allowed to be sexually fluent and sexually limited. Also, unlearning the idea that gender is just black or white when it very much a wider range and deeper than that.” - SHA Graduate
“I have loved the curriculum, the conferences and the support! I feel ready to use the information and positive sexuality focus in my practice.” - SHA Graduate
“My favorite conference was Bodysex by Carlin Ross. She was so comfortable in her naked body showing a large group of us how an orgasm should feel like. She broke many taboos I was carrying about exposing my own body in this line of work to assist others. This was before attending the SAR. I also enjoyed the discourse between all the women and men attending talking about their own sexual experiences with the exercises she gave as homework. I see myself doing what she does in my own way in the future.” - SHA Graduate
“I LOVE the seminars, the support from peers and staff, the information presented in the coursework. Basically, the entire experience has been wonderful.” - SHA Graduate
“My overall experience was great. I consider myself to be a sex positive person and I've always been aware, knowledgeable and open about topics related to sex and sexuality. There wasn't much that I didn't know intellectually and nothing surprised me (including from the SAR) other than the goat sex in one of the modules. However, my understanding was expanded in areas I don't have personal experience (e.g. CNM) and I learned more about models and frameworks for sex coaching as well as sex education. I enjoyed going through all of the modules and the conferences were excellent. I loved all of the ones I listed above as well as two others I partially attended and/or watched the replays for (CNM and business/media). I think my favorite was the cannabis/psychedelics conference. The biggest area of unlearning/relearning for me is my own unpacking of my privilege and doing the work related to that, especially in relation to race and disability.” - SHA Graduate
“I was impressed with the range of topics the coursework covered. I was unsure if I could find a program would work with the values I already hold as a therapist. Some material challenged me but in a good, growing way. I really liked the sex, cannabis and psychedelics conference because it was forward thinking, preparing us for questions our clients already have and the additional questions that will come when legalization continues. I graduated in 2006 so I had to relearn being a student! I appreciate that courses are self paced.”
- SHA Graduate
“Many things to mention but the course provided me information to obtain better and deeper understanding to work as a sexuality coach and consultant." - SHA Graduate
“I really loved the videos. it was a much more engaging way to learn for me. I've always loved brick and mortar classes and having the videos felt more like that.” - SHA Graduate
“I loved this experience so much. I also cannot wait to continue my learning experience because there's so much more to learn! This has truly been amazing! I can't wait for my future!” - SHA Graduate
“Much of the experience was very validating that I am moving in the right direction.” - SHA Graduate
"I really appreciated the breadth of the program, and I appreciate the ongoing efforts to update content to include diverse voices and perspectives. The conferences were all amazing, and I honestly couldn't pick a favorite. I DO wish I'd been able to attend the one about working with couples. I missed that one!” - SHA Graduate
“I loved it so much. I love Dr. David Ley and the Jet Jasmine recordings and especially modules 3 and 4. I love the community on Facebook and even joined a consultation group with my SHA colleagues.” - SHA Graduate
“I really enjoyed this course. I felt this was a very inclusive, diverse, and quality training.” - SHA Graduate
“I am fascinated by the subject matter, so all of the learning and exposure was incredibly valuable. I was grateful for the exposure to ideas, concepts, and approaches to sexuality and relationship structures. I feel as though I emerged with far greater understanding, even though I now know how much I still don't know. I also feel as though that exposure allowed me to eradicate quite a bit of my internalized, uneducated bias about many of the topics.” - SHA Graduate
“I really had to unlearn my own biases against myself and people like me. I had to stop making exceptions for my weight, age, height, generally my outward appearance and discover I am not a sexually thriving being in spite of these things, but these things are a part of my sexually thriving being. My body does what it is supposed to and I appreciate it in a way I never have. I let go of being upset about lies or mistruths I learned in school, from friends, from my mother, and listened to the talks, read the articles, watched the videos, and began to understand sexuality and its wide variety that it emcompasses. I hope that I can maintain this release of judgment, of myself and others, for the rest of my life." - SHA Graduate
“My experience was very positive. I like the organization, professionalism, and student support. I paticulary appreciate both group and individual supervision with Dr Ley and Heather McPhearson. I appreciated the opportunity to participate and present at WYLD conferences and appreciate SHA's dedication to setting us up for success in our career ambitions.” - SHA Graduate
“This experience was phenomenal and I am so excited to take what I have learned into the world.” - SHA Graduate
“Loved the flexibility and how supportive everyone was.” - SHA Graduate
“The added courses over the last few months have been my favorite. So informative and relevant.” - SHA Graduate
“I did enjoy my overall certification journey. I'm grateful for the material and further learning I was granted to expand on my resources which I can then pass onto students and clients. I was surprised at some of the information that I have taken for granted, that I realized that many professionals do not have at their disposal. It showed me how important these accreditation organizations are.” - SHA Graduate
“The conferences were my favorite. They were long days but so informative and radical. The entire program has been amazing!” - SHA Graduate
"The information SHA provides is deep and broad and I like SHA's effort to stay current with science and developments in the field of human sexuality.” - SHA Graduate
“The inclusive open-mindedness and congeniality of fellow students / participants along the way didn't surprise me completely but it was delightful, comforting, and generally wonderful to interact with so many folks trying to normalize sex and help people let go of shame so they can live as full humans.” - SHA Graduate
“I have been on this journey for quite a while so I don't think I unlearned things so much as am constantly trying to stay up-to-date with the expansiveness of gender, sexuality, and relationship diversity and the accompanying language and being mindful to be as expansive as possible with my language and attitudes so all people I work with and encounter feel safe with me." - SHA Graduate
“ I have been dreaming of a career in human sexuality for a very long time, but not in a million years did I ever expect to find anything as amazing as the Sexual Health Alliance.” - SHA Graduate
“ When I found the Sexual Health Alliance, I did not really know what to expect. What I found was so much better, than I could have possibly ever imagined and – the best part of it – their sexual summits are open to the public and not just students of theirs. So, if you are considering a career in sexuality, it is worth checking them out. If you are simply interested in sexuality and hearing what experts have to say on a wide (and I mean wider than your arms could possibly stretch) array of topics, sign up for their newsletter to learn about whatever is new.” - SHA Graduate
“ Studying with SHA has brought me so much joy and pleasure and having learned so many new things (I truly feel like every corner was highlighted), I feel ready to step out into the world as a Sexuality Counselor.” - SHA Graduate
Conference Focused:
YOU ARE AMAZING!!!! Ya'll I really cannot describe the metamorphosis I went through this weekend. I am in awe of the experts in our field and how knowledgeable they are. Every single presentation held value for me, and I want to say thank you for choosing such amazing presenters and for having Chris as the keynote. His perspective is unmatched and I wish we had 100 days with him! You all set up such a compassionate, educational, and community-based conference. I was nervous going into it but that was wiped away within minutes with how welcoming, generous, and celebratory everyone was. I could go on forever about how grateful I am for this organization and this program. I have learned more than I've ever learned before. And it only makes me want to continue seeking out further education and engaging in radical and provocative dialogues!
You all did a tremendous job planning and executing the first inaugural Sexological Conference. Thank you for bringing this to the public. We want more!
SO AMAZING!!! Please do another one!!!!!
Thank you for putting together a wonderful weekend!
A million thank you's!!! I am so grateful for SHA and for Heather McPherson. I feel I finally found my calling and getting educated with SHA and being a part of this community is exactly what I need. I hope I can give back with my work and my presence as much as possible.
“Amazing conference it not only taught me more about how to help and support my clients but forced me to explore myself.”
The Science Behind Relationships: Understanding Attachment, Maintenance, Infidelity and the Dissolution
“So thankful to have spent 4 days with these newfound friends who celebrate connection, relationships, and embodiment just ass much as I do at every level. The dedication both personally and professionally - with will to continue lifelong exploration and integration - is an energy that cannot be contained by words alone.”
The Science Behind Relationships: Understanding Attachment, Maintenance, Infidelity and the Dissolution
“Thank you soooo much to the experts, to the fellow students, to those that are both! Amazing info-filled weekend extravaganza!”
The Science Behind Relationships: Understanding Attachment, Maintenance, Infidelity and the Dissolution
“This weekend was fantastic! So many resources and information shared by the panel and the community in the chat! I learned sooo much! Thank you everyone!!!”
The Science Behind Relationships: Understanding Attachment, Maintenance, Infidelity and the Dissolution
“To all who make this weekend possible, THANK YOU SO MUCH for all y’all do. This was groundbreaking and will I’m sure push so many of us deeper into the work of changing the direction of media and education about sexuality.”
The Science Behind Relationships: Understanding Attachment, Maintenance, Infidelity and the Dissolution
“Bravo SHA Team! And, a huge thank you to everyone for making this such an incredible weekend. This entire weekend was gold.”
The Science Behind Relationships: Understanding Attachment, Maintenance, Infidelity and the Dissolution
"You guys are amazing and knock it out of the park every time I experience one of these weekends."
The Science Behind Relationships: Understanding Attachment, Maintenance, Infidelity and the Dissolution
"This weekend was absolutely fantastic. One of the best conferences I’ve ever attended."
The Science Behind Relationships: Understanding Attachment, Maintenance, Infidelity and the Dissolution
"I had a fabulous time! Thank you for facilitating such a well constructed weekend! The energy from the facilitators set the tone for a fantastic time, and that's hard to do over Zoom!"
The Science Behind Relationships: Understanding Attachment, Maintenance, Infidelity and the Dissolution
"I am so excited to be part of this community."
The Science Behind Relationships: Understanding Attachment, Maintenance, Infidelity and the Dissolution
"OMG the content was amazing. It was great hearing from the presenters and engaging with all the participants in the chat"
"This was my first SHA event and I was thoroughly impressed with the range of presenters and the quality of the presentations."
The Science Behind Relationships: Understanding Attachment, Maintenance, Infidelity and the Dissolution
"The motivation to learn more! Being my first conference, I was blown away by all of the research conducted."
The Science Behind Relationships: Understanding Attachment, Maintenance, Infidelity and the Dissolution
"The SHA community feels so supportive and joyful. Many of the talks were also relatable to my own life and relationships and made me feel that sexual and relationship challenges I've had/am having are normal!"
The Science Behind Relationships: Understanding Attachment, Maintenance, Infidelity and the Dissolution
"I really enjoyed the whole weekend and love being in a sex positive community that is curious to push the boundaries and keep learning!"
The Science Behind Relationships: Understanding Attachment, Maintenance, Infidelity and the Dissolution
"It was apparent the presenters were extremely knowledgable, experienced, and non judgemental. I feel like I have a whole new set of resources for myself and my clients!!"
The Science Behind Relationships: Understanding Attachment, Maintenance, Infidelity and the Dissolution
"SHA is very informed and keeps up to date with the research."
The Science Behind Relationships: Understanding Attachment, Maintenance, Infidelity and the Dissolution
"The presenters for this weekend were absolutely phenomenal- I cannot stress enough how incredible it was to hear from so many professionals in different areas of the field, and how their experiences and research add value to our existing knowledge base as sexuality professionals."
The Science Behind Relationships: Understanding Attachment, Maintenance, Infidelity and the Dissolution
"Oh gosh!! This entire weekend was amazing."
The Science Behind Relationships: Understanding Attachment, Maintenance, Infidelity and the Dissolution
"I love being in a community of like minded people- especially while i live in the conservative bible belt"