Out of Control Sexual Behavior

Join from anywhere IN THE WORLD. ALL ARE welcome. 100% ONLINE CONFERENCE!

Join SHA and Michael Vigorito, LMFT, CGP, CST-S for an advanced, sex-positive training on Out of Control Sexual Behavior (OCSB). Based on the award-winning book Treating Out of Control Sexual Behavior: Rethinking Sex Addiction, this intermediate-level Sexceptional Weekend provides clinicians with a modern, ethical, and evidence-informed framework for assessing and treating clients who experience sexual behavior as out of control. Designed for psychologists, psychiatrists, therapists, social workers, counselors, MFTs, and sexual health professionals, this training focuses on OCSB theory, assessment, and treatment without relying on outdated or pathologizing addiction-based models.

Participants will learn how to:

• Apply a non-pathologizing, sexual health framework for OCSB

• Conduct comprehensive OCSB assessments using validated measures

• Understand clinician ethical responsibilities in sexual behavior treatment

• Implement the OCSB Clinical Pathway in individual and group therapy

• Apply the Six Principles of Sexual Health as a treatment foundation

• Use motivational interviewing to enhance client readiness for change

• Assess self-regulation, attachment patterns, and erotic conflicts

• Create and implement individualized sexual health plans

• Facilitate structured and effective OCSB group therapy

• Reduce shame using here-and-now clinical interventions

• Match interventions to a client’s stage of change

• Navigate provider discomfort around sexual health conversations

Use this world clock to find the corresponding time in your time zone!

SCHEDULE

SATURDAY, JUN 13TH

START TIME: 10:00AM - 6:00pm cst

SUNDAY, JUN 14TH

START TIME: 10:00AM - 6:00pm cst

Out of Control Sexual Behavior (OCSB) has been a topic of clinical debate for more than three decades. Traditional pathology-based frameworks—such as sex addiction, sexual compulsivity, and hypersexual disorder—have been widely criticized for reinforcing sex-negative narratives and lacking sufficient scientific evidence. In this training, Michael Vigorito presents an integrative, sexual health–based clinical pathway for working with men who experience consensual sexual thoughts, urges, or behaviors as out of control. Rather than defining OCSB as a disorder, this approach frames it as a sexual health concern rooted in competing motivations, values, attachment patterns, and self-regulation challenges. Developed by Doug Braun-Harvey and Michael Vigorito over 20+ years of clinical work, the OCSB Clinical Pathway combines Motivational Interviewing and the Transtheoretical Model of Change to guide ethical assessment and treatment. Through individual and group psychotherapy, clinicians learn how to help clients clarify their sexual values, reduce shame, strengthen sexual self-regulation, and align behavior with core principles of sexual health.

Advance Your Expertise in Problem Sexual Behavior Treatment

Gain additional certification in one of the fastest-growing specialty areas in sexual health. Join leading experts Dr. David Ley and Michael A. Vigorito in SHA’s Problem Sexual Behavior Certification Program, an advanced, sex-positive training designed for clinicians seeking ethical, evidence-based approaches to sexual behavior concerns.

PRESENTERS

MICHAEL VIGORITO, LMFT, CGP, CST-S

Michael Vigorito is a sex therapist, author, and trainer. In his practice, he provides individual, couples, and group therapy for a range of sexual and behavioral health concerns including problematic and out of control sexual behavior, sexual disorders, and sex-drug linked behaviors.

In addition to his Washington, DC private practice, Michael* developed a sexual health assessment and treatment program, which was published in Treating Out of Control Sexual Behavior - Rethinking Sex Addiction (SSTAR 2018 Health Professional Book Award Winner). 

Michael designed and implemented SAMHSA and CDC-funded training programs to integrate sexual health services into behavioral health care in the Baltimore and DC metro Areas. He is currently affiliated with University of Maryland - Prevention Research Center where he is implementing the Sexual and Gender Diversity Learning Community** – a CDC-funded, LGBTQ+ affirmative care training program for mental health providers and organizations.

Michael provides various sexual health trainings nationwide and was recently selected as a SSTAR Academy Speaker. 

* developed with Douglas Braun-Harvey, LMFT, CST, CST-S

** developed with Sean Lare, LCSW-C

David Ley, PhD, CST-S

David Ley is a clinical psychologist in practice in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He earned his Bachelor's degree in Philosophy from Ole Miss, and his Master's and Doctoral degrees in clinical psychology from the University of New Mexico. Dr. Ley is licensed in New Mexico and North Carolina, and has provided clinical and consultative services in numerous other states. He is the Executive Director of New Mexico Solutions, a large outpatient mental health and substance abuse program in Albuquerque, NM. Dr. Ley also serves on the advisory board for the Sexual Health Alliance and leads SHA’s Sexual Attitude Reassessment or Adjustment (SAR) as well as SHA’s Advanced SARs in Mexico and Jamaica.

Dr. Ley has been treating sexuality issues throughout his career. He first began treating perpetrators and victims of sexual abuse, but expanded his approach to include the fostering and promotion of healthy sexuality, and awareness of the wide range of normative sexual behaviors. Insatiable Wives is his first book and won a Silver Medal in the Foreword Magazine Book of the Year contest for 2009. Dr. Ley wrote Insatiable Wives following two years of interviews with couples around the country. His controversial second book, The Myth of Sex Addiction was released in March 2012, challenging the concept of sexual addiction and exploring a different model of male sexuality. The Myth of Sex Addiction triggered a firestorm of debate, allowing people to finally challenge the media hype of this pseudo-disorder. His most recent book, Ethical Porn for Dicks, A Man's Guide to Responsible Viewing Pleasure has been a staple for any curious individual.

David Prescott, LICSW, ATSA-F

A mental health practitioner of 40 years, David Prescott is the Director of the Safer Society Continuing Education Center. He is the author and editor of 25 books in the areas of understanding and improving services to at-risk clients. He is best known for his work in the areas of understanding, assessing, and treating sexual violence and trauma. Mr. Prescott is the recipient of the 2014 Distinguished Contribution award from the Association for the Treatment and Prevention of Sexual Abuse (ATSA), the 2018 recipient of the National Adolescent Perpetration Network’s C. Henry Kempe Lifetime Achievement award, and the 2022 recipient of the Fay Honey Knopp Award from the New York State Alliance for the Prevention of Sexual Abuse and New York State ATSA. He also served as ATSA President in 2008-09. Mr. Prescott currently trains and lectures around the world. His published work has been translated into Japanese, Korean, German, French, Polish, and Southern Tutchone. He has served on the editorial boards of four scholarly journals.

Jess Levith, LMFT

Jess Levith is a licensed marriage and family therapist #CA 84268 and certified sex therapist (AASECT), writer and lecturer. She’s fully trained in both attachment-focused EMDR therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), works with LGBTQQIA+ and kinky folks, consensual non-mongamy, women’s sexual health, problematic and out-of-control sexual behavior. In recent years, Jess has taken a deep dive into mindfulness and psychotherapy. She lives with her partner and son, and practices therapy in Oakland, CA.

Markie Twist, PhD, LMHC, LMFT, CSE, CSE-S, RegCOSRT

Markie Louise Christianson (L. C.) Twist, PhD, MEd, MA, BS, LMHC, LMFT, CSE, CSE-S, RegCOSRT (dr./she/they) was born in Alaxsxaq (Alaska) and raised in a small village on the road system. dr. Markie is Teaching Faculty and the Graduate Student Research Chairperson in the Doctoral and Masters Couple and Family Therapy (CFT) programs, as well the Sexuality Studies Certificate program, in the Relational Therapy Division at Antioch University (New England and Seattle campuses) in the Graduate School of Counseling, Therapy, and Psychology.

dr. Markie is also the Session Instructor in the University of Guelph Professional Sexuality Practices Clinical Training Program in Guelph, Ontario, Canada. Dr. Markie has also been a faculty member of the CFT Program and the School of Public Health at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and has also served in positions in the University of Wisconsin-System (HDFS, CFT, & Sex Therapy Certificate Program), as well as the University of Alaska Anchorage (Psychology department).

dr. Markie is a registered psychosexual and relationship therapist member of the College of Sexual and Relationship Therapists (COSRT), a licensed marriage and family therapist (IA, NV) and mental health counselor (IA), as well as a clinical fellow and approved supervisor of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT), and certified sexuality educator and supervisor through the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT).

dr. Markie is co-author of the books, The Internet Family: Technology in Couple and Family Relationships, The Couple and Family Technology Framework: Intimate Relationships in a Digital Age, and Focused Genograms: Attachment Focused Intergenerational Assessment of Individuals, Couples, and Families (2nd ed.)

dr. Markie serves as the Editor-in-Chief of Sexual and Relationship Therapy: International Perspectives on Theory, Research and Practice and is coeditor of the book, Eco-Informed Practice: Family Therapy in an Age of Ecological Peril.

Some of dr. Markie’s honors include being the recipient of: the 2025 American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT) Sexuality Educator Award, the 2020 Wisconsin Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (WAMFT) Carl Whitaker Award, a 2019 University of Wisconsin (UW) System Honoree of the Dr. P. B. Poorman Award for Outstanding Achievement on Behalf of LGBTQ+ People, the 2018 Delta Kappa Zeta Chapter Charles Cole Outstanding Professional Development Award, and a 2017 Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality Rising Scholar Emerging Professional Award.

WANT TO BECOME SHA CERTIFIED?

Imagine completing your Certification in Sexology (and including your AASECT application) in a fraction of the time—saving hundreds of hours—while gaining every CE you need, all in one place. When you become SHA Certified, you’re not just checking boxes; you’re joining a global community of sex educators, counselors, coaches, and therapists who are shaping the future of sexual health.

Instead of piecing together conferences one by one and hoping they align with International standards or the (US AASECT requirements), you can enroll in SHA’s Sexuality Educator / Counselor / Coach / Sexology / Sex Therapy Certification Program, where every training is intentionally curated, tracked, and streamlined to support your AASECT path. No guesswork. No overwhelm. Just a clear, supported journey from start to finish.

As an SHA Certified professional, you’ll gain:

• Access to a thriving global community of practitioners and leaders

• Expert faculty, mentorship, and guidance every step of the way

• Exclusive SHA trainings, tools, and support you won’t find anywhere else

• A complete, organized portfolio for international associations (including AASECT-aligned hours)

If you’re ready to take your sexual health education further—and become truly sexceptional—apply to become SHA Certified today. Your future clients (and your future self) will thank you. Apply HERE.

Sexual Health Alliance has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7730. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Sexual Health Alliance is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

This event is eligible for a maximum of 14 CE hours.