AASECT Sex Therapy Supervision with SHA

For sex therapists, supervision is a necessary step toward AASECT (American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists) certification. Sexual Health Alliance (SHA) offers a comprehensive supervision program that includes the 50 hours of supervision required by AASECT. 

Participants benefit from 24 hours of group supervision, fostering a collaborative environment where diverse perspectives enhance learning. Group supervision sessions are 4 hours each and held over Zoom. Additionally, 26 hours of individual supervision provide personalized guidance, allowing professionals to address specific cases and refine their clinical expertise. 

SHA’s program includes all required supervision hours for AASECT certification, with optional add-on packages for those who aren't enrolled in the SHA Supervision Included program. Delivered entirely online, this affordable program ensures that high-quality supervision is accessible to professionals, no matter where they are.

Meet SHA's AASECT Certified Sex Therapy Supervisors

David Ley, PH.D., AASECT 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.

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 new book Ethical Porn for Dicks, A Man's Guide to Responsible Viewing Pleasureis due out in Summer/Fall 2016. Dr. Ley may be contacted via email through the Psychology Today website.

Kelvin Pace, MS, LPC-S, AASECT CST-S

Kelvin Pace graduated with a master’s in clinical psychology from the University of Alaska Anchorage in 2009. He has been a LPC supervisor for two years and he has been an AASECT certified therapist for 3 years.

Kelvin is the owner of KpaceCounseling, LLC where he serves clients in private practice. He does contract work with Full Spectrum Health as a behavioral health clinician where he works with an integrated care team delivering evidenced based care to persons of the LGBTQ+ community. Kelvin has worked for a local non-profit delivering mental health services to children and young adults that have suffered from complex trauma. With a firm foundation in trauma, he delivers trauma informed sex positive therapy to his clients. Kelvin provides services to couples and individuals dealing with sexual or relationship issues that include low desire, anxiety surrounding sex, and infidelity. His current focus is on mindfulness based interventions to manage sexual concerns and he works with persons that are either in or looking to explore non-traditional relationship orientations that fall under the umbrella of consensual/ethical non-monogamy.

Melinda Porter, MA, LPC-S, AASECT CST-S

As a Certified Sex Therapist (CST) and CST Supervisor with the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT) and with the Sexual Health Alliance as well as Certified Non-Monogamy Therapist with the Sexual Health Alliance, Melinda Porter provides services to couples and individuals with diverse sexuality concerns, including – but not limited to – loss of desire, discrepancies in desire between couples, erection or ejaculation difficulties, fetishism, issues of gender identity, issues pertaining to sexual identity and sexual orientation, challenges around orgasm, Genitopelvic Pain / Penetration Disorder, sexuality and chronic illness, sexuality and physical ability, polyamory, and sexual trauma.  

Melinda is also a trained EMDR therapist. She uses EMDR to help clients move through trauma and places they feel stuck and teaches skills to stabilize and process from a secure place. Melinda is invested in helping clients move at their own pace and is committed to being supportive and present with clients in sessions. Melinda is also a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP).

Melinda has also worked in the queer community since 2012, working with children, teens, individuals, couples, and families to process sexuality and gender questions and/or transitioning. She provides safe space and education on the journey to congruency. Her goal to help her clients find self-understanding and skills to be present in the moment.

Angela Skurtu M.Ed, LMFT, AASECT CST-S

Angela Skurtu, the owner and operator of St. Louis Marriage Therapy, is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the state of Missouri. She is also a nationally certified Sex Therapist through the American Association for Sex Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT). She received her Master of Education degree from the University of Oregon in Counseling and Family Therapy. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. She has offered couples and sex therapy for over 11 years. She is also working to become an AAMFT approved supervisor for other Marriage and Family Therapists seeking their license.

Angela is well known in her field as an expert in Sexual and Relationship health. She received a media award from the Missouri Association for Marriage and Family Therapists in 2017 for her HuffPost blogging, video/audiopodcasting, and appearances in radio, podcasting and television. She also received the "2020 Best of Ballwin Award" in the category of marriage and family counseling.

She is also commonly used as a keynote speaker at local and national conferences, businesses and training facilities including the Missouri Mental Health Counseling Association, the American Academy of Psychotherapists, and the American Association for Marital and Family Therapists. She is an AASECT approved continuing education provider.

She is author of the books, "Pre-Marital Counseling: A Guide for Clinicians," (2016) and "Helping Couples Overcome Infidelity: A Therapist's Manual," (2018). She has also a contributed to the Huffington Post, Women's Day Magazine, The Post Dispatch, Good Therapy, Psychology Today and her personal blog.

Renée LaVail, LMFT, ACS, AASECT CST-SIT

Renée (she/her) is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, AASECT Certified Sex Therapist, Approved Clinical Supervisor, and AASECT Supervisor in Training. With a psychotherapy career in New Mexico spanning since 2008, Renée initially focused on family therapy before specializing in sexual health in 2011, particularly working with youth exhibiting problematic sexual behaviors and their families. Renée is passionate about providing a safe and supportive clinical space for the community to address and discuss all areas of sex, sexual health, and relationship diversity—and has a specialized focus on problematic sexual behaviors, OCSB and sexual offending behaviors. Renée has served as a clinical supervisor since 2011 and founded the Clinical Supervisor Academy with colleague Dr. Leandrea Romero-Lucero. In 2024, she founded the Institute for Sexual Health Literacy, dedicated to educating the public and professionals on the integration of sexual health knowledge into their work with the public. In 2025, Renée began working as an Adjunct Professor at the University of New Mexico, teaching Sexuality + Counseling and Professional Ethics to graduate students. Formerly a doctoral candidate in Behavioral Health Leadership (ABD), Renée elected to pause the completion of her final capstone research to focus on her group practice Albuquerque Sex Therapy and its guiding organization, the Clinical Assessment Group.

Heather McPherson, M.A., LPC-S, LMFT-S, CST-S

Heather McPherson is the CEO and Founder of the Sexual Health Alliance, a premier education and certification provider for sexuality professionals. Heather also founded Respark, a national brand that encompasses a group therapy practice, Respark Foundation Nonprofit, and ReSpark Retreats. Respark Therapy & Associates (respark.co) is a group practice that serves Colorado, Washington and Texas specializing in sexuality and relationships. She is published in Playboy Magazine as well as Playboy Online, and has been featured on CNN, HuffPost, Rolling Stones, SheKnows, Quartz, Bravo, the Body, the Sun, Sex and Psychology with Dr. Justin Lehmiller, Psychology Today with Dr. David Ley, Parent Harald, and more. Heather McPherson has lectured at prestigious universities including University of Texas at Austin, Texas State University, University of Utah, University of Colorado Denver and Governors State University in Chicago. She is an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist Supervisor, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist Supervisor (LMFT-S) and a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor (LPC-S). She also is the Texas Section Leader for AASECT (American Association for Sexuality Educators, Counselors & Therapists). She has appeared on several podcasts including Loveline with Dr. Chris Donaghue as well as Sex with Dr. Jess. Heather helps clients gain confidence, rebuild trust, increase playfulness, and find passion and meaning in their erotic lives. Heather graduated with honors from Texas State University with a MA in Marriage, Couple and Family Therapy; a CACREP Accredited Program.

Rena Brisentine, MS, LPC, LMHC, AASECT CST-SIT

Rena is Licensed Professional Counselor in Alaska and Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Washington, an AASECT certified Sex Therapist, and proud SHA alumni. She is the owner and sole therapist in her small private practice, Two Pillars Counseling, serving Washington and Alaska. 

Born  and raised in rural Alaska, Rena  graduated from Alaska Pacific University with a Master’s in Counseling in 2013. She worked in the foster system, adolescent treatment, substance use rehabilitation  and community behavioral health before focusing on sex and relationships. She has been in private practice since 2017. 

Rena brings a balanced and skilled approach to her work with foundations in PACT, the Gottman Method,  and trauma informed care. She has experience with all consensual relationship organizations, all genders, and all orientations to  help clients process gender identity and explore sexuality.  She believes in a collaborative process that helps promote and celebrate diversity, find self compassion and self acceptance, understand relationship dynamics and improve communication.

Sonya Jensen, LMFT-S, AASECT CST-SIT

Sonya Jensen is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and certified Gottman Method Couples and Sex Therapist. She is a leader in her field with extensive specialized training but most importantly Sonya brings genuine heart and warmth to her practice– making her advice for couples especially accessible. In addition to working on the ground with couples for nearly 10 years, Sonya is an author, speaker, and sought-after trainer. A candid voice for relationship health. Sonya believes all people are worthy of a healthy, loving partnership and she's here to be their guide. Sonya is a Certified Gottman Therapist and AASECT Certified Sex Therapist.

Laura Stisher, MS, LPC-S, AASECT CST-SIT

Laura is a Licensed Professional Counselor, a Counselor Supervisor, an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist and graduate of Sexual Health Alliance. She graduated from Jacksonville State University in 2005 with a BS in Criminal Justice, and the University of South Alabama in 2008 with an MS in Community Counseling. A native of Atlanta, GA, Laura has lived in Huntsville since 2012. Upon completion of graduate school, Laura gained experience in drug and alcohol treatment programs, psychiatric facilities, and group homes, finally landing her dream gig in 2013 - counseling sex offenders in a maximum security prison. Her work there, and eventual certification as a Sex Offender Treatment Provider, led her to private practice and the pursuit of training to become a sex therapist.