Join us for our 10 Year Anniversary at the Annual Sexological Conference!
Learn from 40+ Experts in Denver, Colorado
October 9th - 12th, 2025
Sexual Health Alliance (est. 2015), is a global leader in training and continuing education for mental health practitioners, medical professionals, academics, and researchers.
Attendees include psychiatrists, psychologists, physicians, gynecologists, urologists, pelvic floor physical therapists, registered nurse practitioners, mental health nurse practitioners, scientists, researchers, therapists, educators, counselors, sexologists, coaches as well as hundreds of other allied professionals from across 6 continents.
SPONSOR THE SEXOLOGICAL CONFERENCE!
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Conference Venue: Grand Hyatt Denver
Grand Hyatt Denver
SHA’s 2025 Annual Conference will be held at the Grand Hyatt Denver Downtown. We will be on the 38th Floor. The Grand Hyatt is ranked number 2 hotel in Downtown Denver just behind The Ritz-Carlton Denver by US News.
This hotel is not only pet friendly, but also puts you in the center of the city, minutes from Union Station, Coors Field, Colorado Convention Center, Michelin-starred restaurants and shopping.
Click this link to book your hotel room with our group discount!
COME BE INSPIRED, EDUCATED, AND EMPOWERED WITH 40+ PRESENTERS WITH 6 KEYNOTE SPEAKERS FROM THE SUPERSTARS OF OUR FIELD!
This event is open to everyone! Everyone is welcome to join. Interested in sexuality or sexual health? You’ll feel at home here!
SHA Certified Professionals, SHA Students /Alumni and AASECT Certified members are invited to join and receive credit towards certification or renewal.
Click the box below to purchase tickets or the red ticket button at the top of page if you are viewing this on your mobile:
Lock in your SHA VIP Weekend Pass!
(Limited Availability)
Your SHA VIP Pass includes:
Conference ticket with up to 20 AASECT CEs included.
Exclusive Private Dinner with Q &A with keynote speakers and presenters.
10 Year Anniversary Merchandise and VIP Swag: Get everything included automatically.
VIP Preferred Seating: Preferred front row at every event.
Exclusive Field Trip: Step away to an experience only for VIP pass holders
Plus more surprises we can’t yet reveal!.
General Schedule of Events
This year's in-person Sexological Conference will feature keynotes, breakout sessions, and research presentations that span sexuality education, sextech/AI, medical content, and clinical sexology.
This is our 10-year Aniversary so our Sexological Conference will be even bigger and better! Come experience an unmatched event for sexuality leaders. It's industry-leading education, combined with great people, commnity and networking. Plus the return of our SHA Masquerade Ball!
Wednesday, October 8th
6pm - Celebration for SHA Graduates, Alumni and VIPs!
7:30pm - Informal Welcome Reception
Thursday, October 9th
9:30am - Opening Keynote
11am - 6pm Breakout Sessions
8pm - 11pm Evening Entertainment and Activities
Friday, October 10th
9:30am - 6pm Keynotes and Breakout Sessions
8pm - 11pm Evening Entertainment and Activities
Saturday, October 11th
9:30am - 6pm Keynotes and Breakout Sessions
9pm - 12am Masquerade Ball!
Sunday, October 12th
Optional Activities and Group Meetups (half day)
2025 SHA Annual Sexological Conference
Currently Planned Panels & Presentation Topics
Case studies and presentations
Research Data Blitzes and potential for poster sessions
Sex Therapy Current issues and treatment
Clinical, Medical and coaching workshops and sessions
Hormones and Sexual Function: Beyond Testosterone and Estrogen
Examining the role of hormones in libido, arousal, and sexual response for all genders, with insights from endocrinology, urology, and gynecology.
Sex Tech in Medicine: How AI and Wearables are Changing Sexual Health
Exploring new technologies in sexual function tracking, virtual therapy, and AI-powered diagnostics
Sexuality and Disability: Bridging Gaps in Medical and Sexual Support
A conversation on how medicine, physical therapy, and sex therapy can work together to support sexual well-being for people with disabilities
Bringing Sex Education Into the Exam Room: How Medical Professionals Can Improve Sexual Health Conversations
Training physicians to have effective, shame-free discussions about sex with patients.
Pelvic Floor Dysfunction in All Genders: The Overlooked Epidemic
How pelvic floor disorders contribute to sexual dysfunction and what treatments are most effective.
Sex and Neurodiversity: Supporting the Unique Needs of Autistic and ADHD Individuals
How neurodivergent patients experience and navigate intimacy, desire, and relationships.
Fertility, Sexual Function, and Assisted Reproduction: Balancing Medicine and Pleasure
Addressing the impact of IVF, hormone treatments, and reproductive challenges on intimacy.
Save an evening for us to celebrate!
10 Year Anniversary Masquerade Party 10/11/25!!
(Offsite Evening ActivitY)
presentation titles and descriptions
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In this in-depth session, world-renowned surgeon Dr. Evan Goldstein demystifies the anatomy, pleasure, and safety of anal sex. Blending medical expertise with practical guidance, the presentation covers physical and psychological aspects of anal engagement, offering clinicians and clients alike a deeper understanding of what makes anal sex safe, enjoyable, and affirming. This session is ideal for anyone seeking a shame-free, inclusive, and medically informed exploration of anal intimacy.
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This presentation explores how individuals maintain multiple intimate partnerships across various forms of non-monogamy, including polyamory, swinging, open relationships, plural marriage, sex work, and infidelity. Drawing from a large international dataset, the session highlights how different relationship structures address key challenges such as partner abandonment, jealousy, disease transmission, and emotional disinvestment. Special attention is given to consensual non-monogamy (CNM) and the intentional strategies used by CNM participants to sustain relationship quality and mitigate harm. Attendees will gain a research-based model for understanding and evaluating the ethics, risks, and health outcomes associated with maintaining multiple intimate relationships, offering valuable insights for both clinicians and researchers.
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This session explores the emerging concept of male sexual fluidity, with a focus on men who identify as straight or heteroflexible but engage in same-gender sexual experiences. Moving beyond binary understandings of orientation and identity, this workshop provides clinicians with insight into the nuanced realities of sexual attraction and behavior that challenge traditional categorizations. Participants will examine common patterns, motivations, and clinical considerations, equipping them to better understand and support this under-recognized population.
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This experiential workshop introduces the Wheel of Consent—a somatic-based practice that helps individuals and practitioners clearly differentiate between giving and receiving touch. More than a framework for permission, the Wheel clarifies power dynamics, boundaries, and desires, offering a powerful tool for relational and erotic freedom. Participants will learn how to use this model to support clients in identifying their wants, limits, and capacity for both giving and receiving, creating opportunities for deeper self-awareness, communication, and healing.
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This presentation offers a critical examination of how systemic oppression and normative assumptions shape sex therapy practice. Using the Triangle of Domination as a guiding framework, participants will explore how power operates at individual, interpersonal, institutional, and cultural levels. The session aims to foster liberatory approaches in both clinical and supervisory contexts by unpacking how dominant ideologies impact client narratives and clinician choices around sexuality, relationships, and pleasure.
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Sexual grief, often an unspoken consequence of sexually traumatic or predatory events, can leave clients trapped in cycles of shame, identity disruption, and emotional paralysis. This session equips clinicians with trauma-informed, evidence-based, and liberation-centered strategies to address sexual grief in therapy. Through case studies, discussion, and experiential practices, participants will learn to recognize the hidden imprint of sexual grief and guide clients toward healing, agency, and emotional transformation.
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This multi-part session explores how indigenous African sexual customs and rituals can inform modern sex therapy practices. The first segment examines traditional African approaches to sexuality and their potential therapeutic value, especially for African American clients. Additional modules include culturally specific biopsychosexual assessments of African American men (3/5 a Man) and women (Freak Like Me), highlighting how historical trauma impacts sexual health. A final module distinguishes between BDSM and paraphilic disorders, clarifying key clinical considerations for culturally competent care.
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This presentation reimagines monogamy not as a fixed status, but as a living, evolving relationship model. By examining the shifting dynamics of long-term intimacy, this session offers a fresh framework for individuals and couples to deepen connection through communication, consent, and consistency. Participants will gain practical tools to help clients maintain erotic vitality, navigate changing needs, and foster meaningful intimacy—whether solo or in partnership.
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This session provides a comprehensive overview of how pornography use affects romantic and sexual relationships. Drawing from current research, the presentation explores emotional, psychological, and relational impacts, including shame and betrayal. Clinicians will learn how to assess and treat couples struggling with porn-related distress using integrated methods, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and somatic approaches. The session concludes with actionable interventions to support healing, communication, and relationship resilience.
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Compersion—the feeling of joy in a partner’s pleasure, even when it doesn't directly involve you—is a transformative concept often misunderstood in monogamous and non-monogamous contexts alike. This workshop introduces the foundational principles of compersion and provides practical strategies to help clients reframe jealousy, deepen empathy, and strengthen relational bonds. Based on Dr. Marie Thouin’s research and other key scholarship, participants will leave with tools to integrate compersion into clinical practice.
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When relationships reach a tipping point, sexual dynamics often become more complicated. This presentation offers clinicians a structured framework for addressing sexual concerns within couples who are uncertain about staying together. By exploring how sexual connection intersects with relational ambivalence, this session equips therapists with tools to help clients clarify values, improve communication, and navigate sexual dilemmas during high-stakes moments of change.
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Designed for clinicians supporting trauma survivors, this session focuses on guiding clients beyond survival toward reconnection with safety, intimacy, and pleasure. Through a sex-positive and compassionate lens, the workshop blends theory with embodied practices to restore boundaries, self-efficacy, and sensual exploration. Participants will gain practical tools to help clients rebuild trust in their bodies and reclaim empowered sexual expression after trauma.
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Sexuality is often suppressed during pregnancy and the postpartum period, contributing to distress and identity disruption at a time when support is most needed. This session offers a clinical and affirming approach to advocating for sexual wellness throughout the perinatal journey. Participants will explore strategies to celebrate embodied pleasure, maintain intimacy, and resist cultural narratives that promote self-abandonment. This session empowers clinicians to offer better, more holistic care to clients navigating the complex emotional and relational shifts of this life stage.
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Pelvic floor pain—particularly when experienced during sex—is common yet frequently dismissed or misunderstood in both medical and therapeutic settings. This workshop provides an in-depth overview of the psychological dimensions of pelvic pain, focusing on evidence-based, trauma-informed interventions. Drawing on real-world case studies, clinicians will learn how to assess, conceptualize, and support clients experiencing sexual pain, while also exploring techniques to rebuild pleasure, intimacy, and quality of life.
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This session addresses the often-misunderstood pain associated with penetrative sex, particularly for people with vaginas. By blending clinical insights with cultural critique and accessible anatomy, the presentation unpacks pelvic floor hypertonicity and the disconnect between pleasure and pain. Participants will leave with practical tools, neuroscience-informed language, and referral strategies to help clients move from fear and discomfort to empowered, embodied healing.
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This presentation explores the critical role of Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) and other medically trained sex counselors working at the intersection of clinical medicine and sexual health. Through case studies and lived experiences, attendees will learn how these professionals assess, educate, diagnose, and treat sexual health issues—particularly in underserved populations. The session clarifies distinctions between APRNs, sex therapists, and pelvic floor specialists while advocating for the expanded integration of hybrid models in sexual healthcare.
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While female sexual desire has been widely studied, arousal and pleasure—particularly the role of the clitoris—remain under-discussed. This session challenges reductionist models of female sexual dysfunction by reviewing clitoral anatomy, physiological arousal markers, and pleasure-centered frameworks. Participants will critically examine the limitations of pharmacological interventions and explore emerging research, including findings from the Lioness study, to reframe sexual wellness through a more holistic and pleasure-inclusive lens.
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Cultural narratives often pathologize menstruation, framing it as solely a source of discomfort. This presentation introduces a somatic and psychotherapeutic model for supporting menstrual wellness, integrating biological, psychological, and spiritual dimensions. Drawing from new research on subjective menstrual experiences, the session explores how embodied awareness of the womb-space can promote resilience, enhance body literacy, and reframe menstruation as a site of power, healing, and pleasure.
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This presentation examines the evolving landscape of sexual wellness technology, including AI, VR/AR, robotics, and other digital innovations. Participants will explore current trends, ethical considerations, and therapeutic applications of emerging tools in both clinical and mainstream contexts. The session will conclude with a moderated expert panel on how technology is reshaping intimacy, connection, and sexual expression in the 21st century.
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This session explores how survivors of sexual trauma may unconsciously or consciously re-enact aspects of their experiences, particularly through consensual kink practices like CNC (Consensual Non-Consent). Drawing on interviews with over 50 women, the presentation introduces a model for guided therapeutic scene-play aimed at creating mastery over traumatic origins. Case studies illustrate how clinicians can ethically support clients in reclaiming agency, reducing trauma symptoms, and transforming pain into empowered erotic expression.
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As psychedelic-assisted therapies gain mainstream momentum, new questions are emerging about their role in healing intimacy, desire, and erotic trauma. This session investigates how substances such as MDMA, psilocybin, and ketamine are being explored to deepen relational connection and repair erotic wounds. Blending clinical research, personal narratives, and cultural critique, participants will reflect on the potential—and limitations—of psychedelics to expand our understanding of safety, pleasure, and connection.
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This integrative session bridges somatic psychotherapy, trauma theory, and tantra to help clients reconnect with pleasure and wholeness after loss or trauma. Drawing on Process-Oriented Psychology and body-based practices, the workshop offers practical techniques for working with erotic shutdown, inner critics, grief, and shame. Through breath, movement, and guided visualization, participants will learn how to support clients in reclaiming their erotic vitality, restoring self-consent, and embodying post-traumatic growth.
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This lively, judgment-free session offers a fresh approach to STI education that centers empowerment, clarity, and consent. Participants will examine the historical and social stigmas around STIs, review up-to-date medical information, and gain tools to support open conversations with clients. Designed to dismantle shame and misinformation, this workshop equips professionals to foster sexually healthy and informed communities—with just the right dose of fun.
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This interactive session introduces masturbation coaching as a trauma-informed intervention rooted in somatic sex education and attachment theory. Participants will explore how early nonverbal touch experiences shape adult patterns of trust, regulation, and erotic connection. Through neuroscience and experiential practice, the presentation provides a framework for using self-touch as a way to rewire attachment imprints, promote healing, and strengthen relational and erotic self-trust.
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Blending personal narrative with professional insight, this multimedia solo show chronicles the life and career of an anthropologist and sexologist shaped by the Feminist and Sexual Revolutions of the 1960s and 70s. Through storytelling, visuals, music, and dance, the presentation offers a deeply human exploration of sexual identity, academic inquiry, and embodied liberation. Participants will gain a rich perspective on how lived experience, cultural history, and research intersect in the evolving field of sexology.
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This presentation explores the complex intersections of sexuality, immigration, and cultural identity, with a focus on the lived experiences of immigrant and queer communities. Emphasizing the impact of immigration policy, acculturation, and systemic marginalization, the session offers clinical insights and practical tools for providing culturally competent, affirming care. Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of how to navigate cultural nuance, advocate for sexual well-being, and support clients across borders and identities.
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This playful yet thought-provoking session explores how parasocial relationships—those one-sided bonds we form with media characters—shape our understanding of intimacy, identity, and erotic desire. From anime fandoms to sitcom obsessions and AI companions, the presentation traces the cultural evolution of parasociality and its impact on therapeutic work. Clinicians will gain insight into how these dynamics affect clients’ real-life relationships and discover strategies for incorporating media-informed intimacy into therapeutic dialogue.
SHA 2025 annual sexological conference KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
Dr. Tara Suwinyattichaiporn, PhD
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Associate Professor and Global Thought Leader Bridging Sexual Health Research, Media Expertise, and a 2.3M+ Social Media Following
Dr. Tara Suwinyattichaiporn is an associate professor in the Department of Human Communication Studies teaching sexual and relational communication as well as quantitative research methods. As a prominent sex and relationship expert, her work can be seen in the media (KTLA news, CBS, Fox, Refinery29, Cosmopolitan, Forbes, etc.) and on social media platforms where she has cultivated over 2.3 million followers. This led Paper Magazine to coin her as 'The Internet's Resident Sexpert.' Dr. Tara is also an expert and host on UK's popular TV show 'Celebs Go Dating' and she gives advice in her monthly column on Women's Health Magazine called 'Sexplore with Dr. Tara.' Her passion is to create positive change wherever she goes, which is the reason why she wanted to establish the positive change scholarship awarding a student who creates positive change in their community, in-person and online.
Dr. Tara is the host and producer of her wildly popular podcast, Luvbites by Dr. Tara. Every week on Luvbites she guides you to explore your sexuality. Learn to develop habits for long-term sexual wellness and cultivate passionate and fulfilling relationships.
Dr. Chris Donaghue, PhD, CST
Keynote speaker
Director of Clinical Education at SHA, Certified Sex Therapist, National Media Contributor, and International Expert on Authentic Sexuality and Diverse Relationships
Dr. Chris Donaghue is an international lecturer, therapist, and educator. Dr Donaghue is the Director of Clinical Education for The Sexual Health Alliance (SHA), host of the LoveLine podcast, weekly expert on “The Amber Rose Show”, and frequent co host on “The Doctors” tv show. He previously hosted WE tv’s “Sex Box”and Logo tv’s “Bad Sex”. He is published in various professional journals and top magazines, and has been featured on The Today Show, VICE, CNN, HLN, OWN, Nightline, Dr Drew and in Newsweek, New York Times, Daily Beast, Mens Health, Cosmo, and National Geographic. Author of the book, “Sex Outside the Lines: Authentic Sexuality in a Sexually Dysfunctional Culture”. Dr. Donaghue has lectured at prestigious Universities including USC, UCLA, and Princeton as well as being the keynote at various professional conferences such as Chicago Ideas Week, American Association for Sex Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT), and The Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality (SSSS). Dr. Chris Donaghue is a Doctor of Clinical Sexology and Human Sexuality, Doctoral trained in Clinical Psychology, Licensed Clinical Therapist, a Certified Sex Therapist and a Certified Sexologist. Dr. Donaghue practices general psychology and specializes in individual and couples sex, relational, and marital therapy. His work also includes sexual compulsivity, sexual anorexia, sexual dysfunctions, and non-traditional sexuality, identities, and relationships. His work is also with diverse individuals, including all gender expressions, sexual orientations, and Kink/BDSM/Poly issues. His office is located in Los Angeles.
Dr. Evan Goldstein, MD
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Renowned Anal Surgeon, Founder of Bespoke Surgical and Future Method, and National Leader in LGBTQ+ Sexual Health and Stigma Reduction
Dr. Evan Goldstein is a nationally renowned anal surgeon and the Founder and CEO of Bespoke Surgical, the leading private practice specializing in an elite standard of sexual health and wellness care in New York City. His practice caters to a wide range of clientele; however, the majority of his patients are LGBTQ+. Dr. Goldstein is also the Co-Founder of Future Method, an innovative sex care brand that is the result of Dr. Goldstein’s years of experience working with his clients and understanding their sexual needs which people from a wide spectrum of sexualities have embraced.
As the preeminent expert and thought leader in the field, Dr. Goldstein is committed to education and awareness not only bringing the important issues surrounding sexual health to the forefront but also eliminating the stigma attached to anal engagement. Relating to a wider audience, Dr. Goldstein leaves the medical jargon behind and communicates in a straight-forward, direct manner, breaking down taboos and allowing for more conversational and open discussions.
Dr. Goldstein has extensive experience educating and shedding light on healthcare issues relating to both the LGBTQ+ community and mainstream audiences. He is a frequent resource for journalists and has been published in many national media outlets including NBC.com, GQ, Well + Good, Men’s Health, Cosmopolitan, HuffPost, NY Magazine, Forbes, and many others. He was named one of New York City’s top LGBTQ+ business leaders by Crain’s New York in 2020. He maintains his own collection of essays relating to his practice and daily life on Medium.com, as well as a weekly IGTV series that covers familiar issues he sees at his practice, as well as user-submitted questions and topics.
Dr. David Ley, PhD, CST-S
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Clinical Psychologist, Author of The Myth of Sex Addiction, and National Thought Leader on Healthy Sexuality and Ethical Pornography
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.
Dr. Justin Lehmiller, PhD
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Kinsey Institute Research Fellow, Harvard Award-Winning Educator, and Author of Tell Me What You Want
Dr. Justin Lehmiller leads the Sexual Health Alliance Study Abroad program to Amsterdam, Berlin, Prague, Iceland, Barcelona and more coming soon. He received his Ph.D. in Social Psychology from Purdue University. He is a Research Fellow at The Kinsey Institute and author of the book Tell Me What You Want: The Science of Sexual Desire and How It Can Help You Improve Your Sex Life. Dr. Lehmiller is an award-winning educator, having been honored three times with the Certificate of Teaching Excellence from Harvard University, where he taught for several years. He is also a prolific researcher and scholar who has published more than 50 academic works to date, including a textbook titled The Psychology of Human Sexuality (now in its second edition) that is used in college classrooms around the world. Dr. Lehmiller's research focuses on topics including casual sex, sexual fantasy, sexual health, and friends with benefits. His studies have appeared in all of the leading journals on human sexuality, including the Journal of Sex Research, Archives of Sexual Behavior, and The Journal of Sexual Medicine.
Dr. Lehmiller has run the popular blog Sex and Psychology since 2011, and it now receives several million page views per year. He has been interviewed by numerous media outlets, including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Chicago Tribune, The Boston Globe, CNN, The Atlantic, The Globe and Mail, and The Sunday Times. He has been named one of 5 "Sexperts" You Need to Follow on Twitter by Men's Health and one of the "modern-day masters of sex" by Nerve. Dr. Lehmiller has appeared on the Netflix series Sex, Explained, he has been on several episodes of the television program Taboo on the National Geographic Channel, and he has been a guest on Dr. Phil. Dr. Lehmiller has also appeared on numerous podcasts and radio shows, including the Savage Lovecast, the BBC’s Up All Night, and several NPR programs (1A, Radio Times, and Airtalk).
He is a popular freelance writer, penning columns and op-eds for major publications, including The Washington Post, Playboy, USA Today, VICE, Psychology Today, Men’s Health, Politico, and New York Magazine. In addition, the articles he writes on Sex and Psychology have been syndicated on major websites, including Business Insider, Huffington Post, and Thought Catalog. He has also interviewed several prominent authors, journalists, and psychologists about their work for his blog and podcast, including Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Lisa Ling, Drs. John and Julie Gottman, and bestselling authors Christopher Ryan (Sex at Dawn) and Lisa Taddeo (Three Women).
Dr. Lehmiller has given talks around the world on sex, love, and relationships. He is available as an expert speaker and has experience consulting on legal cases, including taking the stand as an expert witness. Dr. Lehmiller has also worked with several major sexual health and wellness brands and is available as a spokesperson, as well as a media, marketing, and product development consultant.
Midori
Keynote Speaker
Sexuality Educator, US Army Veteran, and Author Bridging Japanese and American Kink Cultures, AASECT Humanitarian Award Winner, and Leader in Consent-Based BDSM Education
Born and raised in Japan, then spending formative years in 90’s San Francisco safer sex and alt sex activists circles, Midori brings a multicultural and holistic approach to education and discussion of kink, BDSM, and consent.
Dubbed the “Supernova of Kink” by Dan Savage, Midori emerged from the Sex Positive movement in San Francisco in the early 1990s as a grassroots activist educator to become a well-regarded educator and thinker on BDSM sexuality, kink, consent, and sex ways in Japan and the US.
Midori founded Rope Dojo in 2003, ForteFemme Women’s Dominance Weekend Intensive in 2004, and Consent Dojo in 2020. Awarded the AASECT Humanitarian Award in 2022. She is the Co-director of Education for Kink Informed Certification through Sexual Health Alliance. She has served as an advisor for many organizations and companies on matters of BDSM, kink, and consent. Her teaching style and strength lay in her ability to deconstruct and distill complex matters of desire into accessible lessons with humor and humanity.
She is known for her book “The Seductive Art of Japanese Bondage”, the first English instruction book on Shibari. She contributed the chapter on BDSM and women of the Asian diaspora in “An Intersectional Approach to Sex Therapy: Centering the Lives of Indigenous, Racialized, and People of Color”, and has contributed to numerous articles, columns, works of fiction, and instructional books. When she’s not traveling and teaching, she’s creating social practice art and performances. She’s a UC Berkeley graduate and served in the US Army.
40+ presenting Speakers
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Dr. Soum Rakshit, FIET, FRSA is the Co-Founder & CEO of MV.Health. He did his PhD in Biomedical Engineering and created a startup in eye recognition which was acquired by a US defence company. He then spent 7 years in management consulting on large technology projects. In 2014 Soum started MV.Health to bring defence electronics and medical expertise together to create medical devices that adapt to the user's body & deliver targeted vibrations to address major issues like genito-pelvic pain, penetration pain, arousal disorder, erectile dysfunction, delayed ejaculation, prostatitis, period pain, mastitis, and more.
CEO of MV.Health and Biomedical Engineer Revolutionizing SexTech
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Kaamna is a certified sexologist, media personality and thought leader. Kaamna studied sexuality at Columbia University where she did a deep dive into sexual shame across cultures. Today, Kaamna is one of the leading voices on research around sex, tech and the future of intimacy. Kaamna is the host of the podcast Sex, Tech and Spirituality and author of the column Becoming Technosexual on Psychology Today.
Columbia-Trained Sexologist and Host of Sex, Tech and Spirituality
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Kelly Tull is a board-certified Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP) and AASECT Certified Sexuality Counselor with a deep commitment to providing compassionate, patient-centered care. With over eight years of experience in OB/GYN settings, she specializes in sexual health counseling, contraception management, menopause care, and preventative health services.
Kelly has worked extensively in clinical practice, collaborating with physicians and healthcare teams to deliver comprehensive gynecologic care, including well-woman exams, STI screening and treatment, and vulvar disease management. Passionate about education, she integrates sexual health counseling into her practice, helping patients navigate issues related to intimacy, reproductive health, and overall well-being.
Beyond her clinical work, Kelly is dedicated to professional development and mentorship, serving as a preceptor for nurse practitioner and physician assistant students. She is an active member of the Sexual Health Alliance and the Nurse Practitioners of Women’s Health organization, continuously expanding her expertise through specialized training in sexual health, HIV prevention, and reproductive healthcare. With a patient-first approach, Kelly strives to create a safe, inclusive space where individuals can access the knowledge and support they need to make informed healthcare decisions.
WHNP and Certified Sexuality Counselor Specializing in Patient-Centered Care
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Charlie Glickman PhD is a sex & relationship coach, a sexuality educator, a sexological bodyworker, and an internationally-acclaimed speaker. He’s been working in this field for over 30 years, and some of his areas of focus include sex & shame, sex-positivity, queer issues, masculinity & gender, communities of erotic affiliation, and many sexual & relationship practices. Charlie is also the co-author of The Ultimate Guide to Prostate Pleasure: Erotic Exploration for Men and Their Partners. In February 2023, Charlie completed an accountability process. For more info about that or to learn about his coaching offerings, visit www.makesexeasy.com
Sexuality Educator, Sexological Bodyworker, and Internationally Recognized Expert on Sex-Positivity, Shame, and Queer Intimacy: Author of The Ultimate Guide to Prostate Pleasure
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Mr. Vigorito is a sex therapist, author and trainer. As a psychotherapist, he provides individual, couples and group psychotherapy for a broad range of sexual and behavioral health concerns: relationship and sexual dissatisfaction, consensual sexual problems, sexual disorders, erotic and identity conflicts, and sex-related drug use.In collaboration with Douglas Braun-Harvey, LMFT, Mr. Vigorito co-developed a sexual health assessment and treatment protocol, published in Treating Out of Control Sexual Behavior - Rethinking Sex Addiction (recipient of the SSTAR 2018 Health Professional Book Award).
Mr. Vigorito has designed and implemented several SAMHSA- and CDC-funded training initiatives focused on integrating sexual health services into behavioral health care. These programs provided training and technical assistance in conducting routine sexual health conversations, offering sexual risk-reduction counseling, and delivering LGBTQ+ affirming care within behavioral health systems.
In his most recent role with the University of Maryland Prevention Research Center, he led the implementation of the Sexual and Gender Diversity Learning Community—a CDC-funded, LGBTQ+ affirmative care training program for mental health providers and organizations, co-developed with Sean Lare, LCSW-C.
In addition to his work with federal initiatives, Mr. Vigorito offers both local and national workshops for behavioral health professionals on a range of sexual health topics, including the assessment and treatment of out-of-control sexual behavior (OCSB), sexuality and gender diversity, and integrating sexual health into clinical practice. (Please visit the Workshops page for a full list of offerings.)
Mr. Vigorito is licensed in the District of Columbia, Virginia, and California as a Marriage & Family Therapist [DC LMFT000153; VA 0717001280; CA MFC41512] and Maryland as a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor [LC5169]. Mr. Vigorito is also a Certified Group Psychotherapist through the American Group Psychotherapy Association (AGPA) and a Certified Sex Therapist and Sex Therapist Supervisor through the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT). Mr. Vigorito is the President-elect of the Society for Sex Therapy and Research (SSTAR).
Certified Sex Therapist, Co-Author of Treating Out of Control Sexual Behavior, and National Leader in LGBTQ+ Affirming Sexual Health Care
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Psychotherapist Joe Kort, PhD, LMSW, is the clinical director and founder of The Center for Relationship and Sexual Health in Royal Oak, Michigan. He is a board-certified clinical sexologist, author of four books, lecturer and facilitator of therapeutic workshops. Throughout his 36 years of private practice, he successfully has utilized varying therapy modalities to help hundreds of individuals and couples improve their lives and strengthen their relationships.Dr. Kort specializes in marital problems and conflicts; mixed orientation marriages; male sexuality and sexual health concerns; “sex addiction,” out-of-control sexual behaviors; sexual identity issues; childhood sexual abuse; LGBTQIA Affirmative Therapy; and Imago Relationship Therapy.
He is trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing), a safe and effective treatment that can help patients who have suffered for years from anxiety, distressing memories, nightmares, insomnia, abuse or other traumatic events.
Dr. Kort obtained his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan, with a dual major in psychology and social work. He earned master’s degrees in social work and psychology from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan, and a doctorate (PhD) in Clinical Sexology from the American Academy of Clinical Sexologists.
Clinical Sexologist & Expert in LGBTQIA+ and Mixed Orientation Therapy
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Dr. Ashley Winter is a board-certified urologist and fellowship trained in sexual medicine with extensive experience in sexual medicine for all genders. She is located in the Los Angeles, California, area. Dr. Winter treats patients of all genders for sexual dysfunction.She is a huge advocate for vaginal estrogen to support a healthy urinary tract and to treat genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) and genitourinary syndrome of lactation (GSL). She provides care for perimenopause and menopause, low testosterone for all genders, erectile dysfunction, low libido, orgasm disorders, and urinary tract infections. She also works closely with pelvic physical therapists onsite to coordinate care for those with pelvic floor dysfunction and chronic pelvic pain.
Dr. Winter received her B.S. in biomedical/medical engineering from Rutgers University. She received her medical degree from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and completed her residency in urology at Weill Cornell Medical Center. After finishing her residency, she spent an additional year studying male and female sexual medicine in San Diego.
Dr. Winter loves taking care of all genders as individuals and couples. She believes that the capacity for intimacy is fundamental towards helping people thrive.
Board-Certified Urologist and Sexual Medicine Specialist Providing Inclusive, Evidence-Based Care Across the Gender Spectrum
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Kelvin 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.
Trauma-Informed Sex Therapist Specializing in LGBTQ+ and CNM Clients
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Andrew Pari, LCSW, Diplomate, has been identified as the nation’s leading authority on the neuro-biological arousal mechanism in sexualized violence. Founder and Director of Sexual Awakening & Awareness, he is a psychotherapist with over 25 years’ experience treating survivors, including specialized populations in the sex industry and trafficking victims.
Andrew’s path to this point is a winding one, reflective of his passion and focus on “the human gaps.” What is unseen and undiscussed in human behavior captures his attention. At 15 years old, he saw a documentary on CSEC (Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children), what was then called “teen prostitution.” It opened his eyes to a part of life he knew nothing about. These were girls his age, forced into a life they didn’t want, often because of harms committed by others. This was the beginning of a life dedicated to reducing harm and understanding the complexity of human sexuality.
His naturally quick mind and desire to live in the moment led him on a path through stand-up comedy, improvisation, two degrees in psychotherapy, director of emergency psychiatric response for L.A. County, inpatient and outpatient psychotherapy and all the while, providing dedicated care to women suffering from abuse and sexual assault.
A Q&A on the undiscussed topic of sexual arousal in sexual assault on a popular social media site catapulted him to the national stage when he was invited to present his unique work at a survivors’ conference. This led to his presenting his psychotherapeutic and forensic concepts at some of the most prestigious conferences in the country and abroad, including End Violence Against Women Int’l (EVAWI), Conference on Crimes Against Women (CCAW), International Society for the Study of Trauma & Dissociation (ISSTD), the Community-Academic Consortium for Research on Alternative Sexualities (CARAS), and the Institute for Violence, Abuse, & Trauma (IVAT).
Andrew consults and trains forensic and mental health professionals internationally, is available for expert testimony, and has assisted in curriculum development for SARS and campus sexual assault awareness programs. He is one of the NASW’s “1000 Experts,” selected to respond to media inquiries/interviews on trauma, sexualized violence, and disaster response. He served on a national task force creating policy for sex work and commercialized sex trade. He directed the psychiatric emergency response team for West Los Angeles, responding to anything from celebrity interventions to airline crashes. He is a clinical supervisor, a trauma-informed clinician trained in multiple models of trauma recovery, and versatile trainer. He is a current Board Member for the Center for Positive Sexuality where he directs their Sex-Positive Certification Program. He serves on multiple conference planning committees including for the Institute for Violence, Abuse, & Trauma (IVAT), Embrancing the Diversity of GLBTQ Youth (EDGY), and the Center for Positive Sexuality’s SexPosCon.
Mr. Pari hosted the largest ever public discussions on topics related to sexual abuse and rape. He is a moderator for forums on rape and recovery. He is a sought-after speaker, co-creator and former host of the Los Angeles radio show, Chasing the Why, where he covered a wide-range of social topics from the Japanese tsunami disaster to the international SlutWalk movement, and an accomplished performer.
His personal interests include acting, directing and performing improvisational comedy, an area where he also provides self-care training to fellow clinicians to assist them in thinking on their feet and extending their Gestalt and therapeutic drama skill. He is the recipient of a 2015 Los Angeles regional theatre award for his portrayal of Atticus Finch in “To Kill a Mockingbird,” and is a devoted Hamilton fan. (Ask him to shoot off a round of “My Shot!”)
He received his Master of Social Work degree from California State University, Long Beach in 1992, and currently practices, trains, and consults as Director of Sexual Awakening & Awareness.
He can be contacted via his website: www.SAAwareness.com and by email: Andrew@SAAwareness.com.
National Expert on Arousal in Sexualized Violence & Trauma Recovery
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LeKeisha Jones is originally from Saint Paul, Minnesota, and has been based in Atlanta, Georgia since 1999. She is a mental health counselor and board-certified clinical sexologist with the American Board of Sexology. LeKeisha holds a Master of Science in Clinical Counseling Psychology from Brenau University and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Ashford University. She is also a certified Sex Coach through Sex Coach U. In addition to her clinical work, LeKeisha is an adjunct professor, erotic poet, and soon-to-be author.
Board-Certified Sexologist Blending Mental Health and Erotic Expression
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Dr. Justin is a psychologist and associate professor at the University of South Carolina Salkehatchie who publishes original scientific research in peer-reviewed academic journals. He was trained in the evolutionary sciences, but he mingle with sexuality and relationship scientists because he study intimate relationships and non-monogamy. His published work is most easily accessed via my ResearchGate profile, but currently, he leads an international team of more than forty researchers studying the relationship maintenance practices of people in consensually non-monogamous (CNM) relationships. His reasoning is this: if scientists can quantify and standardize the things that people in CNM relationships do to prevent the drama of having multiple partners by other means (e.g., infidelity, or lying to a partner), then these practices can be disseminated to help individuals and couples troubleshoot relationship issues related to non-monogamy.
Professor, Psychologist, and Gamer Leading Global Research on Consensual Non-Monogamy
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Amanda Jepson is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Approved Clinical Supervisor, AASECT-Certified Sex Therapist, and a Board-Certified Sexologist. Amanda has been a therapist for over a decade; she works with active duty and veteran military as well as first responders in the intersection of trauma recovery and pleasure reclamation.
Sex Therapist and Trauma-Informed Clinician Serving Military Communities
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Rachel Zar, PhD, LMFT, CST is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, AASECT-Certified Sex Therapist, and Clinical Sexologist who specializes in relationship and sex therapy. She holds a Masters of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy from The Family Institute at Northwestern University and a PhD in Clinical Sexology from Modern Sex Therapy Institutes. She also holds certificates in sex therapy and sexuality education from University of Michigan.
Dr. Zar sees individuals and couples and provides clinical supervision at Avid Intimacy, a private group therapy practice in Chicago.
While all sexual or relational concerns are welcome in her office, Dr. Zar specializes in working with those experiencing sexual functioning issues including painful sex (vulvodynia, vaginismus, etc.), difficulty with or inability to orgasm, or low or diminished libido.She worked for many years at the Center for Sexual Medicine and the Center for Menopause, gynecologic subspecialty groups that are part of Northwestern Medicine, and her PhD dissertation focused on the lived experience of chronic genito-pelvic pain. She also specializes in supporting clients who are working toward a better understanding of their sexual selves, who are navigating dating distress, who are healing from past trauma, or who seek guidance about forming and maintaining relationships. For clients working on general anxiety, major life transitions, or other relational issues, she offers a sex-positive and sex-inclusive approach.
Dr. Zar is proudly an LGBTQ-, kink-, and poly- affirmative clinician. Dr. Zar is passionate about educating and mentoring other clinicians, and she frequently lectures, writes, and provides expert interviews for the media on myriad sex and relationship topics.
LMFT and Clinical Sexologist Specializing in Genito-Pelvic Pain and Libido
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Vaughn Aaron Paradise exists as a therapist, fantasy author, and touring musician. Their research and clinical work has focused on the intersection of mass media, art, and mental health. From narrative therapy music production to mental health awareness music festivals, Paradise aims to blend worlds and serve as a guide for those navigating the journey between entropy and evolution.
Therapist and Interdisciplinary Creator Exploring the Intersection of Mental Health, Media, and Transformative Storytelling
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Danielle Beaty is a certified Sexologist from the Sexology Institute, specializing in helping individuals navigate STI diagnoses, sexual identity discoveries, non-traditional relationship styles, and communication improvements in their sexual relationships. With a passion for fostering inclusive, evidence-based conversations, Danielle is committed to empowering people through comprehensive sexual health education.
In addition to her work as a sexologist, Danielle teaches laughter yoga and sensual embodiment dance, creating safe and joyful spaces for individuals to explore and connect with their bodies. She also leads engaging sexual education trivia events and virtual workshops, encouraging open dialogue and accessible learning opportunities for all.
As a presenter at the Sexual Health Alliance conference, Danielle will share her insights on sexually transmitted infections, drawing from extensive experience in the field. Her dedication to promoting consent culture, sexual health equity, and trauma-informed education underscores her commitment to creating supportive and inclusive environments.
When not engaged in her work, Danielle enjoys backcountry skiing and attending local drag shows, celebrating the vibrant communities that inspire her passion for advocacy and education.
Sexologist and STI Educator Championing Consent Culture
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Hayden Lindsey, M.S., LPC, is a dedicated psychotherapist specializing in sex therapy, trauma recovery, relationship repair, and men's mental, relational, and sexual health. He established his private practice, Texas Intimacy Solutions, while living in Austin, TX and now resides on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State. He holds a Master of Science in Counseling from Southern Methodist University and has worked with diverse populations providing therapy, crisis intervention, and group facilitation.Dedicated to continuous learning, he has trained in Relational Life Therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy, Internal Family Systems, and sex therapy. When not doing psychotherapy, Hayden can be found on the trails of the Olympic Mountains, playing music in any number of establishments of varying repute, or spending time with his partner, Carolyn, and their two dogs.
LPC Blending Outdoor Spirit, Music, and Therapy for Whole-Person Healing
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Dee Hartmann is an internationally recognized author, teacher, and speaker on the treatment of chronic vulvar pain. For over 27 years she devoted the majority of her private practice to the treatment of women with chronic vulvar pain, sexual dysfunction, chronic pelvic pain, and bowel and bladder disorders.
A pioneer in her field, Dee is or has been a member, fellow, president, and board director for a vast array of organizations dedicated to women’s sexual health and pelvic pain, including the International Pelvic Pain Society (IPPS), International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease (ISSVD), the International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health (ISSWSH), the Interational Society for Sexual Medicine (ISSM), and the World Association for Sexual Health (WAS).
Her research and findings are widely published in journals and books, and she has been a lecturer and instructor at numerous schools, universities, workshops, and conferences around the world. After retiring from clinical practice in 2017, she and Elizabeth Wood MSW focused on reframing the conversation around female sexual arousal and pleasure through publication of their book, "The Pleasure Prescription: A Surprising Approach to Healing Sexual Pain" in 2021.
Co-Author of The Pleasure Prescription & Pioneer in Pelvic Pain Treatment
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Anna Lee is the co-founder and CEO of Lioness, the first and only smart vibrator company using biofeedback to unlock the science of your orgasm. Anna was previously a mechanical engineer at Amazon, launching the Amazon Dash Button and the Kindle Voyage. She was most recently named one of Newsweek’s 10 Innovators Disrupting Healthcareas well as Forbes 30 Under 30. With over 300,000 data points on sexual pleasure collected through Lioness, Anna is on a mission to expand the understanding and scientific research of sexual wellness.
Forbes 30 Under 30 Innovator and Engineer-Turned-CEO Revolutionizing Orgasm Science
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Crista Reid, MA candidate in Somatic Psychotherapy at Naropa University, is dedicated to guiding individuals toward a more fulfilling and confident relationship with their sexuality. Rooted in the belief that sensuality is an innate human experience, Crista specializes in body-based approaches to support clients in expanding their capacity for pleasure, wellness, and intimate connection. She bridges somatic awareness with emotional and relational depth, inviting clients into a more embodied and liberated experience of intimacy. Her work fosters deeper relationships with both self and others, empowering clients to access joy and satisfaction through somatic sex therapy.
A lifelong Coloradoan, Crista finds inspiration in nature’s rhythms and can often be found meandering in the mountains with her dog, resting in a forest hammock, or flowing through ecstatic dance spaces. Crista's background in the fine arts and performing arts informs her creative approach in healing modalities. Her passion for researching the menstrual cycle within somatic work grew from her own journey to reconnect with her monthly flow after years on birth control. She has lead transformative workshops and retreats on the themes of sexuality, intimacy, and dance, all in commitment to helping others access deeper pleasure, healing, and embodiment through body-based awareness.
Somatic Psychotherapist-in-Training Guiding Pleasure Through Embodiment
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Dr. Leanna Wolfe holds a PhD in Sexology, an MA in Anthropology and has published numerous scholarly articles and books, as well as conducting in-depth field work on polygamy, polyamory and infidelity all over the world. She did her doctoral research on “Jealousy and Transformation in Polyamorous Relationships.” Dr. Wolfe is a retired professor of anthropology, having taught upwards of 10,000 students over the course of her 35 year career. She currently sees clients for sex and relationship counseling and performs her solo show, “177 Lovers and Counting: My Life as a Sex Researcher” which draws from her 2024 auto-ethnography by the same title.
Dr. Wolfe has been the lead researcher on a variety of sexological studies including: Changing Perspectives on Sexual Assault (2018), The Culture of Cybersex and Internet Chat (2016), Herpes: Folklore, Fear and Realities (2014), Orgasm in America: Current Beliefs and Practices (2012), The Oral Sex Void: When There’s Not Enough at Home (2011), Sexual Culture of Baby Boomers (2010), and Who Cheats and Why? (2009). She has been featured widely on podcasts,TV, radio, and in print and is the author of numerous articles on polyamory including “Adding a Co-Wife” and “When One Lover is Not Enough” as well as the critically acclaimed book, Women Who May Never Marry: The Reasons, Realities and Opportunities.
Global Researcher on Infidelity and Author of 177 Lovers and Counting
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Lindsay Thorsen is a Doctor of Physical Therapy specializing in pelvic floor physical therapy—think PT for your private parts. She began her career in the hospital setting but transitioned to pelvic health early in the pandemic, where she quickly noticed a startling pattern: her patients—primarily vagina owners—haven’t been taught how their bodies work, especially when it comes to sex. And it glaringly shows. That realization lit a fire in her, fueling her mission to bridge the gap between pelvic health and sexual wellness.
Now deep in training to become a certified sex educator through the Sexual Health Alliance, Lindsay blends anatomy, neuroscience, and cultural critique with humor and compassion. She’s the founder of Sandia Pelvic Health in Albuquerque, NM, and is in the process of creating of Sex and Sensibility, a platform where science and pleasure come together...see what I did right there??
Her work focuses on pelvic floor dysfunction and dismantling the myths, narratives, and assumptions that complicate how we understand sex and pleasure. She’s presented twice at Nerd Nite—once myth-busting orgasms, and again unpacking arousal misconceptions. She’s spoken to rooms full of businesswomen about the sex education we never got in school, and recently led a session for high school juniors and seniors titled “What I Wish I’d Known About Sex at Your Age.” Regardless of who she’s working with, Lindsay’s goal is always the same: to reframe the tired cultural script, to make conversations about sex feel less clinical, less shame-filled, and a lot more human.
When she’s not deconstructing sex myths or helping someone release their pelvic floor, Lindsay is knee-deep in Sex School (a.k.a. SHA’s educator program), usually with a strong coffee in hand. A few fun facts: she hates cilantro, once capsized a sailboat in Hawaii as a kid, prefers said strong coffee iced even in winter, and is a proud, childless cat lady.
Doctor of Physical Therapy and Founder of Sandia Pelvic Health and Wellness
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Coral is a Certified Sexologist, Sex & Intimacy Coach, Sex Consultant.
Coral is not just a mentor - she’s a movement.As a sex & and intimacy coach, Coral specializes in helping individuals navigate the complexities of sexual desires and intimate relationships, fostering radical self-awareness and autonomy.
Her own lived experience and healing journey led her to sexology. Coral’s work is rooted in empathy, respect, and a deep understanding of the human experience.
Certified Sexologist and Intimacy Coach Guiding Radical Self-Awareness Through Empathy and Lived Experience
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Dr. Ashley is your guide to learning about your body without the shame or judgement. She's fought the fight to understand not just the physical side of her body, but also to find the liberation in sexual expression where performance once ruled her world. She's become truly committed to and loves learning how to better love her body. She believes her purpose while she's here is to help others do the same.
Dr. Ashley expands possibilities for individuals by helping them feel differently in their body first, and then by supporting their journey to exist in the world as the embodied version of themselves that they deserve to be.
The journey towards freedom within her body has been the greatest act of her life. Regardless of what else she accomplishes, this fight to become a better friend to her body will remain the bravest thing she's ever done. And she will fight alongside anyone who wants to unlock this same liberation within themselves.
Dr. Ashley is a Doctor of Physical Therapy, a pelvic health specialist, sexuality counselor, full-spectrum doula & doula educator. All of this has brought her to this point, where she can serve in a way that fully encompasses the entire existence of who we are. It’s allowed her to understand not just the physical, but the emotional, spiritual, and mental health determinants that are vital to thriving.
She's not here to just survive, she's here to thrive. And she can help you do the same.
Pelvic Health Doctor of Physical Therapy & Sexuality Counselor Championing Body Liberation
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Kelsey Kitsch is a provocative voice at the intersection of sex, psychedelics, and self-reclamation. A former CEO (twice named Canada's top female entrepreneur) turned cultural intimacy researcher, she blends lived experience, academic rigor, and deep somatic practice to reimagine how we relate—to ourselves, to each other, and to pleasure. Her upcoming book, The Spreadsheet: A Data-Driven Memoir of Sex, Self-Love, and the Spreadsheet That Changed Everything, chronicles her journey through divorce, desire, and the unlearning required to fall in love with her own truth. Kelsey teaches in MBA programs, speaks globally on intimacy and transformation, and is currently developing frameworks for psychedelic-informed relationship work. Expect equal parts science, soul, and straight talk.
Award-Winning CEO-Turned-Author of The Spreadsheet
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Edy Nathan is a licensed clinical social worker in private practice in New York City. Edy’s work focuses on topics surrounding the tough conversations people don’t like to have — grief, sex, and trauma. Her work in grief, trauma, and sexuality offers insight into the way loss affects the soul and the brain. She uses these insights to breathe new meaning into the lives of those held back by loss or trauma.
Edy has master’s degrees in Psychology, Drama, and Social Work, along with post-graduate work in Sex Therapy and Sex Education. She is a Certified Sex Therapist, Certified Hypnotherapist, EMDR clinician, psychodrama therapist, Psychology Today blogger, motivational speaker, and workshop leader. Edy is the author of It’s Grief: The Dance of Self Discovery through Trauma and
Loss. https://www.amazon.com/Its-Grief-Self-Discovery-Through-Trauma/dp/0997174307
Her next book, Sexual Grief Effect: Reveal the Shadow Wounds from Loathing to Liberation to Love, is in the works and proposed for publishing in 2024. You can connect with Edy at www.edynathan.com.
Certified Sex Therapist Linking Grief, Trauma & Erotic Healing
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Betty has had her hands on people professionally for 40 years (some of it legal and some of it questionable). 30 years as a Chiropractor and then 15 years as a certified Surrogate Partner and Somatic Sex Educator. These days her passion is training other hands-on practitioners in consent skills and how to teach their clients empowered choice - so they can stop doing what they think they are supposed to do, and start doing what it is they want to do. Her class for practitioners is called Like a Pro and it has taken her all over the world. Her book is The Art of Receiving and Giving: The Wheel of Consent. www.wheelofconsentbook.com.
Creator of the Wheel of Consent & Author of The Art of Receiving and Giving
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Melinda Porter, MA, LPC-S, CST-S, is a seasoned counselor and educator with over 20 years of experience. After 13 years in education, she earned a Master’s in Professional Counseling and transitioned into therapy to support individuals and couples in redefining intimacy. As an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist-Supervisor, she specializes in desire discrepancies, sexuality across the lifespan, and consensual non-monogamy. Melinda is passionate about helping clients explore and integrate all aspects of themselves on their journey to deeper connection and fulfillment.
AASECT Certified Sex Therapy Supervisor with 20+ Years of Experience
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Morghan Weber is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Addiction Counselor who deeply values the privilege of providing a safe, nonjudgmental space for clients to explore their needs, concerns, hopes, and dreams. Affectionately referred to as the “therapy cave,” Morghan’s practice environment encourages clients to let down their guard, feel supported with practical tools, and cultivate meaningful reflection and change in their lives and relationships.
Morghan earned their Master of Social Work degree from Metropolitan State University of Denver in 2020 and brings over eight years of experience in supporting individuals with persistent mental health challenges and their families.
Morghan has received specialized training and experience working with LGBTQIA+ individuals, substance use and recovery (including opioid use), depression, anxiety, grief, relationship challenges, sex therapy, monogamous and ethically non-monogamous partnerships, and prenatal and postpartum concerns.
Drawing from a range of therapeutic modalities, Morghan tailors each session to meet the unique needs of their clients. Their approach includes mindfulness and somatic awareness practices, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Solution-Focused Therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), and Motivational Interviewing.As a queer and non-binary practitioner, Morghan is committed to creating a space where clients feel free to explore all aspects of themselves, their relationships, and their lived experiences. They believe in meeting clients where they are, allowing space for authenticity and whole-self healing.
Queer and Non-Binary Practitioner Focused on Whole-Self Healing
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Rachel Rowlatt (she/her) is a Process-Oriented Psychotherapist, Sexologist, and Integrated Wellbeing Specialist who weaves science, spirituality, and somatic intelligence into trauma-informed care. With formal training in psychotherapy, counselling, forensic science, somatic therapy, and sacred sexuality, she bridges clinical insight with mystic intelligence, offering deeply grounded yet expansive spaces for healing and transformation.
Rachel’s work draws on Process-Oriented Psychology (Processwork), sexology, Taoist and Tantric traditions, breathwork, and body-based psychotherapy to support individuals and couples navigating trauma, grief, intimacy, and relational disconnection. Her approach integrates dreambody awareness, shadow work, archetypal energies, movement, and voice to restore erotic vitality, emotional safety, and embodied wholeness in both solo and partnered contexts.
She holds a Bachelor of Science, a Postgraduate Certificate in Forensic Science, an Advanced Diploma in Leadership and Management, and a Postgraduate Advanced Diploma in Trauma-Informed Processwork Psychotherapy. She is also a certified breathwork instructor and trained Tantric practitioner.
Rachel’s lived experience as a proud Aboriginal woman with disability informs her intersectional, decolonial, and inclusive approach to therapy and education. A former crime scene investigator, she brings forensic sensitivity to the emotional and energetic layers of healing. She works across individual and group therapy, couple and relationship work, creative expression, and education. She is the creator of Follow the White Rabbit podcast and the poetry/art project The Sapphic Rebellion.
Whether guiding a client, working with a couple, facilitating ritual, or speaking on stage, Rachel meets people at the edge of their becoming—with curiosity, care, and radical presence.
Intersectional Sexologist and Host of Follow the White Rabbit
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Erica Leroye, M.Ed., is a Certified Sexological Bodyworker and trauma-informed educator with over 30 years of experience at the intersection of somatic learning, sexual health, and neurodevelopment. She is the founder of Creative Body Release, an innovative methodology that blends sex education, movement coaching, attachment theory, and nervous system repair.
Her work integrates over 12 years of masturbation coaching with 30+ years of training parents, teachers, and clinicians in applied attachment frameworks. Erica is also the hostess of It Doesn’t Have to Be Hard (formerly Soft Cock Appreciation Week), a platform that centers compassionate, compassionate, and practical support for people with erectile challenges, their partners, and the professionals who serve them.
She specializes in helping cis-men and their partners build erotic confidence, nervous system regulation, and arousal skill through a lens of oxytocin science, affective touch, and embodied storytelling. Her unique style is grounded, while also full of levity, and deeply compassionate—guiding clients and professionals alike to reclaim the body as a source of wisdom, play, and connection.
Sexological Bodyworker Coaching Men Toward Erotic Confidence
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Christopher Scott, Ph.D., LP, CGT, CST is a counseling psychologist in private practice in the Houston area. He has been licensed to practiced since 2007 and has worked in a variety of settings including community mental health and university counseling centers. Dr. Scott currently practice focuses primarily on helping people improve their relationships and works with a diverse clientele. Dr. Scott became a Certified Gottman Therapist in 2019 and AASECT certified sex therapist in 2022. Dr. Scott was licensed as a psychologist in North Carolina in 2007 (license retired) and in Texas since 2009.
Psychologist and Sex Therapist Working with Diverse Clientele
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Dr. Meghan Roche is a licensed psychologist and the owner of Roche Psychological Services, PLLC, located in Houston, Texas. Since founding her private practice in June 2020, Dr. Roche has specialized in trauma-informed care, offering culturally competent psychological services to a diverse adult population. She is committed to staying current with research advancements and therapeutic techniques to enhance the therapeutic alliance with her clients.
Dr. Roche is formerly a staff psychologist at the University of Houston’s Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), where she has worked since 2018. She served as the department head of assessment, overseeing yearly plans, data analysis, and reports to university leadership. She has also taught multiple graduate level courses including advanced theory and clinical supervision and consultation.
Psychologist Focusing on Trauma-Informed care and Culturally Competent Services
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Cassandra is a Registered Psychologist in Edmonton, Alberta, who specializes in the psychological treatment of sexual health and sex-related issues. Cassandra is an advocate for education and believes that providing such can lead to empowerment and change for people. She has extensive training and experience in sex therapy. Currently, Cassandra works in a private practice, with both couples and individuals. Her primary focuses are on sexual pain (aka pelvic floor pain) and dysfunction (e.g., erectile dysfunction), desire issues, infidelity and increasing intimacy in relationships.
Psychologist Specializing in Sexual Pain, Desire & Relationship Intimacy
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Nikita Fernandes (she/her) is a certified sex therapist and psychotherapist located in New York City. She lives at the intersections of various identities such as being an immigrant, south asian, queer, neurodivergent and poly. Her work lies in empowering people with marginalised identities to cultivate mindful relationships with their sexuality. Nikita has worked with multiple kinky individuals and poly couples in New York City and has been featured in Cosmopolitan, GQ, and Huff post.
NYC Sex Therapist Empowering Queer, Neurodivergent & Poly Clients
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Dr. Carla R. Rosinski, PhD, LMHC, CST is a seasoned clinician and certified sex therapist with over 20 years of diverse clinical experience. Her journey began in the 1990s when she came out as queer during the HIV epidemic, sparking her involvement in HIV education and activism. Carla's early career included roles as a sex educator and sexuality counselor, grounded in anti-oppression principles and a public health perspective. These foundational experiences fueled her commitment to promoting comprehensive sex education and advocating for LGBTQ+ inclusive healthcare.
Carla has extensive experience in trauma-informed care and has held various positions in community mental health and nonprofit organizations. In 2011, she opened Rosinski Therapy and Consultation focused on providing gender-affirming care for transgender and nonbinary clients. Since then, Rosinski Therapy has expanded into a group practice serving all genders, sexualities and relationship structures.
Her commitment to lifelong learning led to pursuing a PhD in counseling psychology with an emphasis on transformative leadership, education, and applied research. Her doctoral training expanded her experience presenting at national conferences, contributing to academic literature through peer review and as an adjunct professor in graduate programs. Since graduating in 2021 Dr Rosinski’s dissertation research has over 4000 downloads and 6 citations. Carla has presented this research at the Society for the Psychological Studies of Social Issues (SPSSI) in Puerto Rico, the APA Society for Qualitative Inquiry in Psychology (SQIP) Virtual Salon series, the Winter Roundtable at Columbia University and the Graduate Conference on Gender, Culture, Women and Sexuality at MIT. In 2024 Carla joined the Optimal Sexual Experiences research team, directed by Dr Peggy Kleinplatz, to deepen her research experience and contributions.
As an adjunct professor, Carla has facilitated and developed updated curricula for Human Sexuality and Clinical Practice and Supervision for graduate students. Carla is committed to increasing critical sex education for clinicians and the value of supervision throughout our careers. In 2023 Carla was awarded an NBCC foundation scholarship for clinical supervision. She is in the process of certification as an NBCC Approved Clinical Supervisor and AASECT Sex Therapy Supervisor.
Currently, she serves part time as the Executive Director of the Private Practice Colloquium (PPC), a nonprofit organization supporting multidisciplinary mental health clinicians in private practice. Under her leadership the PPC has strengthened its strategic vision and expanded programming impact with approval as an APA CE provider, and the upcoming launch of a custom online community platform for members. With over 600 members, the PPC is positioned as the largest network of independent providers in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and on track to double revenue from 2023 to 2026.
Queer Sex Therapist & Executive Director of PPC Advancing Clinician Community
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 20 CE hours.
Last Year’s Annual Sexological Conference Best moments!
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!
We’re honored to be supported by our 2025 Sexological Conference sponsors. Their commitment to advancing sexual health, inclusive sex education, and professional development in sexology helps make this event possible.
