Alumni & Current Students
April Lampert
SHA Certified Sexuality Educator - Graduated 2024
Sexual Health Alliance Presenter
Shameless Sex Podcast Co-Host and Book Author
Awarded Woman of the Year in the pleasure products industry in 2016 and Sexpert of the Year in 2024
Co-owner and Chief Sales and Partnerships Officer of Hot Octopuss
April Lampert is a Sexual Health Alliance Certified Sexuality Educator and SHA Presenter. She is the co-host of one of the most listened-to podcasts in the world on sexuality, Shameless Sex, and is a published co-author of the book titled Shameless Sex, which was released in November 2023. She got her start in the pleasure industry in 2011, teaching people about sex toys in a sex-positive way. April served as the former Director of Sales for Fun Factory until 2017 and is now the co-owner and Chief Sales Officer at Hot Octopuss. She regularly teaches workshops on pleasure and conducts sex toy training worldwide. April was voted Xbiz Sexpert of the Year in 2022 and 2024
Shan Boodram
SHA Sexuality Educator Certification Student, AASECT Certified
Sexual Health Alliance Presenter
Chief Intimacy Officer at Arya, Sex and Relationship Expert at Bumble
Featured on NBC’s Today Show, ABC’s Good Morning America, The Talk, The Real, and The View.
Best Selling Author of The Game Of Desire and LAID
Featured in Teen Vogue, Cosmopolitan, CBC, Playboy, and InStyle
Shan Boodram is a sex educator, coach, and relationship expert with over 100 million YouTube views. She has had mainstream coverage across all major media networks including: ABC Good Morning America, The Talk, The Real, and The View. Boodram is currently the host of Hung Up from Headspace Studios and the Ambie-nominated podcast Lovers and Friends. You can watch Boodram as a recurring expert on Netflix’s Too Hot to Handle and on Peacock as the sex expert on Ex-Rated with Andy Cohen.
Previously she was the host + EP of Quibi's #1 daily show, Sexology with Shan Boodram, MTV's Guide to Sex and Facebook Watch’s Make Up or Break Up. Boodram is a best-selling author of, “The Game Of Desire" (HarperCollins, '19) acclaimed by TIME, Apple, Glamour & Refinery29. Her first book is titled LAID (Seal Press, '09). She's written for Teen Vogue, Cosmopolitan, CBC, Playboy, and InStyle. Boodram is an ambassador for the AIDS Healthcare Foundation and WomensHealth.gov + a member of the American Sexual Health Association. She previously served on Trojan's Sexual Health Advisory Board alongside sex ed historical icons like Dr. Jocelyn Elders. Shan Boodram is also the host of “The Marriage Pact”, a reality series on The Roku Channel.
Currently, Shan Boodram serves as Arya’s Chief Intimacy Officer and has partnerships with companies like Squarespace, Phexxi, K-Y brand, Audible, Google, Netflix, OkCupid, Bumble and more.
Advisor for Bumble, Match Group, etc
Laura Ramadei
SHA Sexuality Coach and Consultant Certification Student
Girls on Porn Podcast Host
Featured in Vice, Rolling Stone, Huffington Post, Out, and NPR
Laura is the creator of Girls on Porn podcast, where she and her co-host review porn through an intersectional, feminist lens, with the goal of destigmatizing kink and sex work, while helping their audience find more ethical content to satisfy their interests. She is also a performer and producer in theater, film, and new media. Ramadei appeared in Unicornland, a digital series about non-monogamy featured in Vice, Rolling Stone, Huffington Post, Out, and NPR’s “All Things Considered.” She’s also in development with Imagine Impact and Groundswell Entertainment, on a tv pilot called Mile High Club, about a cannabis entrepreneur and a camgirl who team up to strike it rich in the 21st century wild west of amateur porn and weed.
Alyssa Ljubicich
SHA Sexuality Educator Certification Student
Sexual Health Alliance Presenter
Featured in Netflix’s reality show, The Circle
116k Followers on Instagram
Alyssa is a Sex Education Content Creator who got her start on the Netflix reality show, The Circle. Her time on the show gave her a platform to show fellow competitors, viewers, and now her followers how valuable Sex Education is. Her bubbly personality and extensive professional background in Social Media Marketing allowed her to dive into the social media space with great impact so she may continue to grow her audience and business while finishing her certification as a Sex Educator with the Sexual Health Alliance.
Dr Sonya Maya
SHA Certified Sex Therapist - Graduated 2024
Sexual Health Alliance Presenter
Over 10,000 Subscribers on YouTube
663.2K Followers and 8.7M Likes on TikTok
Dr. Sonya Maya is a doctor of Psychology and Sex Therapist otherwise known as the self-proclaimed “CLITitian”. Dr. Maya is an acclaimed spicy content creator on TikTok and Instagram. She is passionate about de-stigmatizing sexual health topics and helping people understand the importance of sexual health as well as the significant impact of hormones on one’s life.
Midori
Sexual Health Alliance Co-Director of Kink Informed Specialty Certification, SHA Faculty Member
Author of the first English language book on Japanese rope bondage
Featured speaker at TEDx, in Cosmopolitan, Women’s Health, and Epix
Midori is known as the ‘supernova of kink’ worldwide, as described by Dan Savage. She is a sexologist, educator, author, artist, speaker, and coach. Midori wrote the first English language book on Japanese rope bondage and continues to write and teach on alternative sexual practices, including BDSM and sexual fetishism, bondage, erotic fiction, and more. She has been a featured speaker at TEDx and in Cosmopolitan, Women’s Health, and Epix. Midori is also a renowned multimedia artist, specializing in performance art, sculpture, print, and installations.
Dr. Jolene Brighten
SHA Certified Sexuality Counselor - Graduated 2023
Featured in the New York Post, Forbes, Cosmopolitan, Huffington Post, Bustle, The Guardian, and ABC News
Author of the book Is This Normal?
Dr. Jolene Brighten is a board-certified naturopathic endocrinologist, clinical sexologist, and prominent leader in women’s medicine. A fierce patient advocate and completely dedicated to uncovering the root cause of hormonal imbalances, Dr. Brighten empowers women worldwide to take control of their health and their hormones. She is an international speaker, clinical educator, medical advisor within the tech community, and considered a leading authority on women’s health. Dr. Brighten is also part of the MindBodyGreen Collective and a faculty member for the American Academy of Anti Aging Medicine. Her work has been featured in the New York Post, Forbes, Cosmopolitan, Huffington Post, Bustle, The Guardian, and ABC News. She wrote the book Is This Normal? about women’s health and hormones featuring a 28 day protocol to take back your cycle.
Jet Setting Jasmine, Licensed Psychotherapist
SHA Sex Therapist Certification Student, Sexual Health Alliance Faculty
Featured in Vice, Playboy, Forbes, Cosmopolitan, NPR, Essence, BBC, and Psychology Today
Co-owner of Royal Fetish Films, a multi-channel adult-entertainment business
Jet Setting Jasmine is an award-winning adult film director, entertainer, and master fetish trainer. She is also a licensed psychotherapist and educator who uses her expertise in mental health to advocate for a more inclusive and ethically-sound adult entertainment industry. Challenging Conventional Approaches to Sex Jasmine is the co-owner, along with partner King Noire, of Royal Fetish Films, a multi-channel adult-entertainment business that resists the discriminatory tropes common in the art of entertainment and mainstream adult industry. The filmmakers at Royal Fetish Films combine love for artistic and sensual film, with the need for authentic sexual representation. The result is blazing-hot content that stimulates the audience to explore their sexual boundaries in an area free from stigma.
Her work on the decolonization of sex and pornography, as well as her advocacy for sex-positive parenting, recently landed her on Comedy Central’s The Daily Show. She has also appeared in major publications such as Vice, Playboy, Forbes, Cosmopolitan, NPR, Essence, BBC, and Psychology Today. Jasmine challenges conventional approaches to womanhood, sexuality, womanhood, and parenting, and it’s no wonder that she’s in such high demand.
Catherine Drysdale
SHA Sexuality Educator Certification Student
Sexual Health Alliance Presenter
Featured in publications like Cosmopolitan, Allure, Vice, AskMen, Elite Daily and on media such as CNN, and the podcast Sex with Emily
257.7K Followers and 3.5M Likes on TikTok
Catherine is a Sex Coach and Head of Content Programming at The Mon App. She has been featured in publications like Cosmopolitan, Allure, Vice, and AskMen, and I've had the chance to speak at events and college campuses nationwide. She is currently pursuing her masters in Clinical Psychology at Columbia.
Tara Jones
SHA Sexuality Educator Certification Student
Featured in Buzzfeed, Marie Claire, Scarleteen, Well + Good, and more
Founder of The Youth Sexpert Program, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to revolutionizing sex education for high school students
Tara Michaela Jones (she/her) is a black, queer sex educator based in New York. She earned a bachelor's degree in Gender and Sexuality Studies from New York University in May 2022, and since then has been creating content, writing and speaking publicly about all things sexuality. Her work focuses on how injustice manifests in sexual interactions, specifically racism and racial capitalism. She also explores how stigma keeps us all from being our best selves, and how we can close the orgasm gap. After creating a private Instagram account in 2015 which documented many of her adolescent struggles in exploring sexuality as a young black woman, accepting her body, and experiencing shame, she realized she had the potential to become a go-to person in her community to openly discuss these issues. She continues to use her digital platform and written pieces to connect with those around her. In 2022, she founded The Youth Sexpert Program, an organization that trains the next generation of sex educators.
Rebecca (Renee) Olstead, AMFT
SHA Sex Therapist Certification Student
Focus on working with sex workers and members of the adult industry
Actress on the CBS sitcom Still Standing and on the ABC Family drama The Secret Life of the American Teenager and Penthouse Pet of the Month in January 2023
Rebecca (Renee) Olstead, AMFT specializes in working with members of the adult industry: to provide informed, affirmative support to people who might not have found it in previous clinical experiences. Renee is a renowned actress, singer, and sex therapist for the adult industry mental health support network Pineapple Support. Active since childhood as an actress, she is best known for her roles on the CBS sitcom Still Standing and on the ABC Family drama The Secret Life of the American Teenager as Madison Cooperstein. In addition, she has recorded four studio albums, primarily of jazz music. In addition to her career as a marriage and family therapist, Renee is a successful OnlyFans creator and was Penthouse Pet of the Month in January 2023.
Faculty
Justin Lehmiller, Ph.D.
Sexual Health Alliance Study Abroad Program Director and SHA Faculty
Author of the books Tell Me What You Want: The Science of Sexual Desire and How It Can Help You Improve Your Sex Life and The Psychology of Human Sexuality
Featured on Dr. Phil, NPR, CNN and Netflix’s Sex Explained and published in The Wall Street Journal, The Boston Globe and Psychology Today
Host of the top-rated Sex and Psychology podcast
Dr. Justin Lehmiller, Ph.D. is an American social psychologist and author. He is a research fellow at the Kinsey Institute at Indiana University. Lehmiller has authored books such as Tell Me What You Want: The Science of Sexual Desire and How It Can Help You Improve Your Sex Life and The Psychology of Human Sexuality. He has been featured on Dr. Phil, NPR, CNN and Netflix’s Sex Explained and published in The Wall Street Journal, The Boston Globe and Psychology Today. He is the host of the Sex and Psychology podcast, which is consistently in the top ten most-listened-to sexuality podcasts in the world.
Dr. David Ley, Ph.D., CST, CST-S
Sexual Health Alliance Clinical Advisor and Sex Therapy Supervisor
Author of the books Ethical Porn for Dicks, A Man's Guide to Responsible Viewing Pleasure (2016) The Myth of Sex Addiction (2012) and Insatiable Wives (2009)
Featured in the New York Times, Washington Post, LA Times and the London Telegraph, Playboy and Hustler magazines
Dr. David J. Ley is a world-renowned clinical psychologist, known for bringing scientifically-accurate and clinically sound information to discussions about modern sexuality. He has appeared on television with Anderson Cooper, Katie Couric, Dr. Phil and has been interviewed in publications ranging from the New York Times, Washington Post, LA Times and the London Telegraph, to Playboy and Hustler magazines. Dr. Ley has published extensively in both the academic and “pop” realms of literature. His latest book, Ethical Porn for Dicks, A Man's Guide to Responsible Viewing Pleasure has endorsements from Dan Savage and Pornhub and is a humorous and provocative handbook for men who want to think more comprehensively about porn. In 2018, he spoke with Esther Perel, at her Sessions Live conference exploring The Masculinity Paradox. The Myth of Sex Addiction (2012) and Insatiable Wives (2009) were revolutionary explorations of sexual issues which blended a powerful client-centered narrative with a rich understanding of psychology, biology and sociology.
Dr. Chris Donaghue, Ph.D., LCSW, CST, ACS
Director of Clinical Education for Sexual Health Alliance
Author of the books "Rebel Love" and “Sex Outside the Lines: Authentic Sexuality in a Sexually Dysfunctional Culture”
Featured on The Today Show, VICE, CNN, HLN, OWN, Nightline, Dr Drew and in Newsweek, New York Times, Daily Beast, Men’s Health, Cosmo, and National Geographic, and more
Host of the nightly live stream show “I’m Listening; Stay Connected” on Radio.com
Dr. Chris Donaghue, Ph.D. is a therapist, lecturer, and educator, host of the nightly live stream show “I’m Listening; Stay Connected” on Radio.com, and hosts the relaunched iconic "Loveline" nightly radio show. He is the author of the books "Rebel Love" and “Sex Outside the Lines: Authentic Sexuality in a Sexually Dysfunctional Culture” and has contributed chapters for the books “The Sex Issue” by the editors of Goop, and “The Mindful Masculinity Workbook”.
Dr Donaghue is the former co-host of the “Amber Rose Show with Dr Chris” podcast, frequent co-host on “The Doctors” tv show, and was a weekly expert on “The Amber Rose Show” on VH1. He also previously hosted WE tv’s “Sex Box” and Logo tv’s “Bad Sex”. He has been featured on The Today Show, VICE, CNN, HLN, OWN, Nightline, Dr Drew and in Newsweek, New York Times, Daily Beast, Men’s Health, Cosmo, and National Geographic and has been published in various journals and magazines.
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. Elisabeth Sheff, Ph.D.
Sexual Health Alliance Consensual Non-Monogamy Program Director and SHA Faculty
Featured in NPR, National Geographic, The New York Times, Cosmopolitan, and Psychology Today
Author of The Polyamorists Next Door, When Someone You Love is Polyamorous, and Children in Polyamorous Families
Dr. Eli Sheff is the foremost academic expert on polyamorous families with children. She carries a PhD in Sociology and is a Certified Sexuality Educator who has written four books and 30+ academic articles on CNM and BDSM/kinky sex. She serves as a relationship coach, educator, and expert witness. Dr. Sheff has appeared on hundreds of podcasts, television shows, and media interviews with outlets from NPR, National Geographic, and the New York Times to Cosmopolitan and Savage Love. Dr. Eli blogs for Psychology Today.
Dr. Joe Kort, PhD, LMSW
Sexual Health Alliance Faculty
Author of Side Guys, LGBTQ Clients in Therapy, Erotic Orientation, Is My Husband Gay, Straight, or Bi? and more
Psychology Today contributor
Host of the highly rated podcast, Smart Sex, Smart Love, with Dr. Joe Kort
Psychotherapist Joe Kort, PhD, LMSW, is the clinical director and founder of The Center for Relationship and Sexual Health in Royal Oak, Michigan. Dr. Kort is the author of four books covering topics such as male sexual identity, relationships, and sexual fluidity. He also is the author of a book for clinicians working with the LGBTQIA population. He has written numerous published journal and magazine articles and is a regular contributor to the online blog for Psychology Today. Dr. Kort is in his third season of Smart Sex, Smart Love, a podcast series featuring a variety of topics – from sexual health issues to parenting conflicts, men’s health, sexuality as you grow old, marital problems, dating today, transgender concerns, kink, and much more (www.smartsexsmartlove.com).
Kelvin Pace, LPC, CST, CST-S
Sexual Health Alliance Faculty and Sex Therapy Supervisor
Medic and a paratrooper for 8 years in the United States Army
Specializes in treating individuals and couples through years of experience in sex therapy
Kelvin is a Licensed Professional Counselor and one of only four AASECT Certified Sex Therapists in Alaska. Before pursuing a career in therapy, Kelvin served for eight years as a medic and paratrooper in the United States Army, maintaining a strong connection with the military community. His interest in human sexuality and relationships began during this time. As a couples and sex therapist, Kelvin welcomes all relationship orientations (monogamous or consensually non-monogamous).
Dr. Rhonda Balzarini, PhD
Sexual Health Alliance Faculty
Featured in Rolling Stone, Wall Street Journal, BBC, Psychology Today, VICE, and PsychCentral
Expert featured in the CBC docuseries The Big Sex Talk
Dr. Balzarini is an Assistant Professor of Psychology at Texas State University and an affiliate researcher at the Kinsey Institute at Indiana University. She is a social psychologist studying the interpersonal processes that enhance and detract from the quality of romantic and sexual relationships. Her research has been featured in Rolling Stone, Wall Street Journal, BBC, Psychology Today, VICE, and PsychCentral. Dr. Balzarini recently appeared on the Big Sex Talk, a CBC docu-series that challenges people’s ideas about gender and sexuality, and she appears regularly on podcasts and radio shows.
Dr. Charlie Glickman, PhD
Sexual Health Alliance Faculty
Author of The Ultimate Guide to Prostate Pleasure
Featured in Bustle, VICE, Refinery29, PinkNews, and more
Charlie Glickman PhD is a sexuality educator, blogger, author, workshop teacher, and occasionally, a university professor. In his day job, he runs the education programs at Good Vibrations and he's certified by the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists. Charlie has taught classes on a wide range of topics including sex positivity, sex and shame, gender and masculinity, communities of erotic affiliation, and a wide range of sexual and relationship practices including prostate play, cock and ball play, polyamory, BDSM, sex toys, and safer sex.
Nicoletta Heidegger, LMFT
Sexual Health Alliance Faculty
Host of the podcast, Sluts and Scholars
Featured in USA Today, Hustler, Voyage LA, VICE, The Stanford Daily, and more
Nicoletta Heidegger is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and host of Sluts and Scholars - a sex positive, shame-free educational podcast where she tries to help keep your sex smart and your smarts sexier. She received her BA in Psychology from Stanford University, as well as her MA in Clinical Psychology, and her Masters of Education in Human Sexuality. Nicoletta is currently pursuing her PhD in Human Sexuality. Nicoletta has completed levels I and II of the Trauma Resiliency Model (through the Trauma Resource Institute). She sees therapy clients virtually and at her unique ranch office in Los Angeles, where she offers outdoor sessions and Equine Facilitated (also called Equine Assisted) Psychotherapy and Learning. She also offers coaching, consulting, education, and retreats to folks around the world. Nicoletta contributes regularly to other columns, podcasts, classrooms, and blogs about sex, relationships, and mental health.
Jen Meyer, LPC, LMFT, CST, CST-S
Sexual Health Alliance Faculty
Professional member of the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT), the Society for Sex Therapy and Research (SSTAR), and the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT)
Trained with experts like Doug Braun-Harvey, Joe Kort, Justin Lehmiller, David Ley, Emily Nagoski, Gina Ogden, and Esther Perel
Featured in Business Insider
Jen is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Certified Sex Therapist (CST), and Certified Sex Therapy Supervisor (CSTS). Throughout her career, Jen has had the privilege of training with some of the most influential experts in the field of sex therapy, including Doug Braun-Harvey, Joe Kort, Justin Lehmiller, David Ley, Emily Nagoski, Gina Ogden, and Esther Perel. Jen has led numerous cutting-edge Sexual Attitude Reassessments (SARs) and Advanced SARs, which are required trainings for aspiring sex therapists and challenge professional boundaries. She has also taught for the Denver Sexual Medical Alliance (DSMA), a collaborative group of local doctors, sex therapists, and other health professionals aimed at facilitating cross-professional learning. Additionally, she has spoken in various local university classes on sexuality and relationship therapy.
Michael Vigorito, MFT, LPC, CST, CST-S, Certified Group Psychotherapist
Sexual Health Alliance Problem Sexual Behavior Program Director and SHA Faculty
Co-Author of the book Treating Out of Control Sexual Behavior - Rethinking Sex Addiction
Featured in articles from Health Central and CTV News
Michael. Vigorito is a sex therapist, author, and trainer. Mr. Vigorito developed a sexual health assessment and treatment protocol with Douglas Braun-Harvey, which was published in Treating Out of Control Sexual Behavior - Rethinking Sex Addiction (SSTAR 2018 Health Professional Book Award Winner). Mr. Vigorito has designed and implemented several SAMHSA and CDC-funded training programs to integrate sexual health services into behavioral health care. Mr. Vigorito also provides local and national workshops for behavioral health providers on various sexual health topics, including out of control sexual behavior assessment and treatment, sexuality and gender diversity, and integrating sexual health into behavioral health care.