Last weekend I attended the Sexual Health Alliance’s “Supernatural Sexual Attitude Reassessment” event, which was an exciting opportunity for educators, counselors and therapists to explore their beliefs and attitudes toward various aspects of human sexuality that just so happened to also include the occasional vampire, siren, and witch!
The Sexual Health Alliance hosts two Sexual Attitude Reassessments, or “SAR” events a year, and each is full of dynamic, interactive opportunities to challenge your personal biases, expand your knowledge of diverse sexual behaviors, and increase your comfort in discussing intimacy.
The event appeals to a wide range of attendees — seasoned professionals, newcomers like me, and everyone in between. I'm a second-year doctoral student in clinical psychology with aspirations to become a sexual health professional. While my program is thorough, it rarely covers sexual behavior, health, or intimacy communication in depth, so I actively seek out opportunities to learn more. It's important to me that future clients feel safe discussing their sexual and romantic orientations, behaviors, and other related topics that are too often stigmatized. SHA’s events help me work towards that goal!
What Makes SHA's Sexual Attitude Reassessments Unique?
SHA’s Sexual Attitude Reassessment (SAR) events are truly one of a kind. The facilitators and attendees spark meaningful, compelling conversations that come from a place of curiosity instead of judgment or stigma. The events generate a welcoming and supportive community, complete with a focus on emotional regulation and self-care (including a designated professional on standby to provide processing or crisis support). Here are some of the many features that make each SAR an unforgettable experience:
Sexual Attitudes Pre-Assessment
Weeks before the actual event, attendees are asked to complete a survey including measures about their sexual priorities, sexual sensation-seeking behaviors, and attitudes regarding pornography and masturbation, and sexual values more broadly. The results are then scored by Dr. David Ley and offer participants (non-clinical) insight into their personal biases and sexual selves. I found the results to be a great primer for the event, helping me to understand what I was bringing to the table and what to expect from the SAR!
Sexually Explicit Material
To me, it seems like common sense that an experience meant to challenge your biases and assumptions about diverse sexual behaviors and the individuals who engage in them would actually show you those said behaviors and individuals. Unlike other related events similar to SHA’s Sexual Attitude Reassessments, SHA provides distinct experiential learning.
Sexually explicit media, including audios, videos, and interviews, are selected with care to educate on a wide range of sexual practices, sexualities, and individuals. These stimuli are then used to spark conversation about attendee’s reactions and responses to the content during the designated processing periods following the exposure.
Erotic Show-and-Tell
Professionals are often taught to compartmentalize and leave their personal, sexual selves at the door. SHA doesn't subscribe to that narrative. Built into any of their Sexual Attitude Reassessments are "Erotic Show-and-Tells," where attendees have the option to share something personally meaningful to them. This could be anything: photos from a boudoir shoot, a retro porn magazine, a favorite piece of smut, or something else entirely. It was a reminder that being a sexual health professional doesn't look like conventional professionalism, and that's actually a good thing. By creating a safe place to be both vulnerable and a professional, SHA redefines what it means to show up as a professional by encouraging people to embrace, rather than erase, their whole selves.
Six Principles of Sexual Health Demonstrated in the Sexual Attitude Reassessment
The Sexual Health Alliance holds the six principles of sexual health to be paramount. These principles balance sexual safety and pleasure while upholding sexual rights and offer a framework that serves as a guide to maintaining and improving sexual health. These core principles shine through the events and educational resources offered by SHA. That includes the most recent Sexual Attitude Reassessment!
The event emphasized the importance of consent, both in reference to the pornography selected for participant viewing and also among the participants of the event. Taking part in the Erotic Show-and-Tell portion was optional and made to feel welcoming and comfortable, regardless of whether you chose to observe or share.
There are many misconceptions about the porn industry being inherently exploitative that were challenged during the event by hearing from actual sex workers! Nonexploitation was identified as an important consideration, but specifically highlighted in sections where alternative sex practices (i.e. BDSM and kink) were explored.
Honesty came up throughout the event, underscoring the importance of being upfront when communicating sexually, but also in being honest with ourselves about the personal biases we hold and how they might affect our professional work.
Shared Values came up often during the group processing portions, as we considered how individuals might communicate their desires and fantasies, especially when they include behaviors that are heavily stigmatized.
Prevention of Sexually Transmitted and Blood-Borne Infections (STBBIs), along with the stigma surrounding HIV-positive status and sex work, sparked some of the most meaningful conversations of the event.
And, of course, pleasure was talked about! A big takeaway was that pleasure looks different for different people, and it's okay if not every sexual behavior or interest resonates with you. As long as it holds to these principles, there’s no wrong way to experience sexual pleasure.
FAQ about Sexual Attitude Reassessments
Should I Do a Sexual Attitude Reassessment?
These events are opportunities to confront misconceptions about human sexuality you may hold and learn something new about sex and sexual health! If you’re going for AASECT or related certification, you will be required to partake in a Sexual Attitude Reassessment. Even if you’re not, consider how it may still benefit your professional work!
Isn’t a Sexual Attitude Reassessment Awkward and Weird?
Although it may feel awkward and uncomfortable at times, attending a SAR can be game-changing – on both a personal and professional level. I would definitely recommend attending a SAR, especially if you are pursuing a career in not only sexual health, but any health service profession!
Why Would I Go To a Sexual Attitude Reassessment? I’m Aware of My Biases!
You may think you are aware of your biases, but I promise you there is always more to learn and uncover! SHA’s latest Sexual Attitude Reassessment taught me many things I didn’t know, and exposed me to some of what I didn’t know that I didn’t know. The opportunity to unpack and process those biases and reactions can be really powerful too.
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Written by Jesse John, B.S.
Jesse is a clinical psychology doctoral student at Rowan University in New Jersey. Their research focuses on sexual decision-making, sexual violence, and relationship experiences. The author identifies as a Queer, neurodivergent, white, non-binary person, which informs the way they write and see the world!
