Why SHA Students and Alumni Set the Standard in Sexual Health Education
Let’s face it—there’s nothing inspiring about being average. In a field as vital, nuanced, and transformative as sexual health, “average” just isn’t good enough. That’s why at the Sexual Health Alliance (SHA), we say: F*ck Average, Be SEXceptional! It’s more than a bold tagline—it’s a call to action for those who are serious about standing out, showing up, and delivering life-changing impact in the field of sexuality.
From day one, SHA has been committed to providing more than just education. We deliver an experience that produces the most highly trained, radically informed, and deeply ethical professionals in the sexual health space. Whether you’re a therapist, educator, coach, or consultant, SHA prepares you to lead—not follow.
What It Means to Be SEXceptional
When we say SHA students and alumni are SEXceptional, we mean they’re not settling for checkbox certifications or dusty, outdated content. They’re committed to real, evidence-based education taught by world-renowned experts—and they’re using that training to change lives.
To be SEXceptional means:
You’re committed to lifelong learning.
You’re not afraid to challenge outdated norms.
You center ethics, inclusivity, and science in your work.
You show up with the skills to handle complex, real-world sexual concerns.
You’re building a practice that reflects excellence, not mediocrity.
Average programs give you a certificate. With SHA, you earn credibility, community, and confidence. So F*ck Average, Be SEXceptional!
Trained by the Top Sexual Health Experts in the Field
SHA students and alumni have access to the most respected minds in human sexuality. Our presenters and faculty include clinicians, medical professionals, researchers, educators, and thought leaders who are shaping the future of the field. These are professionals who aren’t just quoting textbooks—they’re writing the textbooks and pioneering new ways of thinking about sexual health.
SHA gives you live training with leaders who’ve appeared in the New York Times, Psychology Today, Forbes, and academic journals across the world. If you’re going to learn something as personal, complex, and powerful as human sexuality, wouldn’t you want to learn it from the best? Here are just a few of the experts you’ll learn from at Sexual Health Alliance.
Dr. Chris Donaghue - 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. David Ley - 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. Rhonda Balzarini - Featured in Rolling Stone, Wall Street Journal, BBC, Psychology Today, VICE, and PsychCentral. Expert featured in the CBC docuseries The Big Sex Talk.
Dr. Justin Lehmiller - 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
Midori - Sex Educator, Author of the first English language book on Japanese rope bondage, Featured speaker at TEDx, in Cosmopolitan, Women’s Health, and Epix
Michael Vigorito - Co-Author of the book Treating Out of Control Sexual Behavior - Rethinking Sex Addiction. Featured in articles from Health Central and CTV News.
Jet Setting Jasmine, Licensed Psychotherapist - Featured in Vice, Playboy, Forbes, Cosmopolitan, NPR, Essence, BBC, and Psychology Today, Co-owner of Royal Fetish Films, a multi-channel adult-entertainment business
Dr. Joe Kort - 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.
Shan Boodram - SHA Sex Educator, MasterClass Instructor, Chief Intimacy Officer at Arya, Sex and Relationship Expert at Bumble
Beyond the Basics: Specialized Training That Matters
Being SEXceptional means you’re equipped to deal with all aspects of human sexuality—not just the sanitized, mainstream versions.
SHA students are trained in:
Consensual non-monogamy and polyamory
Gender diversity and LGBTQIA+ concerns
These are areas where most therapists, medical professionals, coaches, and educators are underprepared—or worse, untrained altogether. SHA ensures that our graduates can hold safe, competent space for even the most complex sexual identities and concerns.
This means SHA students graduate with confidence and clarity—ready to make a tangible difference in their clients’ lives.
The SHA Difference: More Than a Certification
SHA isn’t just about what you learn—it’s about how you grow. Our students consistently report feeling:
Deeply supported by SHA’s team and mentorship
Energized by peer-to-peer community
Transformed by exposure to diverse perspectives and topics
Our programs don’t exist in a vacuum. We host live virtual events, community WhatsApp groups, annual business summits, and continuing education workshops—all designed to keep you connected, inspired, and ahead of the curve.
And if you're worried about prerequisites, don’t be. SHA is committed to accessibility. We don’t gatekeep based on academic pedigree. Whether you're a licensed mental health professional, a passionate coach, or someone pivoting into the world of sex education, there’s a place for you here.
Why Settle for Boring?
Let’s be honest: many sexual health certification programs are dry, outdated, and painfully slow. They often lack diversity in their curriculum, instructors, and perspectives—and they don’t reflect the modern, intersectional world we live in. We want all of our students to F*ck Average, Be SEXceptional!
At SHA, we refuse to be boring. We don’t tiptoe around taboos or sanitize the content. We embrace the real, raw, and revolutionary aspects of human sexuality—because that’s what your clients need, and it’s what you deserve to learn.
If you’re passionate about pleasure, healing, intimacy, and human connection, don’t settle for a checkbox program. Choose one that prepares you to be brilliant.
A Growing Network of SEXceptional Alumni
When you become part of SHA, you join a vibrant, international network of alumni who are shaking up the sexual health field. Our graduates go on to become:
Private practice therapists with waitlists of clients
Coaches helping individuals and couples reclaim pleasure
Kink-aware and CNM-informed clinicians offering affirming care
Sex educators teaching workshops, creating courses, and writing books
Advocates and public speakers shaping policy and public awareness
Medical professionals who better serve their patients with sexual health concerns
SHA grads don’t just “work in the field”—they lead the field.
Real Impact, Real Careers in Sexual Health
One of the most SEXceptional aspects of SHA is that our education isn’t just theoretical—it’s career-shaping.
Our business trainings, live events, and coaching resources give you the tools to launch, grow, and sustain a meaningful career in sexual health. You’ll walk away with not only the knowledge but also the confidence and strategy to build a practice that reflects your unique voice.
And thanks to SHA’s growing reputation—including a recent mention in Forbes as one of the top sex therapy certification programs—our alumni enjoy a level of credibility and respect that stands out in a crowded industry.
You Deserve to Be SEXceptional
The world needs more highly trained professionals in sexual health—people who are educated, ethical, inclusive, and passionate about this work. But more importantly, you deserve an educational experience that sees you, supports you, and sets you up for success.
You deserve to learn from experts, build with a community, and walk away with skills you can use and a career you love.
So if you’re tired of average—and ready to be SEXceptional—you already know where to start.
It’s time to F*ck Average, Be SEXceptional with SHA!
Learn more about SHA programs and become part of the SEXceptional movement!
