The Grinch Stole My Orgasm!
november 21-22, 2025
This december we will be Recovering stolen sexual pleasure and putting those orgasms back under the tree. Modern life robs many of their ability to enjoy the gift of sexual pleasure. Who is your Grinch right now?
Whether it’s stress, moral conflict, mismatched desires or sexual shame, many people feel like their erotic enjoyment is taken away from them. In this SAR, we help sexuality professionals learn to connect with and understand those dynamics so that in this story, every Who in Whoville gets to come.
Join us online for this SPECIAL EDITION OF A SEXCEPTIONAL SAR! Join us for this SAR with Dr. David Ley, Jen meyer, Kelvin Pace, Heather McPherson alongside a few special guests for a special AASECT-approved SAR (14 AASECT CEs) with breakout sessions, small group dialogues and interactive learning.
We will engage in several activities that we hope will challenge your beliefs, values and biases associated with sexuality. Experiential activities, small breakout groups and large group discussion will all be included within the weekend.
This is a dynamic, experiential weekend that provides a real life opportunity for educators, counselors and therapists to get back in touch with their beliefs and attitudes toward various aspects of human sexuality. Participants will be exposed to material in different formats (media, experiential exercises, group discussions, role-plays, etc.) and will be given a safe and supportive environment to discuss their reflections. There will be self reflection time as well as guided small group discussions.
SCHEDULE
Pre-Assessments and homework Due November 1st
november 21st 5PM - 9:30PM (CENTRAL STANDARD TIME)
SATURDAY, november 22nd 10AM - 6:30PM (CENTRAL STANDARD TIME)
WHAT IS A SAR?
SAR, if provided in an authentic, skillful and holistic way, is not just another training that you attend, it will be a life changing experience. Many of the SAR participants will remain friends and supportive colleagues for life through this shared journey.
A SAR is a structured group experience consisting of a process-oriented exploration of the applicant's own feelings, attitudes, values, and beliefs regarding human sexuality and sexual behavior [e.g., a Sexuality Attitude Reassessment (SAR)].
A SAR is a tremendous experience of learning and growth for therapists, educators, medical professionals or anyone interested in expanding and challenging their sexual self awareness.
SAR FACILITATORS
DAVID LEY, PH.D. CST-S
David Ley is a clinical psychologist in practice in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He earned his Bachelor's degree in Philosophy from Ole Miss, and his Master's and Doctoral degrees in clinical psychology from the University of New Mexico. Dr. Ley is licensed in New Mexico and North Carolina, and has provided clinical and consultative services in numerous other states. He is the Executive Director of New Mexico Solutions, a large outpatient mental health and substance abuse program in Albuquerque, NM. Dr. Ley also serves on the advisory board for the Sexual Health Alliance.
Dr. Ley has been treating sexuality issues throughout his career. He first began treating perpetrators and victims of sexual abuse, but expanded his approach to include the fostering and promotion of healthy sexuality, and awareness of the wide range of normative sexual behaviors. Insatiable Wives is his first book and won a Silver Medal in the Foreword Magazine Book of the Year contest for 2009. Dr. Ley wrote Insatiable Wives following two years of interviews with couples around the country. His controversial second book, The Myth of Sex Addiction was released in March 2012, challenging the concept of sexual addiction and exploring a different model of male sexuality. The Myth of Sex Addiction triggered a firestorm of debate, allowing people to finally challenge the media hype of this pseudo-disorder. His new book Ethical Porn for Dicks, A Man's Guide to Responsible Viewing Pleasure is due out in Summer/Fall 2016. Dr. Ley may be contacted via email through the Psychology Today website.
HEATHER MCPHERSON, MA, LPC-S, LMFT-S, CST-S
Heather McPherson is the CEO and Founder of the Sexual Health Alliance, a premier education and certification provider for sexuality professionals. Heather also founded Respark, a national brand that encompasses a group therapy practice, Respark Foundation Nonprofit, and ReSpark Retreats. Respark Therapy & Associates (respark.co) is a group practice that serves Colorado, Washington and Texas specializing in sexuality and relationships. She is published in Playboy Magazine as well as Playboy Online, and has been featured on CNN, HuffPost, Rolling Stones, SheKnows, Quartz, Bravo, the Body, the Sun, Sex and Psychology with Dr. Justin Lehmiller, Psychology Today with Dr. David Ley, Parent Harald, and more. Heather McPherson has lectured at prestigious universities including University of Texas at Austin, Texas State University, University of Utah, University of Colorado Denver and Governors State University in Chicago. She is an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist Supervisor, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist Supervisor (LMFT-S) and a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor (LPC-S). She also is the Texas Section Leader for AASECT (American Association for Sexuality Educators, Counselors & Therapists). She has appeared on several podcasts including Loveline with Dr. Chris Donaghue as well as Sex with Dr. Jess. Heather helps clients gain confidence, rebuild trust, increase playfulness, and find passion and meaning in their erotic lives. Heather graduated with honors from Texas State University with a MA in Marriage, Couple and Family Therapy; a CACREP Accredited Program.
KELVIN PACE, MS, LPC-S, CST-S
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 and is an AASECT Supervisor for the Sexual Health Alliance.
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.
JEN MEYER, LPC, LMFT, CST-S
Jen Meyer is the owner and founder of Jen Meyer Therapy, LLC, a private therapy practice in the Cherry Creek neighborhood of Denver, Colorado. As a highly sought-after sex therapist who works with a wide variety of concerns related to sex, intimacy and relationships, Jen strives to provide every client with effective therapy treatment in an affirming and compassionate environment that gives them the greatest opportunity to travel the path towards their best self.. As a highly-motivated professional dedicated to perfecting her craft, Jen travels frequently to obtain training on the latest therapy tools and trends from the best and most well-known minds in the sex therapy world. She is also active within and has been asked to present to various profession organizations both locally and nationally that help maintain her integrated network of healthcare professionals for her clients benefit, including the following: Sexual Health Alliance (SHA), American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT), American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (AAMFT), Denver Sexual Medical Alliance (DSMA) and Colorado Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (COAMFT). Jen has also pursued a number of professional certifications along the way, including her CST, LMFT and LPC. She obtained a Masters of Art (MA) in Counseling from Oakland University, a fully accredited program by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), and has completed a Sexual Health Certificate Program. Jen takes pride in being surrounded by some of the best sexologists and healthcare professionals in her field, many of whom continue to be dear friends, along with many others who continue to inspire her and make her a better person and therapist.
*This program meets the requirements of the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT) and is approved for AASECT CE credits. These CE credits may be applied toward AASECT certification and renewal of certification. Completion of this program does not ensure or guarantee AASECT certification. For further information please contact ce@aasect.org
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 14 CE hours.
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Enroll in SHA’s Sexuality Educator/Counselor Certification Program to earn AASECT hours and all necessary CEs in one program. Apply HERE to become SHA Certified and advance your sexuality education.
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Yes! A SAR is required for both SHA Certification and AASECT Certification. The SAR must be approved and is already included in tuition for most SHA students.
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Yes, this event is eligible for a maximum of 14 CE hours. Please email shacertifications@gmail.com if you are interested in receiving these credits.
“This program changed the way I practice and connect with others. I can’t recommend it enough! Every clinician needs this training to be effective in the field of relationships!”
