Set Sail with SHA!
Set Sail with SHA! All aboard New Year’s Eve 2023-2024! Study Abroad with SHA on a cruise from Rio de janierio!
Welcome 2024 with our SHA Study Abroad Program on a 9-day/8-night South American voyage on board the intimate Azamara Quest ship, a fantasy quencher to remember forever. The Desire Rio de Janeiro Cruise, sailing December 30, 2023 – January 7, 2024, will samba its way out to sea on an incredible voyage that includes an extraordinary itinerary starts in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and culminates in Buenos Aires, Argentina, with breathtaking stops along the way in Copacabana Beach, where we’ll dock for New Year’s Eve to say farewell to 2023 before sailing on to Parati, Ilhabela, São Paulo, and Montevideo, Uruguay. The complimentary Premium Beverage Package, five dining venues, and room service are included on this voyage.
This course offers students the opportunity to explore sexual attitudes and behaviors in South America. It’s been reported that Brazil has over 1 million sex workers and the culture is overtly body positive. Over the past decade, the region has made notable gains despite political tactics to prohibit gender and sexuality education. For example, Argentina was the first country in South America to legalize gay marriage in 2010, and the ruling also included full adoption rights. When it comes to liberal attitudes, Uruguay is one of the most progressive places in the world. Homosexuality was decriminalized in 1934 and Montevideo has the largest LGBTIQ+ community in the country. Students will also have the opportunity to immerse themselves and expand their perspective and gain a global perspective.
You must apply and be accepted first before you purchase any SHA or Cruise room tickets.
Apply here: GOGGLE FORM APPLICATION FOR SET SAIL with SHA
This Experiential Program Includes:
Cultural immersion elements in regard to sexuality education
Guest Speakers from across the globe
Several cultural events (e.g., a tour of the city, group outings) We are looking into going to the Museum of Sexual Diversity in Brazil for example
Group Process session
Free time to explore the cities
No AASECT CE portion will occur on the cruise. Any AASECT CEs will be limited to:
This program includes 20 AASECT CEs in formal online lecture and discussion format.
CEs will be a Sexceptional Weekend workshop online. This will be Live and recorded for you to watch anytime at your convenience.
CORE TOPICS TO BE ADDRESSED INCLUDE:
We’ll explore sex work and mental health and how that varies cross-culturally
Sex education, including different approaches and their effectiveness
Sexual health, including how and why this varies cross-culturally
LGBTQ issues, including how the mental health of sexual and gender minorities differs cross-culturally
Investment:
SHA Course fee is $1597 per cabin/stateroom (2 people per a stateroom) for early registration.
Specific categories of staterooms sell out quickly and we have limited seats in this program, so we recommend securing your spot early.
This course fee includes:
All lectures/workshops (Including 2 day workshop (with recording) will be completed online)
Events with guest speakers
All cultural excursions and adventures
Group discussions and outings
Reserve your spot with us above first by clicking buy tickets. If you room with another student or with a partner, they will also be included in all lectures and excursions.
Then book your stateroom below. You must book through this link below to be included in our group. Book by clicking the “Click Here!” link:
Students are responsible for transportation and cruise reservation. Students will be responsible for booking their own flight and any additional hotel accommodations. When booking flights/hotels, plan to be in Rio de Janeiro no later than morning of December 30th.
STudy Abroad GUIDES
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 one-year program 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.
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.
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.
HEATHER MCPHERSON, 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.