Welcome to the Sexual Health Alliance Business School
Apply to join our 2025 Cohort
JOIN OUR NEXT COHORT TO GET SPECIALIZED, ONGOING SUPPORT IN BUILDING AND GROWING YOUR BUSINESS. CONNECT WITH THE EXPERTS, AND GROW YOUR NETWORK AND INFLUENCE!
CARVE OUT YOUR SPECIALIZATION SO THAT YOU CAN CONFIDENTLY LAUNCH YOUR NEXT IDEA OR YOUR VERY FIRST BUSINESS!
SHA BUSINESS SCHOOL INCLUDES:
12 WEEK COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM
ACCESS TO FUTURE BUSINESS SCHOOL ALUMNI EVENTS
LIVE CLASSROOMS EVERY OTHER WEEK, 6 TOTAL ON WEDNESDAYS AT 4 PM MOUNTAIN, 5 PM CST. RECEIVE THE RECORDINGS IF YOU CAN'T MAKE ONE! (We will take the month of May off.)
BUILD IN BI-WEEKLY INSPIRATION INTO YOUR SCHEDULE
BONUS ACCESS TO OUR EVER-GROWING PRESS LIST
RECEIVE FOREVER ACCESS TO WHATSAPP GROUP
RECEIVE FOREVER ACCESS TO MODULES PLUS RECORDINGS
BONUS ACCESS TO OUR PODCASTING COURSE CALLED "SEXCASTERS'!
Opportunity TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PITCH OFF!
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN:
GROW AND SCALE YOUR BUSINESS, NO MATTER WHAT STAGE IN THE PROCESS YOU ARE AT
GROW A PRACTICE, OPEN UP A STORE OR CREATE A PRODUCT - WE’LL COVER THE SKILLS YOU NEED
HOW TO GET MORE LEADS OR CLIENTS
TAILORED MARKETING HELP
HOW TO MARKET YOURSELF
THE GAME OF SOCIAL MEDIA
BUILDING COMMUNITY AND REFERRALS
NETWORKING FOR GOOD
PODCASTING
COPYWRITING
CREATING ADDITIONAL STREAMS OF REVENUE
PRESS LIST ACCESS AND RESOURCE
HOW TO KEEP YOUR CONFIDENCE LEVEL HIGH
HOW TO KNOW WHEN SOMETHING IS GOOD ENOUGH
HOW DO YOU DECIDE WHAT TO FOCUS ON, WHEN AND HOW TO SCALE, WHEN TO HIRE, PUT IN MORE MONEY
HOW DO YOU DECIDE THE RIGHT LEVEL OF INVESTMENT AT THAT PHASE FOR THE BUSINESS
THIS PROGRAM WILL EXPLORE ALL THESE QUESTIONS AND MORE!
Take a look at just a few of our previous student’s success!
Jeni Simas started The Intimacy Ally where she guides women over 40 to unlock that sexy self-esteem, making online dating not just bearable but downright enjoyable.
Julia Casillas created a coaching program called Kink Unbound which is designed for kinky people to receive creditable information and coaching about kink!
David Parks is on a mission to provide education and resources to people who are neurodivergent by helping individuals create their erotic blueprint and increase relationship satisfaction.
Renee Lavail business hosts a team of experts who provide continuing education and professional development in sexual literacy.
Dawn Moore works as nurse midwife and created Mama Comes First, a program to help mothers on their journey of sexual health discovery.
The first SexTech Sexceptional Roundtable Future of Sex conference SHA held was in person in Austin, TX in March of 2016. SHA held several workshops, webinars and conferences over the past couple years for students looking to build their business. In 2020, SHA’s Founder created a 22 podcast episodes interviewing professionals on how they created their sexuality career of their dreams. And, in the summer of 2022, our team at SHA held another online conference with almost 150 people on the business of sexuality and how to build your online presence. It was a huge success! This program will incorporate online modules, live gatherings online and webinars with the experts that will be directly relevant to helping you build a business in sexuality, sexual health or sex education or coaching so that you can build the sexuality career of your dreams!
Enrolling in the 12-week course offered by Sexual Health Alliance's Business School is an invaluable opportunity for all aspiring business owners, particularly those venturing into the sexuality field. This comprehensive course has been meticulously designed to equip individuals with the knowledge, skills, and insights necessary to navigate the complex landscape of running a successful business in this unique sector.
The course goes beyond traditional business education by focusing on the distinct challenges and opportunities that the sexuality field presents. Aspiring entrepreneurs will gain a deep understanding of market dynamics, regulatory considerations, ethical considerations, and specialized expertise crucial for flourishing in this niche. By addressing topics ranging from sexual health education to therapy services, the course provides a holistic perspective on the diverse avenues within the sexuality sector.
One of the course's standout features is its emphasis on hands-on learning and practical application. Through interactive assignments, workshops, and case studies, participants will not only absorb theoretical knowledge but also learn how to apply it effectively in real-world scenarios. From crafting a solid business plan that aligns with ethical considerations to devising targeted marketing strategies that respect customer privacy, every facet of building and growing a sexuality-based business is explored in depth.
Moreover, the course offers a unique networking opportunity. Collaborating with fellow students who share similar aspirations fosters an environment of mutual support, idea exchange, and even potential partnerships. Access to industry experts, mentors, and seasoned professionals enhances the learning experience and provides valuable insights into the nuances of the sexuality field.
In a rapidly evolving world, where discussions around sexual health, education, and wellness are gaining prominence, this 12-week course equips aspiring entrepreneurs with the essential tools to contribute positively to this vital conversation. By offering comprehensive insights into market trends, legal considerations, marketing strategies, and ethical practices, this course ensures that future business owners in the sexuality field are not just well-prepared, but are also poised to make a meaningful impact in a sensitive and crucial domain.
WHAT MAKES SHA BEST IN CLASS?
The Sexual Health Alliance (SHA) stands out as a leader in sexuality training because we connect you with the leading experts in the world. We build the most inclusive communities and offer support throughout the program with our original happy hours, mixers, Facebook groups, and in-person events with our sexceptional weekend conferences, study abroad programs all over the world, SARs in Mexico and Jamaica and Sex Nerd Trivia. Finally, our latest specialized programs are accelerated, self paced, and are one of the only programs with the option to attend live monthly events with the leading voices and stars in the field.
Our programs are at the forefront of the field because we focus on progressive and comprehensive content presented through multiple channels so that no matter what kind of learner you are, you will become sexceptional at graduation.
SHA consists of professionals from every walk of life that go on to change the field and make a huge difference in their client’s lives. We support and encourage our students throughout the program and provide a wealth of areas to network. We love offering collaboration with our presenters and through our conferences as well—we want your education to be about you!
Since 2015, SHA has hosted over 5500 people at our events, while certifying sex therapists, counselors, educators, and coaches. We have been lucky enough to collaborate with many of the leading experts in sexuality and relationships. Throughout the year, SHA facilitates communication among sexual health providers through our signature workshops and conferences, special events, and social media. Our events and programming are intended to build community, spark dialogue and encourage collaboration.
We build communities that are well-informed and all-inclusive. We're dedicated to bringing the brightest minds and biggest game changers in sexual health to every area of the world. Join a program that’s more than watching videos and answering questions, join SHA and transform your career and make lifelong friends.
Sample of faculty
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 Pleasureis 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 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.
Dr. Soum Rakshit
Dr. Soum Rakshit is the Co-Founder & CEO of MysteryVibe. He did his PhD in Biomedical Engineering and created a startup in eye recognition which was acquired by a US defence company. He then spent 7 years in management consulting on large technology projects. In 2014 Soum started MysteryVibe to bring defence electronics and medical expertise together and create devices that solve big topics in sexual health in an accessible way.
CALETH JONES
Caleth Jones is the Founder/CEO of The MŌN App - the leading audio community for conversations centered on sexual wellness. Coming from an international marketing and media background, he has years of experience developing and overseeing the execution of brand strategies across a wide range of industries, including entertainment, health/wellness, and sex tech.
A proud member of the LGBTQ+ Community, Caleth is passionate about moving purpose-driven, impact-driven conversations around sex and sexuality forward. With first-hand experience, he knows how important it is to have a safe space to talk about sex and sexuality - and an inclusive community to talk to.
With strong familiarity launching new media initiatives that raise awareness around marginalized communities, Jones’ mission for MŌN, a safe and inclusive digital platform for open discussion, is to similarly remove the taboo and stigma from conversations centered on sex. While creating an sex positive audio community to address a gap in the market, his mission is purpose-driven - with the ultimate goal of creating a global impact - advancing the narrative around sex and sexuality - by becoming the go-to resource for sex-positive content and community.
Khara Croswaite Brindle, MA, LPC, ACS, CFT-I
is passionate about giving people aha moments that create goosebumps and catalyze powerful action. She is a TEDx Speaker, Licensed Mental Health Therapist, and Financial Therapist in Colorado. Khara enjoys various roles as a serial entrepreneur, author, professional speaker, professor, and consultant. Her greatest joy is engaging driven entrepreneurs, fellow helpers, and perfectionists to move from workaholic to well-balanced with streamlined strategies that fit their busy lifestyles. Khara specializes in helping therapists and financial therapists turn pain points into possibilities through consultation, courses, and supervision. She is originally from the Pacific Northwest and gets her best ideas walking outside and being around water. When Khara’s not writing her next book or supporting fellow professional helpers on their own self-discovery journeys, she enjoys spending time with her daughter, reading, and indulging in gluttonous, gluten-free desserts with her family.
Jamie Oliver
Jamie is a former marketing executive, MBA, and current SHA student. She has spent the last 20 years as a marketing leader focused on digital marketing strategy, execution, and creating scalable monetization. She has worked across multiple verticals, from Fortune 500 consumer media companies to large and small startups. Jamie recently launched her sex coaching brand Balanced Man.
Previous SHA Business Summit presenters:
N. JASMINE JOHNSON, LCSW AKA JET SETTING JASMINE
N. Jasmine Johnson, MSW, MA, LCSW, is a licensed clinical therapist and owner of virtual mental health practice Blue Pearl Therapy LLC. She has a strong therapeutic emphasis on Intimacy Post Injury & Illness, Trauma, Drama and Kink, and Sex-Positive Parenting. Jasmine offers her expertise to train other therapists and professionals on the use of erotica in practice and also to create safe spaces for Sex Workers, Kinksters, and Alternative Lifestylers to engage in stigma and bias-free therapy.
Jasmine is the co-owner of Royal Fetish Films and Jet Setting Jasmine LLC where the love of the arts, film, and sex education are combined to produce content that stimulates and engages the audience to push their sexual boundaries. Jasmine shares more than 20 years of experience, with partner King Noire as Adult Entertainers, Educators, and Master Fetish Trainers. The duo are award-winning adult film stars and have dedicated their craft to creating a more inclusive and ethically sound adult entertainment industry.
CHRIS DONAGHUE, PHD, CST
Dr. Chris Donaghue is an international lecturer, therapist, and educator. Dr Donaghue is the Director of Clinical Education for The Sexual Health Alliance (SHA), host of the LoveLine podcast, weekly expert on “The Amber Rose Show”, and frequent co host on “The Doctors” tv show. He previously hosted WE tv’s “Sex Box”and Logo tv’s “Bad Sex”. He is published in various professional journals and top magazines, and has been featured on The Today Show, VICE, CNN, HLN, OWN, Nightline, Dr Drew and in Newsweek, New York Times, Daily Beast, Mens Health, Cosmo, and National Geographic. Author of the book, “Sex Outside the Lines: Authentic Sexuality in a Sexually Dysfunctional Culture”. 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. Chris Donaghue is a Doctor of Clinical Sexology and Human Sexuality, Doctoral trained in Clinical Psychology, Licensed Clinical Therapist, a Certified Sex Therapist and a Certified Sexologist. Dr. Donaghue practices general psychology and specializes in individual and couples sex, relational, and marital therapy. His work also includes sexual compulsivity, sexual anorexia, sexual dysfunctions, and non-traditional sexuality, identities, and relationships. His work is also with diverse individuals, including all gender expressions, sexual orientations, and Kink/BDSM/Poly issues. His office is located in Los Angeles.
DR. JUSTIN LEHMILLER
Dr. Justin Lehmiller received his Ph.D. in Social Psychology from Purdue University. Dr. Lehmiller also is Director of the Study Abroad Program with the Sexual Health Alliance. He is a Research Fellow at The Kinsey Institute and author of the book Tell Me What You Want: The Science of Sexual Desire and How It Can Help You Improve Your Sex Life. Dr. Lehmiller is an award-winning educator, having been honored three times with the Certificate of Teaching Excellence from Harvard University, where he taught for several years.
He is also a prolific researcher and scholar who has published more than 50 academic works to date, including a textbook titled The Psychology of Human Sexuality (third edition forthcoming in 2023) that is used in college classrooms around the world.
Dr. Lehmiller’s research focuses on topics including casual sex, sexual fantasy, sexual health, and friends with benefits. His studies have appeared in all of the leading journals on human sexuality, including the Journal of Sex Research, Archives of Sexual Behavior, and The Journal of Sexual Medicine.
ATHENA GAYLE
Athena is a sextech and sexual wellness copywriter and email agency. She’s collaborated with sextech startups, sexual pleasure/wellness companies, and sex coaches. She loves working with brands who want to build a community with their audience. Athena is passionate about the kink community and promoting great sex lives. She’s living her best life in Midwest, USA with her husband, daughter and five doggies. You can connect with Athena at https://www.thesexcopywriter.com/ and athena@athenagaylellc.com
JACQUES GERARD
Jacques is a writer who enjoys writing short stories, novellas, and screenplays. Erotic romance, sci-fi, and mystery genres are his favorite settings for stories that lead to a portal beyond which is a world that inspires the imagination.
When he is not writing, he can be found working out at the gym or watching sports, especially football. In addition, he likes to relax, listening to music, mainly jazz and classic R&B. Music inspires him.
DR. DONNA JENNINGS, PH.D.
Dr. J. | Dr. Donna Jennings, Ph.D., is a seasoned sex therapist, educator, and author, with 47 years of expertise spanning private practice, consulting, and academia. She transitioned into writing after four decades in the field, contributing to numerous publications, including Stupid Fish Productions, SinCyr Publishing, and Bellesa, and anthologies such as Best Women's Erotica Vol 3. Dr. J. also developed the Purple Sex Reflection Deck for Women and is set to release Purple Sex & Love Beyond Your Dreams: A guided journal exploring women's sexuality on August 15, 2023. Her non-fiction book, Scenes with Sex: A Writer’s Sexuality Guide, and an erotic romance novel, Jolted: The Boys of Summer Return, are scheduled for 2024. She facilitates the Passion Works Community on Circle and hosts The Sexuality Space on Twitter and Purple Sex & Erotic Whims on the MŌN app.
ALYSSA LJUBICICH
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.
SUKI DUNHAM
Christmas comes but once a year, but for Suki and Brian Dunham, the 2004 holiday would change their lives forever. That Christmas, Brian gifted Suki with a new vibrator and an iPod®—her two favorite stocking stuffers of all time, we might add. It wasn't long before this ex-Apple product marketing gal thought,"Wouldn't it be cool if I could pair these two, and create one truly amazing dual-sensory experience?" And with that, OhMiBod was born.
The OhMiBod brand embodies the love and passion that Suki and Brian have for each other, as well as the industry they serve. This spirit is best represented with OhMiBod's new Lovelife line of personal massagers, with each product named and designed to reflect the key components to the
Dunhams' successful relationship: share, adventure, discover, smile, flex, dream, and cuddle.