September 13,
2024
Virtually hosted by Relationship Panoramic, Inc.
2024 Agenda and Presenters
Agenda
- 9 – 10 am: Dr. Sara Nasserzadeh, Six key ingredients for thriving relationships – an evidence-informed model
- 10 – 11 am: Dr. Emily Nagoski, Come Together
- 11 – 12 pm: Dr. Chris Walling, Bridging Minds and Bodies: Advancing Sexual Well-Being in Embodied Psychoanalysis.
- 12 – 1 pm: Lunch Break
- 1 – 2 pm: Dr. Debby Herbenick, Yes, Your kid! What Parents Need to Know About Today’s Teens and Sex.
- 2 – 3 pm: Rick Miller, Gay Men: It All Begins With Your Mother and Transcends Beyond
- 3 – 4 pm: Jessica Fern and Dr. Adrian Scharfetter in a panel with August McLaughlin
- Topic: A dialogue on being Polysecure and Polywise
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Sara Nasserzadeh, PhD
Author, Chair: World Sexual Health Day North America
Six key ingredients for thriving relationships – an evidence-informed model
Building world peace, one relationship at a time is the mission of Dr. Sara Nasserzadeh, a globally renowned author, speaker and thinking partner. With a PhD in Social Psychology and specialization in the fields of human sexuality and relationships, Dr. Nasserzadeh has worked with thousands of individuals, couples, and organizational clients to enhance relational health and sense of thriving at micro and macro levels. She has been a sought-after cultural advisor, speaker, and expert facilitator at high profile events hosted by governmental organizations, United Nations Agencies, academic institutions, and Fortune 500 companies. Her third book “Love by Design: 6 Ingredients to Build a Lifetime of Love” is the result of her two-decade-long research on the status of thriving relationships and its key ingredients, namely: attraction, respect, trust, shared vision, compassion, and loving behaviors. Dr. Nasserzadeh whose work has been featured on NPR, the BBC, ABC, CNN, and USA Today, is based in Los Angeles, CA, and travels widely.
Reference: Love by Design: 6 ingredients to build a lifetime of love (2024). Balance. New York.
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Emily Nagoski, PhD
New York Times Bestselling Author
Come Together
How do couples of all kinds sustain strong sexual connections over the long term? The answer has nothing to do with “spark” or “spice”! Instead the science shows us couples who trust and admire each other, and who choose to co-create a sexual connection that prioritizes pleasure. In this talk, we’ll review strategies for making this a reality.
Objective: To integrate the seven primary process emotions into a sex therapy or sex education context, to address difficulties with arousal, desire, pleasure, and orgasm.
Reference: Mills-Finnerty, Colleen, et al. “Affective neuroscience: applications for sexual medicine research and clinical practice.” Sexual Medicine Reviews (2024): qead048.
Instagram: @enagoski, Website: emilynagoski.com
Bio: EMILY NAGOSKI is the award-winning author of the New York Times bestselling Come As You Are and Come Together, as well as The Come As You Are Workbook, and coauthor, with her sister, Amelia, of New York Times bestseller Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle. She earned an M.S. in counseling and a Ph.D. in health behavior, both from Indiana University, with clinical and research training at the Kinsey Institute. Now she combines sex education and stress education to teach women to live with confidence and joy inside their bodies. She lives in Massachusetts with two dogs, a cat, and a cartoonist.
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Chris Walling, PsyD, MBA, FABP
Associate Professor and Clinical Psychologist
Bridging Minds and Bodies: Advancing Sexual Well-Being in Embodied Psychoanalysis
In this talk, Dr. Walling will explore his pioneering research project, “An Embodied Psychoanalytic Approach to the 4-D Model.” By integrating embodied psychoanalysis with Dr. Gina Ogden’s Four-Dimensional model, he delves into the intricate connections between body, mind, heart, and spirit in the realms of sex research and therapy. Utilizing the Kinsey Institute’s archives, Dr. Walling’s work emphasizes the foundational role of somatic experiences in psychological development and therapy. He will present a comprehensive framework that captures the complexities of sexual experiences and identities, and discuss his forthcoming book that aims to synthesize embodied psychoanalysis with historical insights, theoretical frameworks, and practical applications. This talk will significantly contribute to the discourse on sex therapy and research, promoting a holistic understanding of sexual well-being that bridges the gap between mind and body, honoring Dr. Ogden’s legacy.
Bio: https://somapsychology.com/about/, Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drwalling/
Bio: Dr. Chris Walling, PsyD, MBA, FABP is a licensed clinical psychologist, board-certified psychoanalyst, and an active leader in the bio-behavioral sciences. Dr. Walling is an Associate Professor in the Department of Research Psychology at the California Institute of Integral Studies, the Research Chair & Past-President of the United States Association for Body Psychotherapy, and was Associate Deputy-Editor of the International Body Psychotherapy Journal. He is a Fellow of the American Board of Psychoanalysis and a member of the New Center for Psychoanalysis where he serves as Faculty in the Adult Psychoanalytic Training program and serves on their Education Committee & Diversities Committee, Dr. Walling also serves on the American Psychoanalytic Association’s Committee on Gender & Sexuality. Dr. Walling is a Clinical Research Fellow at Kinsey Institute for Research on Sex, Gender and Reproduction located at Indiana University Bloomington and serves on their International Advisory Council. His clinical interests survey the fields of somatic psychotherapy, relational psychoanalysis, human sexuality, and trauma psychology. His peer-reviewed works are published in the American Psychological Association‘s Journal of Psychotherapy and the International Body Psychotherapy Journal. Dr. Walling maintains a private practice in Brentwood (Los Angeles), California.
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Debby Herbenick, PhD
Sexuality Researcher and Educator
Yes, Your kid! What Parents Need to Know About Today's Teens and Sex
This talk will focus on an overview of key topics in sexuality, from communication and consent to pornography and rough sex, describing how things have changed for the younger generation. Dr. Herbenick will offer age-appropriate tools to not only talk to tweens, teens, and college-aged kids about sex and consent, but also build a healthy foundation with younger children. She has some concrete advice for parents and providers which they can share directly with their children so that—if and when their children become sexually active with partners—they are more likely to have safer, consensual sex.
Bio: Debby Herbenick, PhD, is an award-winning, internationally recognized sexuality researcher and an AASECT-certified sexuality educator. She is a professor at the Indiana University School of Public Health and the author of five bestselling books about human sexuality. Dr. Herbenick has been published in the Washington Post, New York Times, and Men’s Health magazine, and has provided expert opinions about sex on television shows such as Tyra, Katie, The Doctors, and The Tamron Hall Show.
Learn more about Dr. Herbenichks work here: https://www.debbyherbenick.com
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Rick Miller, LICSW
Psychotherapist, Author and Speaker
Gay Men: It All Begins With Your Mother and Transcends Beyond
Join Psychotherapist and Founder of the non-profit Gay Sons and Mothers to learn about how mothers of gay sons can have the biggest impact on her sons wellbeing. Research on this topic will be shared, including how these themes of love and acceptance transport into adulthood. This talk will highlight how gay men can contribute to their own positive relationships, whether it be in partnership, families or other groups they affiliated with. Instead of hiding behind secrecy or shame, tips embodying comfort and confidence will be shared in order to promote physical, emotional and sexual wellness.
Bio: Rick Miller, LICSW, is an internationally recognized inspirational speaker, psychotherapist, and author. He is a pioneer in creating mind/body and hypnotic scripts for gay men, has trained medical and mental-health providers in creating and using them, and wrote the first-ever book on the topic. He is the founder and executive director of Gay Sons and Mothers, a nonprofit organization providing education around
the powerful influence mothers have on their gay sons.
Links: www.rickmiller.biz, and www.gaysonsandmothers.org
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Jessica Fern
Psychotherapist, Coach and Certified Clinical Trauma Professional
Panel: A dialogue on being Polysecure and Polywise
Attachment theory has entered the mainstream, but most discussions focus on how we can cultivate secure monogamous relationships. What if, like many people, you’re striving for secure, happy attachments with more than one partner? Polyamorous psychotherapist Jessica Fern shares her nested model of attachment and trauma to bring new lights into our conversation around consensual non-monogamy. We will also discuss her six specific strategies to help you move toward secure attachments in your multiple relationships.
Bio: Jessica Fern is a Psychotherapist, Coach, and Certified Clinical Trauma Professional. Jessica is the author of Polysecure: Attachment, Trauma, and NonMonogamy, The Polysecure Workbook, and Polywise: A Deeper Dive Into Navigating Open Relationships. In her international private practice, Jessica works with individuals, couples, and people in multiple-partner relationships who no longer want to be limited by their reactive patterns, cultural conditioning, insecure attachment styles, and past traumas, helping them to embody new possibilities in life and love. Learn more at JessicaFern.com.
— Jessica Fern, MS Psychotherapist, Coach, and Author of Polysecure & Polywise. connect@JessicaFern.com, www.JessicaFern.com
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Adrian Scharfetter, PhD
AASECT Certified Sex Therapist and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Panel: A dialogue on being Polysecure and Polywise
Bio: Dr Adrian Scharfetter is an AASECT certified sex therapist and Marriage and Family Therapist in private practice in California. Dr. Scharfetter has PhD in Human Consciousness research where he has studied the vast explorations around psychedelic integration as a means towards healing trauma. Dr. Scharfetter has worked extensively with a variety of populations and relationship styles, mostly focusing on alternative lifestyle and relationship dynamics, as well as men’s sexual health, kink and spiritual identities, communication styles in relationship, and working with sexual trauma. Dr. Scharfetter has been involved with the current work around utilizing psychedelics as a modality in the therapeutic container and has been trained in utilizing both ketamine and MDMA in a therapeutic setting. He is currently researching ketamine use and couples therapy to rebuild trust dynamics in relationships, as well as helping with development of a positive body connection for individuals who have had struggles with libido, sexual desire, and intimacy due to lack of body awareness or emotional disconnection from their physical being. Dr. Scharfetter is also a combat veteran with the US Army and includes veteran work and outreach as an important part of the work ahead, dedicating a portion of his practice in helping fellow veterans find the support they need.
Link: https://sanfranciscosextherapy.com/dr-adrian-scharfetter-phd-mft
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August McLaughlin
Author, Podcaster, Emcee
August McLaughlin is a journalist, author, certified sex educator and host/producer of Girl Boner Radio, which was named “one of the best sex podcasts you should be listening to” by Romper and a top feminist podcast by Bellesa. August’s articles and expertise have been featured in a range of publications, including Cosmopolitan, The Washington Post, O: The Oprah Magazine and Shape. Her Girl Boner book, called “refreshingly inclusive” and “a welcome addition to sexual health literature” by Publisher’s Weekly, is currently in its second printing.
Link: augustmclaughlin.com
2024 Supporters and sponsors
LearnSexTherapy.com by The Buehler Institute (TBI), serves as a top resource for professionals seeking advanced training in sex and relationship therapy. Central to its offerings, TBI offers a range of inclusive continuing education programs aimed at enhancing the practical skills and theoretical knowledge of clinicians.
Link: LearnSexTherapy.com
Key among these is the Comprehensive Sexology Program, designed for those meeting the certification requirements of AASECT (American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists). Starting in the fall, the platform will also launch a series of ongoing webinars led by experts in the field, providing insights into various aspects of sexology.
Founded by Dr. Stephanie Buehler, a psychologist and AASECT-certified sex therapist known for authoring a significant textbook on sex therapy, and managed by Anneka Buehler, M.Ed., who is pursuing AASECT certification, LearnSexTherapy.com maintains rigorous standards as a CE provider approved by multiple accrediting bodies including AASECT, APA, NBCC, and the CA Board of Registered Nurses. The institute leverages Dr. Buehler’s extensive experience and academic insights, along with Anneka Buehler’s innovative approach, to offer a scientifically robust and therapeutic educational experience.
Ideal for therapists and educators committed to lifelong learning, LearnSexTherapy.com delivers practical, evidence-based resources tailored to the dynamic needs of sexual health professionals. This platform ensures that attendees stay current with the latest research and clinical practices in sex therapy.
Through the Integrative Sex Therapy Institute, Dr. Tammy Nelson has created a platform for professionals to access expert-led training, supervision, and resources tailored to address the complex dynamics of sexual and intimate relationships. The Institute offers the only international designation as a Certified Sex and Couples Therapist (CSCT), setting a global standard for excellence in the field. By integrating various therapeutic modalities and approaches, including mindfulness, attachment theory, and somatic therapy, the Institute equips professionals with the tools and techniques needed to effectively support individuals and couples in resolving sexual issues, enhancing intimacy, and promoting overall relationship well-being.
Modern Sex Therapy Institutes (MSTI) is a CE provider for AASECT, NBCC, APA, IBOSP, and ASWB. MSTI provides certifications including Sex Therapy, LGBTQIA Affirmative Therapy, Transgender Affirmative Mental Health Care, Couples and Sex Therapy, Somatic SexTherapy, Sexual Trauma Alternative Relationships, Problematic Sexual Behavior, Neurodiversity Sexuality Professional, Medical Sexology, Sex Counselor, Kink Conscious Professional, Sex Educator, and several other specialty certifications. MSTI also offers a Ph.D. in Clinical Sexology that meets ALL AASECT and IBOSP’s certification requirements as well. There are over 350 archived workshops available and new live via zoom webinars offered each month. MSTI has more than 20 supervisors providing case consultation and over 30 experts from around the world providing education each year.
Become a Certified Sex Therapist in just 1 year with Modern Sex Therapy Institutes, renew your license with our CES, receive a specialty sexuality certification in just 3 months, OR get your Ph.D. in Clinical Sexology in 2 years! You will be part of a large group of alumni and experts around the world that have been part of the MSTI family over the past 14 years!
If you have any questions you can contact Rachel Needle, Psy.D. at 561-379-7207 or info@modernsextherapy.com
Kiss & Tell Magazine (K&T) is a pioneering online publication dedicated to open, honest discussions about sexual, mental and physical health, relationships, and overall well-being. Founded to combat misinformation and stigma surrounding sex, the magazine has evolved into a comprehensive platform for empowerment and education.
At its core, K&T aims to enhance sexual intelligence and normalize healthy attitudes towards sexuality. The magazine creates a safe space where consent is paramount and sexual well-being is celebrated. Its mission extends beyond sex education, guiding readers towards resilience and authenticity in all aspects of life.
K&T stands for transparency, believing that everyone deserves access to accurate information. It serves as a forum where the unsaid is said, encouraging continuous dialogue about topics often considered taboo. The magazine recognizes the inter-connectedness of sexual, mental, and physical health, addressing these areas holistically.
The platform offers in-depth articles, peer-reviewed content from experts, and focuses on respectability and integrity. K&T is committed to breaking barriers, dismantling misconceptions, and ensuring diverse voices are heard. It champions a comprehensive approach to well-being, viewing healing as an ongoing process of growth and acceptance.
By fostering self-discovery and embracing intimacy, Kiss & Tell Magazine empowers its readers to navigate life’s challenges with confidence and authenticity. The magazine remains dedicated to challenging societal norms and promoting genuine self-expression, making it a trusted resource for those seeking to enhance their sexual intelligence and overall quality of life.