For Professionals

Presenters: Megan Andelloux, CSE, ACS and Aida Manduley

Despite Kinsey’s groundbreaking work on human sexual behavior, the scientific study of sexual pleasure has often been ridiculed or silenced in many educational settings. Even in the modern field of sexual education—especially within youth-focused programs—there is a huge gulf between the “safe” subject of health and the “risqué” research on pleasure. Ignoring pleasure, these discussions of sex and sexuality offer little assistance to youth, instead providing alternatives that feel distanced from reality and not applicable to their lives. Research has shown a clear need for effective approaches that include the notion of pleasure in order to ensure relevance and create positive change. Educators who bridge the gap between pleasure and health are often found within the sex-positive community, yet this strategy can feel risky for many professionals, especially those in more conservative areas. This interactive lecture will integrate media to effectively explain the manners and methods that can be used to incorporate sex-positive messages in the pursuit of forming sexually healthy individuals. Professionals will gain teaching tools and information so they can more comfortably advocate within their specific communities for comprehensive sex-ed.

Presenters: Megan Andelloux, CSE, ACS and Aida Manduley

This workshop highlights the importance of discussing fantasies from a sex-positive educational standpoint while addressing some of the main concerns surrounding our unspoken desires. Presenters will provide examples of the most common hidden fantasies and their relevance in the context of risk-reduction sex education, while participants will be given the necessary tools and knowledge to better understand this traditionally taboo topic. Acknowledging the wide range of human desire and the educator’s need to address it, this workshop will equip participants with the resources, strategies and background knowledge to help safely facilitate group conversations around this taboo territory in sex education.

Presenters: Megan Andelloux, CSE, ACS and Aida Manduley

In this workshop, presenters will explore concerns held by youth regarding sexuality that may go unaddressed by formal educational channels, often leading to a lifetime of sexual stigma and shame. This interactive workshop will explore popular sources of sex education accessed by youth, discuss why they turn to these sources, and, through activities that target different learning styles, equip the audience with some tools to tackle shame reduction and help promote healthy sexual development for these age-groups.

Presenters: Megan Andelloux, CSE, ACS and Aida Manduley

As the field of sexology slowly gains popular support, sexuality educators are adapting to reach new populations and audiences. Traditionally, sex-ed was delivered in schools to adolescents, but now adults are becoming an important population seeking quality sex education. This workshop examines the importance of making adult sex education more accessible by bringing it to a variety of settings such as community centers, bookstores, art galleries, and colleges. Participants will learn about the structures behind new community-based sex education models, discuss the benefits and the difficulties of this approach from a grassroots organizational perspective, and leave with resources regarding the organizations and individuals that are leading the way.

Presenter: Megan Andelloux, CSE, ACS

For Americans, the concept of sex education always seems to be controversial. From defunding research that examines what people do in bed, to preventing discussion on how to safely engage in sex, there tends to be more defensive reaction than progressive steps. Some of the most recent attacks have been against nationally-renowned sex educators who choose to educate college students. Join Ms. Andelloux, sexologist and sex educator, as she discusses her journey to foster positive sexual outlooks and the furor sparked over her workshops on college campuses. Come learn more about the stance of those trying to deny college students access to education about their own sexuality so you can be better prepared to defend yourself from their arguments.

Presenter: Joseph Winn, MSW, LICSW

People presenting with GLB orientations, Trans gender identities, and those born with Intersexed, or ambiguous, genitalia are often reluctant to discuss their health care concerns with medical providers. Complicating this matter further is the reality that the majority of health care providers in this country receive little, if any, training in understanding the health care needs faced by thier GLBTI patients. This four-hour offering will invite clinicians, health care practitioners, and others interested in providing both mental health and medical care to GLBTI people and their families. This course is approved for 4 AASECT CEs. CEs for Social workers and MFTs are pending.

Presenter: Joseph Winn, MSW, LICSW

This four-hour offering is designed to introduce clinicians to various theoretical models and intervention strategies surrounding the concept of sexual addiction and compulsivity. Particular attention will be placed on issues of differential diagnosis, clinical assessment, formulation and treatment planning. This course is approved for 4 AASECT CEs. CEs for Social workers and MFTs are pending.

Presenter: Joseph Winn, MSW, LICSW

Sexuality is as complex a dimension of the human experience as is race, ethnicity, socio-economic status, and gender identity; however, many clinicians are not comfortable discussing sexuality with their clients. This lack of training often silences the client who may want to discuss topics of sex and sexuality in the clinical setting. Topics will include common barriers to discussing sexual issues in clinical practice, an introduction of the PLISSIT and BETTER models of discussing sex and sexuality in clinical settings, as well as an exploration of ones own beliefs and concerns about discussing sexual issues with clients. This course is approved for 4 AASECT CEs. CEs for Social workers and MFTs are pending.

Presenter: Joseph Winn, MSW, LICSW

One of the most challenging issues confronting clinicians interested in working in the field of human sexuality are the topics of BDSM, kink, fetishism, and other sexual practices that seem to be on the fringes of human sexual expression. This introductory course will provide participants with basic terminology and theoretical perspectives on working respectfully with clients engaged in BDSM and kink behavior, as well as assistance in learning to recognize the difference between intense and consensual erotic play and forensic concerns involving domestic violence and non-consensual actions. This course is approved for 4 AASECT CEs. CEs for Social workers and MFTs are pending.