**** April eNewletter ****
Happy April, fellow SSTARGazers!
This month, we’re excited to share new SSTARBurst videos, upcoming training opportunities and conferences, please see the details below.
If you have a workshop, publication, job posting, call for participants, or other announcements you'd like to share with the SSTAR community, we’d love to hear from you!
New Online Submission Form: Please submit your content using the following form: https://form.asana.com/?k=sEXk2Vl4NvJ-Di7eMIUW0w&d=8142059046716 . Please select "SSTARGaze Monthly Newsletter" as your Communication Type. Submissions are due no later than five days before the end of the month (e.g., by April 20 for inclusion in the May newsletter). Be sure to include any relevant deadlines.
After serving as Communications Officer, I am stepping down from this role for a while due to my upcoming maternity leave. I’m excited to share that Marie-Michèle Paquette will be taking over as Interim Communications Officer for the foreseeable future.
Thank you for helping us keep the SSTAR community informed, engaged, and connected!
Have a great day,
Beáta Bőthe, Ph.D.
Communications Officer
Marie-Michèle Paquette, Ph. D.
Interim Communications Officer
SSTARBurst
Dear SSTAR Members:
It's the middle of the month so we're excited to share another SSTARburst video, this time featuring a fantastic interview with fellow SSTAR member Dr. Lyne Piché!
Check it out to learn about the important work Dr. Piché is doing to increase understanding of the intersection of ADHD and sex—how ADHD impacts sexuality and, more importantly, what to do about it.
(And she shares who her idol in our field is. Hint: it's another SSTAR member so watch the video to find out if it's you!).
Click on the image below to link to the video.
What is SSTARburst?
SSTARburst is a series of short video interviews—perfect for your lunch break—each spotlighting a different SSTAR member and featuring their recently published research or practical, real-world clinical or professional insights. It's all about getting to know one another, celebrating the incredible work of SSTAR members, keeping you current on research and clinical or professional practice, and building connection, collaboration, and community.
We hope you enjoy this latest SSTARburst interview!
And if you missed the previous months’ interviews with Dr. Jared Boot-Haury (https://youtu.be/Sl-ZLEZfAso) and Dr. Marie-Michèle Paquette (https://youtu.be/kduhoO9p1kE), check them out.
Finally, if you would like to share recently published research or your clinical or professional insights (or nominate another SSTAR member for this), please reach out to me. I'd love for us all to get to know and learn from you!!
Wishing you a good month until next time!
Warmly,
Carolin Klein, Programs Officer
and the rest of the SSTAR Team
Conferences, Workshops, Training, and Professional Groups
Title of Workshop: Treating the Two Most Common Sexual Complaints: Orgasm issues and diminished desire
Date: Friday, April 17, 2026 | 9AM - 6PM ET, Online Synchronous or Available asynchronously after the live event
Presenters: Laurie Mintz, PhD
Contact Name: Rachel Needle, PsyD
Telephone: 561-379-7207
Email: info@modernsextherapy.com
Title of Workshop: Understanding and Treating Sexual/Genital Pain
Date: Saturday, April 18, 2026 | 2PM - 6PM ET, Online Synchronous or Available asynchronously after the live event
Presenters: Carolin Klein, PhD
Contact Name: Rachel Needle, PsyD
Telephone: 561-379-7207
Email: info@modernsextherapy.com
Dear SSTAR members,
I have an exciting development for both women who have never had an orgasm and those with loss of orgasm (due to menopause, stress or SSRI-induced loss of orgasm and decreased arousal). That is, on March 23, I will be launching two courses in conjunction with Mojo: Love Better. For the "Regain Your Orgasm Course," Mojo and I have teamed up with Dr. Suzette Johnson (sexual medicine MD). This course includes scientifically supported psychosocial strategies for those who have lost or muted orgasms due to menopause, stress or SSRIs, as well as clinical support that directs users to be able to access a prescription for a compounded cream to put on the clitoris that includes sildenafil and other vasodilator. To be fully transparent, I launched this passion project after losing my own orgasm due to an SSSI and being privileged enough to access little-known medical support for this (the cream) and couple it with my knowledge as a sex therapist to regain it. Given that millions of women have SSRI-induced anorgasmia, I wanted others to have access. The second course, "Find Your Orgasm" is for women, who have never had an orgasm. It includes scientifically supported psychosocial strategies. Both courses can be bundled with vibrators, lube, and access to OMG.YES.com. On launch date and beyond, go to mymojo.com to access the courses for yourselves and your clients.
Best,
Laurie Mintz
Mary Ellen Meltzer PMHCNS-BC, CST-S and Joe Winn LICSW, CST-S are launching a sex therapy supervision group beginning on January 13, 2026. If the entire group is attended participants will accrue 12 hours of AASECT group supervision that can be applied towards their application for certification as an AASECT Certified sex therapist. To build trust and foster a community approach to working with the complexities of sexual health, we will be utilizing a once monthly, cohort based closed group model of supervision. The rate for this group is $150 for 2 hours. The dates and hours for this supervisory group are:
- Tuesday February 10, 2026
- Tuesday March 10, 2026
- Tuesday April 14, 2026
- Tuesday May 12, 2026
- Tuesday June 9, 2026
Group starts: 1:00pm PST/ 2:00pm MST/ 3:00am CST / 4:00pm EST,
Group ends: 3:00 pm PST/ 4:00pm MST/ 5:00pm CST/ 6:00pm EST
During the group we will explore the role of assessment, diagnosis, and collaborative intervention from multiple lenses starting with the person of the therapist, their sexological world view, and expanding into the intersectional experiences of race, class, culture, heteronormativity, gender, ageism, and ableism, as well as their impacts on the construction and experience of eroticism, sexuality, sexual pleasure and functioning. As supervisors we hold an integrated perspective on theory, drawing heavily from family systems, psychodynamic, attachment theory, and various models of differentiation. We ask that you bring your cases, your curiosity, and a willingness to be both vulnerable and supportive as we work together to provide excellence to those seeking assistance in the arena of pleasure based sexual health and functioning.
Please feel free to back channel either of us for more information or to schedule an interview for admission.
We look forward to hearing from you!
Mary Ellen Meltzer PMHCNS-BC, CST-S: maryellen.meltzer@comcast.net
Joe Winn LICSW, CST-S: joe@josephwinnlicsw.net
Dear SSTAR members,
We are pleased to announce that registration is now open for the international SAGA Conference: “Sexuality and Generative AI: Benefits, Risks, and Paths for Action.
The event will take place on Thursday, April 30, 2026, at UQAM – Université du Québec à Montréal.
The conference is free, bilingual, and hybrid.
At the following link — https://event.fourwaves.com/fr/sexualiteia/pages — you will find:
- The registration form,
- The program,
- The call for abstracts for scientific posters
We warmly invite you to share this announcement within your networks, including colleagues, students, community partners, or anyone who may be interested in the legal, ethical, social, or clinical issues related to generative AI and sexuality.
This event is made possible through the support of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) and our institutional and community partners.
Thank you sincerely for your collaboration and for helping us disseminate this event.
Kind regards,
David Lafortune, PhD, psychologue | Professeur agrégé
Département de sexologie | Université du Québec à Montréal
Directeur adjoint des programmes de cycles supérieurs | Responsable du programme de maitrise clinique
Directeur du Lab EROSS – Laboratoire d’Étude sur la Réalité virtuelle, les Outils Sexotechnologiques et la Santé sexuelle
Continuing Education Co-Chair | Society for Sex Therapy and Research
Chercheur régulier au CRIPCAS – Centre de Recherche Interdisciplinaire sur les Problèmes Conjugaux et les Agressions Sexuelles
On behalf of the European Federation of Sexology (EFS), and in cooperation with Sociedade Portoguesa de Sexologica Clinica, it is a great pleasure and honour for me to invite and welcome you to the 18th EFS Congress that will take place in Lisbon, Portugal on 28-30 of May 2026.
The biennial European Congress of Sexology stands as a pivotal event for professionals dedicated to advancing the fields of sexual health, education, and advocacy. Organized by the European Federation of Sexology, this congress gathers a diverse group of experts from various disciplines, including medicine, psychology, education, and public health. Attendees engage in discussions on crucial social and psychosocial topics, aiming to enhance knowledge and practices in sexology. This event is essential for fostering collaboration and innovation among those committed to improving sexual health and rights worldwide.
Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of the European Congress of Sexology, where experts from various fields gather to share insights and advancements in sexual health. Secure your spot today to engage with thought leaders and enhance your professional knowledge.
Registration link : https://europeansexologycongress.org/registration/
website link: https://europeansexologycongress.org
Recruitment
Seeking women with vaginismus and/or difficulties with penetration for research on experiences of vaginismus
We are conducting an online study to further understand experiences of vaginismus or difficulties with penetration. The study is being conducted under the supervision of Dr. Caroline Pukall in the Sexual Health Research Laboratory (SexLab) at Queen’s University. The SexLab is dedicated to understanding human sexuality and overall health. If you are unfamiliar with the SexLab and would like to know a bit more about the research we do, please visit our website: www.sexlab.ca. You are also more than welcome to ask us any questions you may have by contacting myself or our research associate (Shannon Coyle) at sex.lab@queensu.ca
We are currently recruiting individuals who are at least 18 years or older, fluent in English, comfortable answering questions about their psychological and sexual wellbeing and identify as currently or previously having experienced vaginismus. Participation involves completing a 30-to-45-minute online survey.
To participate, participants must:
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Be fluent in English
- Be comfortable answering questions about your psychological and sexual wellbeing
- Identify as currently or previously having experienced vaginismus
For more information, please contact Caroline Pukall, the lead researcher, at sex.lab@queensu.ca. All inquiries are completely confidential.
Please let us know if you would be willing to send along this advertisement on our behalf. Again, if you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to email sex.lab@queensu.ca.
Thanks for your help!
This study has received ethical approval by the Queen’s University General Research Ethics Board.
Feel free to share the study details and link with your colleagues!
Caroline Pukall, Melody Garas, Abby Bacon
Sexual Health Research Lab, Department of Psychology, Queen’s University
Book Awards
Society for Sex Therapy and Research announces the Call for Books
Nominations are invited for the 2026 SSTAR Health Professional Book Award
The goal of the award is to recognize the best recent book for health professionals that contributes to the understanding and resolution of sexual disorders.
AWARD
The Society for Sex Therapy and Research (SSTAR) has established the Health Professional Book Award to be given to the author(s) or editor(s) of the best works published in English related to the understanding and treatment of sexual disorders: one addressed to the public, and the other to health professionals.
The 2026 Health Professional Book Award will be announced in November 2025 and will be presented at the 2026 Annual Meeting. This award is given every two years. The award winners (including multiple authors or each of the editors of an edited book where there is more than one editor) will each be given a plaque, and their names will be listed on the SSTAR Website and the membership listserv. There will be no monetary award.
ELIGIBILITY
- Books could be written/edited by any person and nominated for a SSTAR Book Award without regard to the author's/editor's membership in SSTAR
- Content of the book must be related to problems of human sexuality (i.e., sexual dysfunction (s), problematic sexual behavior, paraphilias, gender identity issues or other sexual health problems). It must be in English but could have been translated from another language.
- Book must have been published in the years 2022, 2023, 2024. It may have multiple authors or be an edited work. Previously submitted books are eligible.
- Collections of previously published works would not be eligible.
- Authors/editors would be eligible regardless of having previously won any book award (including a SSTAR Book Award)
- Books must be readily available from bookstores and university libraries. Self-published books will not be eligible.
- The decision of the selection committee as to whether a book is eligible shall be binding.
- For questions, contact info@sstarnet.org or the SSTAR National Office at 847.647.8832.
NOMINATIONS
- Nominations for the Health Professional Book Award may come from any individual, organization or publisher.
- The deadline for submitting nominations is April 30, 2025
- Email info@sstarnet.org with the name, author, publisher and date of publication of the book being nominated.
- Mail a copy of the book to each member of the selection committee (see below).
THE HEALTH PROFESSIONAL BOOK SELECTION COMMITTEE
The award will be made by a selection committee, consisting of six SSTAR members. The Chair of the committee is chosen by the Executive Council. The members of the committee are chosen by the chair in consultation with the Executive Council. The committee will develop a short-list of up to five books from which the winner would be chosen. If a member of the committee has published a book that would be considered by the committee or if he/she has any potential conflict of interest related to the book, its authors/editors, or the publisher, that person must absent him/herself from deliberations concerning the book.
Caroline Smith, LCSWR
81 Ash St.
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
Mary Beth Golden, PhD
5121 W. Winona St.
Chicago, IL. 60630
Ruth Koelling
202 E Washington St., Suite 202
Ann Arbor, MI, 48104
Caroline Maykut - note Canadian address and postage requirements 233A Jane St Toronto, Ontario
M6S 3Y8 Canada
Amanda Adili
363 Bond Street, Apt 904
Brooklyn, NY 11231
CONDITIONS OF THE PRIZE
- Any eligible book which is entered for the SSTAR Book Award shall not qualify unless the publisher or author(s)/editor(s) agrees to provide a book for each member of the book selection committee, at no cost to SSTAR or committee members.
- The SSTAR Book Award will be given to the winning author(s)/editor(s) in person at a SSTAR Annual Meeting. SSTAR would strongly encourage the publishers of the winning book to pay author/editor expenses involved in attending the SSTAR meeting (including travel, lodging, food, and registration), although authors/editors may do so themselves in whole or in part.
- The publisher agrees to include in any advertising for the book that it has been awarded the SSTAR Book Award for a given year.
SUBMISSION PROCEDURES AND DEADLINES:
- Nominated Books need to be received by the final deadline of April 30, 2025.
- Receipt of submissions will be acknowledged in writing by SSTAR.
- Submitted books will not be returned and will remain the property of the reviewers.