| Happy January, fellow SSTARGazers! |
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This month, we’re excited to share upcoming training opportunities, study recruitments, a new book, and a book award announcement, 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 January 20 for inclusion in the February newsletter). Be sure to include any relevant deadlines. Thank you for helping us keep the SSTAR community informed, engaged, and connected! Have a great day, Beáta Bőthe, Ph.D. Communications Chair |
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| STP Award at the upcoming 2026 Annual Meeting |
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Dear Colleagues, Abstracts accepted for presentation by the SSTAR Program committee. Will once again be eligible for selection as an STP Award Winner at the upcoming 2026 Annual Meeting. The Certificate will be awarded for the best abstract that is aligned with the Sexual Tipping Point Model and reflective of the Foundation’s mission. In appreciation of current global inflation The MAP Education & Research Foundation will increase the monetary prize offered in 2026 from $1500 to $2000! The STP Award will be presented towards the conclusion of the Annual Meeting on Saturday, May 9th.” Best wishes for the holidays to all—Michael Michael A. Perelman, Ph.D. 27 Otter Rock Drive Greenwich, CT, 06830 EMAIL: drpnyc@mac.com Tel: 203-622-5000 Co-Director, Human Sexuality Program Clinical Professor Emeritus of Psychology in Psychiatry Former Clinical Professor of Reproductive Medicine & Urology Weill Cornell Medicine | NewYork-Presbyterian & Founder & Chairman MAP Education & Research Foundation 70 East 77th Street, Suite 1C New York, N.Y. 10075 USA Telephone: 212-570-5000 Website: mapedfund.org Email: michael@mapedfund.org The MAP Education & Research Foundation is an approved 501(c)(3) public charity. |
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| Conferences, Workshops, Training, and Professional Groups |
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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 |
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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 January 13, 2026
- 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 |
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Title of Workshop: Neurobiology of Sex, Love & Attachment Date: Friday, January 16, 2026 | 2pm – 6pm ET, Online Synchronous Presenter: Kate Balestrieri, PsyD, CSAT-S Contact Name: Rachel Needle, Psy.D. Telephone: 561-379-7207 Email: admin@modernsextherapy.com Link: https://modernsextherapyinstitutes.com/product/neurobiology-of-sex-love-attachment-4-ce-hours-2024/ Title of Workshop: Working with Compulsive Sexual Behaviors Date: Saturday, January 17, 2026 | 9am – 1pm ET, Online Synchronous Presenter: Silva Neves, AccCOSRT, AccCOSRT(Sup), UKCP, MBACP, AGSRDT Contact Name: Rachel Needle, Psy.D. Telephone: 561-379-7207 Email: admin@modernsextherapy.com Link: https://modernsextherapyinstitutes.com/product/working-with-compulsive-sexual-behaviours/ Title of Workshop: The Business of Clinical Sexology, Pt. II Date: Saturday, January 17, 2026 | 2pm – 6pm ET, Online Synchronous Presenter: Marla Renee Stewart, MA Contact Name: Rachel Needle, Psy.D. Telephone: 561-379-7207 Email: admin@modernsextherapy.com Link: https://modernsextherapyinstitutes.com/product/the-business-of-clinical-sexology-pt-ii/ |
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| EXTENDED CALL FOR PROPOSALS UNTIL JANUARY 15, 2026!!! |
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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 |
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Research Opportunity for Individuals with Metastatic Breast Cancer Researchers at the University of Connecticut are seeking people with metastatic breast cancer to participate in a study about their intimate experiences while facing cancer. We are asking people with metastatic breast cancer to complete a 45-minute online survey that includes scales asking about health, sexuality, communication, and well-being, as well as open-ended questions asking how you define sexuality, how you express sexuality, and how you communicate with your partner about sexuality. All data will be collected anonymously. You may qualify to participate if you are someone who is: - A woman
- Diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer
- 18 years of age or older
- Located in the United States
- In a romantic relationship of at least 3 months that currently or has previously involved sexual activity
- Experiencing relational or sexual changes in the relationship due to cancer diagnosis and/or treatment
- Willing to share experiences regarding your sexuality and sexual relationship with your partner, including how cancer may have influenced these aspects of your relationship
If you believe you meet these qualifications and would like to participate, please complete the screening survey: https://tinyurl.com/UConnMBCStudy Please also feel free to email us if you have any follow-up questions at CouplesCommAboutCancerStudy@uconn.edu We appreciate you taking the time to consider participating in this study, Amanda Denes, PhD Primary Investigator for Couples’ Communication About Metastatic Breast Cancer Study |
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Setting research priorities for compulsive sexual behavior (CSB) research We invite individuals to participate in our online survey exploring Compulsive Sexual Behaviour Disorder (CSBD). In our study, we seek to hear the unique experiences of those struggling with CSBD to improve prevention and effective interventions, identify gaps in existing research, understand potential stigma, and more. The survey will take approximately 5-10 minutes and is available in English, Chinese, Spanish, French, Russian, Hungarian, German, Polish, Spanish, Chinese (Mandarin), Hebrew, and Portuguese. A list of resources and support services will be provided at the beginning and end of the survey. You can take part if you are over 18 years old and currently have, or had in the past five years, difficulties with compulsive or excessive sexual behavior (e.g. pornography use, sexual encounters). Participation is completely anonymous, and your responses will help us to improve efforts for support as well as future research. Please share the survey in your network: https://bit.ly/CSB_survey If you have any questions, do not hesitate to reach out to us at CSBDresearch@ppk.elte.hu or beata.bothe@umontreal.ca. Thank you, Beáta Bőthe, Ph.D. Assistant professor Director, Sexuality, Technology, and Addictions Research Lab (STAR Lab) Researcher, Interdisciplinary Research Centre on Intimate Relationship Problems and Sexual Abuse CRIPCAS) |
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The Society for Sex Therapy and Research announces the call for nominations for the 2027 SSTAR Consumer Book Award. As part of SSTAR’s vision to advance sexual wellbeing, the organization honors exceptional contributions to the field by recognizing outstanding consumer books on sexuality with its Consumer Book Award. The goal of the award is to recognize the best recent book for consumers (intended for the lay public or general reader and NOT for therapists, mental health specialists or other health care providers) that contributes to the understanding of human sexuality and/or sexual problems. The award will be presented at the 2027 Annual Meeting. Eligibility Criteria 1. Content of the book must be related to human sexuality and/or sexual problems. 2. The book must be in English and must have been published between April 1, 2024 and February 28, 2026. The book may have multiple authors or be an edited work. Previously submitted books are eligible. How to Nominate a Book - Nominations for the Consumer Book Award may come from any individual, organization, or publisher. Membership in SSTAR is NOT a prerequisite for entry.
- The deadline for submitting nominations is March 31, 2026.
- To nominate a book:
A. Email the Committee Chairperson, Dr. Stephanie Kuffel, at swkuffel@qwestoffice.net, and CC the SSTAR office at info@sstarnet.org, providing all relevant details about the book being nominated. This is to include the name, author, publisher, and date of publication of the book. Receipt of submissions will be acknowledged in writing by SSTAR. B. Mail copies of the book to each of the following five committee members - please note that Alice Girouard is a resident of Canada and should not be required to pay duty or taxes on any books sent to them and therefore will not accept books in which there are costs due them. Submitted books will not be returned and will remain the property of the reviewers. Email the Chairperson, Dr. Stephanie Kuffel, at swkuffel@qwestoffice.net to obtain addresses of each committee member. Books received after the final deadline will not be eligible. ABOUT THE AWARD The Society for Sex Therapy and Research (SSTAR) established the Consumer Book Award to be given to the author(s) or editor(s) of the best work published in English for consumers that contributes to the understanding of human sexuality and/or sexual problems. 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 Web site. There will be no monetary award. The SSTAR Consumer Book Award is to be given every two years. CONDITIONS OF THE PRIZES Any eligible book which is entered for a SSTAR Book Award shall not qualify unless the publisher or author(s)/editor(s) agrees to provide copies of the book at no cost to each member of the selection committee. The SSTAR Consumer Book Award will be given to the winning author(s)/editor(s) in person at the SSTAR Annual Meeting. The winning author(s) will give a 20-minute presentation about the book after the award is presented. SSTAR strongly encourages the publishers of the winning book to pay the 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 of the winning book agrees to include in any advertising after the award has been announced that the book has been awarded the SSTAR Consumer Book Award. Publicity directed towards the public and organizations of sexuality professionals announcing the winner of the SSTAR Book Award will be the joint responsibility of SSTAR, the author(s)/editor(s), and the publishers. ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE AWARD The winner of the SSTAR Consumer Book Award will be announced on the SSTAR social media channels and website (www.sstarnet.org). At the committee’s discretion, one or more of the other nominated books may also be selected for special mention. The selection committee will reach its decision in private deliberations. Publishers, authors, and editors should be aware that they will receive no advance notice of the finalists or the winners before the award is officially announced. For further information concerning the Consumer Book Award, please contact the chairperson Dr. Stephanie Kuffel at swkuffel@qwestoffice.net. 2027 SSTAR Consumer Book Award Committee: - Stephanie Kuffel, PhD (Chair)
- Michael Giordano, LICSW
- Alice Girouard, PhD
- Bernie Newton, MS, LCMHC, CST
- Anabel Perez-Gonzalez, LCSW
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Rahim Thawer, Pratyusha Tummala-Narra, Carm de Santis: Practice & Politics: An Essential Reader For Social Workers And Therapists ABOUT THE BOOK Is it appropriate for a therapist to be politicized? Can you be anti-oppressive as a psychodynamic therapist? What are the clinical implications of working with clients who request you as a queer or racialized therapist? Practice & Politics: An Essential Reader for Social Workers and Therapists is a conversation-in-book form that explores these questions with depth and nuance. Edited by Rahim Thawer, MSW, RSW, this collection brings together the voices of queer and racialized clinicians who examine the intersections of identity, politics, and care within the fields of psychotherapy and social work. This first volume foregrounds the political nature of clinical and community practice. It emphasizes that therapeutic work never occurs in isolation but is continuously shaped by systems of power, privilege, and oppression, including colonial histories, racial hierarchies, capitalism, heteronormativity, and ableism. Readers are invited to reflect on how these forces influence both their clients and their own professional choices. Through essays, case examples, and critical conversations, Practice & Politics helps practitioners develop the vocabulary and conceptual tools to identify how systemic dynamics show up in therapeutic, organizational, and community settings. It encourages readers to move away from neutral or depoliticized approaches and toward more ethically engaged, reflexive, and socially attuned practices. Buy in Canada: https://www.indiebookstores.ca/book/9781967633005/ Buy in the US: https://bookshop.org/shop/RahimThawer |
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