**** July eNewsletter ****
Happy July fellow SSTARGazers!
We hope your summer is off to a great start! ☀️
This month, we’re excited to share our SSTARBurst videos, upcoming training opportunities, and a new book —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 June 20 for inclusion in the July newsletter). Be sure to include any relevant deadlines.
We’re grateful for your continued contributions to keeping the SSTAR community informed, engaged, and connected!
Have a great day ☀️,
Marie-Michèle Paquette, Ph.D.
Interim Communications Officer
Scheduled SSTAR Website Maintenance
Please note that scheduled system maintenance will take place on Sunday, July 5.
SSTARnet.org access may be unavailable for up to 40 minutes during this time due to system upgrades.
Maintenance Schedule:
Central Europe (CEST): 1:30 PM
US Eastern (EDT): 7:30 AM
US Central (CDT): 6:30 AM
US Pacific (PDT): 4:30 AM
APAC (HKT): 7:30 PM
We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding as we work to improve our services.
SSTARBurst
Dear SSTAR Members:
Following on the heels of all the new research shared at the annual meeting, I’m excited to share more new research with this month’s SSTARburst video. In this video, you'll get to know Erin McClung and her recently published research on the effects of autonomy support when romantic relationships end.
In this video you’ll learn:
- What “autonomy support” is.
- Why it is helpful not only throughout a relationship, but also when a relationship ends.
- Clinical/real-world implications for those going through a break-up.
- Erin’s most and least favorite aspects of the research process.
And if you missed our previous SSTARburst interviews with:
- Dr. Jared Boot-Haury
- Dr. Marie-Michèle Paquette
- Dr. Lyne Piché, and
- Dr. Bonnie Saks, you can find them here.
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 SSTARburst interview.
Warmly,
Carolin Klein, Programs Officer
and the rest of the SSTAR Team
Conferences, Workshops, Training, and Professional Groups
Upcoming MSTI presentations for July 2026:
Title of Workshop: Pills that Power Pleasure: What every sexual medicine provider should know
Date: Friday, July 17, 2026 | 9AM - 10AM ET, Online Synchronous
Presenters: Amy Pearlman, MD
Contact Name: Rachel Needle, PsyD
Telephone: 561-379-7207
Email: info@modernsextherapy.com
Title of Workshop: Navigating Sexual Changes due to Menopause: Sex therapy for creating sex worth wanting at any age
Date: Friday, July 17, 2026 | 2PM - 6PM ET, Online Synchronous
Presenters: Rachel Zar, PhD
Contact Name: Rachel Needle, PsyD
Telephone: 561-379-7207
Email: info@modernsextherapy.com
Link: https://modernsextherapyinstitutes.com/product/navigating-sexual-changes-due-to-menopause/
Title of Workshop: Anal Health and Anal Sex
Date: Sunday, July 19, 2026 | 9AM - 10:30AM ET, Online Synchronous
Presenters: Evan Goldstein, DO
Contact Name: Rachel Needle, PsyD
Telephone: 561-379-7207
Email: info@modernsextherapy.com
Link: https://modernsextherapyinstitutes.com/product/all-about-anal/
Title of Workshop: Still Wanting: Menopause, Infidelity, and the Evolving Erotic Self (Conference)
Date: Friday, September 25 & Saturday, September 26, 2026 | Live In-Person
Venue: Palm Beach County Convention Center | 650 Okeechobee Blvd, West Palm Beach, FL. 33401
Keynote Speakers: Dr. Alexandra Solomon, Dr. Marty Klein, Dr. Rachel Zar, and Amanda Ricker
Contact Name: Rachel Needle, PsyD
Telephone: 561-379-7207
Email: info@modernsextherapy.com
Link:https://modernsextherapyinstitutes.com/2026-conference/
Optimizing Sexual Experiences
Are you a therapist who works with individuals or couples distressed by low/no desire? Low/no sexual frequency? Couples distressed by sexual desire discrepancy? Are you interested in training to provide group therapy to enhance couples' sexual intimacy? Our team offers training for therapists working with sexual concerns based on our research on Optimal Sexual Experiences.
All group therapy sessions are to be conducted by two licensed mental health professionals, therefore, we require that you and your co-therapist be trained in unison. Training sessions will be limited to the first 6 pairs of therapists who register.
Dates: October 18-21, 2026, continuing December 6-9, 2026. Each set involves participation over 2 periods of Sunday-Wednesday afternoons. All conducted by online synchronous learning.
Deadline for Registration: July 31, 2026.
To begin the registration, and to ask any questions over email, please contact Carla Rosinski, Ph.D., at info@optimalsexualexperiences.com indicating your name, your co-therapist's name and your contact information. Please contact Peggy J. Kleinplatz, Ph.D., if you have any questions by phone at 613 563-0846 Monday- Friday, Noon-5:00 PM Eastern time.
This program meets the requirements for AASECT and CCPA and is approved for 30 credits. These CE credits may be applied toward AASECT Certification and renewal of certification. Completion of this program does not ensure or guarantee AASECT Certification. For further information please contact ce@aasect.org.
For more information and to see our recent publications please visit www.optimalsexualexperiences.com.
Hi Colleagues,
The 4th Cohort for Certification in Sensate Focus Touch is beginning August 20th. Classes are small to encourage individualized learning. Please contact me if you are interested and I will send a notice when registration begins.
Hope you can join us!
Many thanks
Linda Weiner
Linda Weiner, MSW, LCSW
Pronouns: She/Her
AASECT Certified Diplomate in Sex Therapy, Certified Supervisor and CE Provider
Owner, Sex Therapist St. Louis, LLC & Sensate Focus Touch, LLC
Book and Award
🏆Announcement of the Winner of the 2026 DSREI Book Awards 🏆
As Chair of the Diverse Sexualities Research and Education Institute (DSREI) Book Award Committee, it is my pleasure to announce the winner of the 2026 DSREI Book Award “Fundamental Concepts and Critical Developments in Sex Education: Intersectional and Trauma-Informed Approaches” (Routledge, 2026).
This anthology draws on a multiplicity of authoritative voices from across the field "centering queer and intersectional perspectives” to advance current thinking on sex education theory and practice. The field of sexuality education is navigating rapid social, political and scientific change. This book is both a timely intervention and a valuable resource, providing effective reference and educational tools for sexuality educators and emerging professionals.
On behalf of the DSREI Book Award Committee, congratulations to the editors, Reece M. Malone, DHS, MPH., Tracie Q. Gilbert, Ph.D., Catherine Dukes, Ph.D., LCSW., and Justine Ang Fonte, M.Ed, MPH!
Peggy J. Kleinplatz, Ph.D., Chair (613) 563-0846
Maura Devereux, P.A.-C.
Margie Nichols, Ph.D.
Anna Randall, Ph.D., M.P.H.
Joshua Yap, M.D.
📖Book launch 📖
Dear SSTAR members,
I hope you are well!
I’m writing to invite you to the virtual book launch of my new book, Come Closer!
The event is an hour-long conversation with psychoanalyst Adam Phillips, author Miranda July, comedian Gary Gulman, and musician Noga Erez.
Warmly,
Dr. Galit Atlas
🚨New book alert 🚨
Dear SSTAR members,
Sexuality after cancer remains a topic that is not well disseminated in mass media but is one that has profound effects on couples (and also single individuals!) in the aftermath of treatment.
There is a focus on the diagnosis and treatment of cancer but the lifelong sexual side effects remains under-discussed and survivors are very often left reeling with these and are not aware of where they can access help.
"Cancer, Sex and Intimacy: A Guide for Couples" presents examples of couples experiencing sexual and subsequent relationship challenges in an engaging and informative manner, highlighting evidence- and clinically-based suggestions for resolution.
Best,
Anne Katz
Thank you!
Dear SSTAR Community,
As we reflect on another inspiring Annual Meeting, we would like to extend our sincere gratitude to our Silver Sponsor, Sexual Health Alliance (SHA) (https://sexualhealthalliance.com/), for their support of this year's conference.
Sexual Health Alliance is dedicated to expanding access to high-quality education for professionals working in sexual health. Their commitment to advancing the field through professional certification, continuing education, and community building closely aligns with the values that guide our work.
It was wonderful to connect with so many colleagues, researchers, educators, and clinicians throughout the meeting. We hope you left inspired by the conversations, research, and relationships that make this community so special.
We also encourage you to learn more about Sexual Health Alliance and their annual conference, which brings together leading voices in sexual health, sex therapy, research, education, and clinical practice from around the world. Learn more about SHA's Annual Sexological Conference here (https://sexualhealthalliance.com/sha-annual-conference-2026).
Thank you again to the Sexual Health Alliance for their partnership and support of the sexual health field. Together, we continue to strengthen a community dedicated to advancing research, reducing stigma, improving access to care, and fostering the next generation of leaders in sexual health.
Warmly,
The SSTAR Board of Directors