**** May eNewsletter ****
Happy May, fellow SSTARGazers!
This month, we’re excited to share new SSTARBurst videos, as well as upcoming training opportunities and conferences—please see the details below. We’re especially looking forward to seeing many of you soon at the Vancouver conference; it’s always a highlight to connect in person and share ideas with this community.
I’d also like to take a moment to introduce myself—this is my first month serving as Interim Communications Chair. I’m very glad to step into this role and look forward to staying connected with you and helping share the important work happening across SSTAR.
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 May 20 for inclusion in the June 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,
Marie-Michèle Paquette, Ph. D.
Interim Communications Officer
| SSTARBurst |
Dear SSTAR Members, I'm so excited to share this month’s SSTARburst, this time featuring a powerful, quite personal, and inspiring interview with long-time SSTAR member and former SSTAR president, Dr. Bonnie Saks! Hear what she has to say about:
It's a fantastic, heartfelt interview that I hope you'll enjoy. Click on the 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), Dr. Marie-Michèle Paquette (https://youtu.be/kduhoO9p1kE), and Dr. Lyne Piché (https://youtu.be/8kU4GAtxnnA?si=_r4HAUlCBc2zBPfD) check them out. 
Wishing you a good month until next time! Warmly,
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| Conferences, Workshops, Training, and Professional Groups |
Title of Workshop: Online SAR: Sexual Attitude Reassessment Date: Friday, May 1, & Saturday, May 2, 2026 | 9AM - 5PM ET, Online Synchronous Presenters: Dr. Ricky Siegel, Dr. Larry Siegel, and more! Contact Name: Rachel Needle, PsyD Telephone: 561-379-7207 Email: info@modernsextherapy.com   |
Title of Workshop: Integrating GSRD (Gender, Sexuality, and Relationship Diversity) Therapy: 7 Components Date: Friday, May 15, 2026 | 9AM - 11AM ET, Online Synchronous or Available asynchronously after the live event Presenters: Silva Neves, AccCOSRT, AccCOSRT(Sup), UKCP, MNCS(Accred), MBACP, AGSRDT Contact Name: Rachel Needle, PsyD Telephone: 561-379-7207 Email: info@modernsextherapy.com Link: https://modernsextherapyinstitutes.com/product/integrating-gsrd-gender-sexuality-and-relationship-diversity-therapy-7-components/  |
Title of Workshop: The Ace in the Hole: Working with asexualities Date: Friday, May 15, 2026 | 11:10AM - 1:10PM ET, Online Synchronous or Available asynchronously after the live event Presenters: Chant Malan, MSocSci, HPCSA - Couns. Psych. Contact Name: Rachel Needle, PsyD Telephone: 561-379-7207 Email: info@modernsextherapy.com Link: https://modernsextherapyinstitutes.com/product/the-ace-in-the-hole-working-with-asexualities/  |
Title of Workshop: Lesbian Sex Therapy Date: Saturday, May 16, 2026 | 11:10AM - 1:10PM ET, Online Synchronous or Available asynchronously after the live event Presenters: Jenna McCaffrey Contact Name: Rachel Needle, PsyD Telephone: 561-379-7207 Email: info@modernsextherapy.com Link: https://modernsextherapyinstitutes.com/product/lesbian-and-sex-therapy/  |
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.
We look forward to hearing from you!  |
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:
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 award |
Dear SSTAR members, Dr. Lyne Piché and Dr. Anton Schweighoer were awarded the 2026 Significant Contribution Award for the Criminal Justice Section of the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA). This award is to recognize the significant contribution to your field, culminating in your leadership on the recently published book, “Working with Offenders who View Online Child Sexual Exploitation Images.” Congratulations! 
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, 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!!