| Happy October, fellow SSTARGazers! |
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This month, we’re excited to share upcoming conferences, training opportunities, a book award, and other announcements, 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! Submission email: Please send your content to communications@sstarnet.org with the subject line "SSTAR Monthly Announcements." Submissions are due no later than five days before the end of the month (e.g., by October 25 for inclusion in the November 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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| Conferences, Workshops, Training, and Professional Groups |
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Annual Sexological Conference – October 9–12, 2025 Join the Sexual Health Alliance for their 10th Anniversary celebration at the Annual Sexological Conference in Denver, Colorado. Featuring 40+ global experts, this four-day event offers cutting-edge education, networking with over 300 sexual health professionals, and a special anniversary masquerade party. AASECT and NBCC continuing education credits available. Learn more and register: https://sexualhealthalliance.com/annual-sexological-conference-2025 |
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We are excited to share a special invitation to the 2025 SASH Conference, which will be held virtually on Thursday, October 16 and Friday, October 17, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 6:30 PM Eastern each day. This year’s theme is Building Bridges to the Future, and we are bringing together leading voices in sexual and relational health for 12 hours of inspiring presentations and conversations. Our keynote, PSB, OCSB & You: Emerging Research and Clinical Implications, will feature a dynamic discussion between Michael Vigorito, President of SSTAR and Co-Author of Treating Out-of-Control Sexual Behavior: Rethinking Sex Addiction, and Dr. Shane Kraus, Director of the Behavioral Addictions Lab at the University of Nevada Las Vegas. You’ll also hear from the new SASH leadership, including an interactive panel with SASH board members focused on Bridging the World of Sexual and Relational Health. As part of our efforts to build bridges and foster collaboration with other organizations focused on sexual and relational health, we are pleased to extend a special discount code: SSTAR20. Registration rates with your discount are: - Professional Registration: $250 → With Discount: $200
- Student Registration: $200 → With Discount: $160
👉 [Click Here to Register] 👉 [Click Here to Visit the Conference Page] Please feel free to share this information with colleagues and within your community. We look forward to connecting with you at the 2025 SASH Conference and engaging in meaningful conversations about the future of sexual and relational health. Warmly, Laney -- Dr. Laney Knowlton (she/her/hers) LMFT-S, CSAT-S, CPTT-S, CCPS, CST, CCRDS-S, CCBRT, RAE President, Society for the Advancement of Sexual Health (SASH) |
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Upcoming MSTI presentations for October 2025 Title of Workshop: Reclaiming Pleasure: Helping clients move past sexual trauma to reclaim a passionate life Date: Friday, October 17, 2025 | 9am – 1pm EST, Online Synchronous Presenter: Holly Richmond, PhD, LMFT, CST Contact Name: Rachel Needle, Psy.D. Telephone: 561-379-7207 Email: admin@modernsextherapy.com Link: https://modernsextherapyinstitutes.com/product/reclaiming-pleasure-helping-clients-move-past-sexual-trauma-to-reclaim-a-passionate-life-4-ce-hours-2024/ Title of Workshop: Working with Trans and Nonbinary Survivors of Sexual Assault Date: Friday, October 17, 2025 | 2pm – 6pm EST, Online Synchronous Presenter: Emma J. Smith, LPC Contact Name: Rachel Needle, Psy.D. Telephone: 561-379-7207 Email: admin@modernsextherapy.com Link: https://modernsextherapyinstitutes.com/product/working-with-trans-and-non-binary-survivors-of-sexual-assault-4-ce-hours-2024/ Title of Workshop: Non-monogamy in Clinical Practice: Deconstructing misconceptions and biases and nurturing client success Date: Saturday, October 18, 2025 | 9am – 1pm EST, Online Synchronous Presenter: Rachel Wright, MA, LMFT Contact Name: Rachel Needle, Psy.D. Telephone: 561-379-7207 Email: admin@modernsextherapy.com Link: https://modernsextherapyinstitutes.com/product/non-monogamy-in-clinical-practice-deconstructing-misconceptions-and-biases-and-nurturing-client-success-4-ce-hours/ Title of Workshop: Sexual Attitude Reassessment (SAR) Date: Friday, October 24, 2025 9am – 5pm EST & Saturday, October 25, 2025 9am – 5pm EST | Online Synchronous Presenter: Multiple, TBD Contact Name: Rachel Needle, Psy.D. Telephone: 561-379-7207 Email: admin@modernsextherapy.com Link: https://modernsextherapyinstitutes.com/product/online-sar-sexual-attitude-reassessment-14-ce-hours-2024/ |
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Are you a clinician or 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 clinicians 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: November 16-19, 2025, continuing January 11-14, 2026. Each set involves participation over 2 periods of Sunday-Wednesday afternoons. All conducted by online synchronous learning. To begin the registration, and to ask any questions over email, please contact Ms. Jessica Valade 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. Although our next training is planned for the above dates, if these dates don’t work for you, please reach out to our research coordinator (info@optimalsexualexperiences.com) to indicate your interest and receive future training announcements. For more information and to see our recent publications please visit www.optimalsexualexperience.com |
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Sensate Focus Touch CERTIFICATION Program Hello Colleagues, The 2nd Cohort for the Sensate Focus Touch CERTIFICATION Program is now available! Whether you are a mental health or allied medical professional, Sensate Focus Touch is an evidenced-based adjunct to the work you do with clients/patients struggling with a lack of intimacy or sexual difficulties. Sign up now and let’s begin the journey to become certified in this foundational technique! Hoping to hear from you soon. Always the best, Linda Weiner, MSW, LCSW Register Now! Pay Now! |
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Online supervision group My next on-line supervision group will be on Saturday, October 25th, 2025 from 1:00 to 5:00 P.M. Eastern Time. My supervision groups fill up very quickly, and there is only One Space available… I bring three decades of experience as a supervisor, and as a therapist working with people with a variety of sexual and intimacy-related issues, including survivors and offenders of sexual trauma, LGBQ+, transgender persons, MAPs, Polyamorists, and Kinksters. Please pass the word around to all the sex therapists and counselors in the making, students, AASECT certified professionals, and anyone who is interested in receiving consultation on a difficult sex-therapy-related or intimacy-related case in an engaging and stimulating manner. Since I am an AASECT Certified Supervisor, every attendee will earn 4 hours of AASECT approved supervision which can be used for AASECT certification or as CEs for re-certification (for those who are already AASECT certified). I am also a certified supervisor by the International Association of Psychosexual Therapists (IAPST) and by the Integrative Sex Therapy Institute (ISTI). If you are interested in attending the on-line group supervision meeting, please let me know as soon as possible. This is an open group, so first come, first "serve." Wishing you a beautiful Fall, Hani. |
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20-week Certification Counselling Training Program Staff supporting LGBTQI2S communities often navigate complex client challenges involving mental health, substance use, trauma, and social stressors. Yet many frontline workers and peer staff have limited access to structured, practical counselling training that is trauma-informed, sex-positive, and gender-positive. That’s why we’re pleased to offer a free 20-week Certification Counselling Training Program for staff working in community organizations across Canada. Funded by Gilead and delivered entirely via Zoom, this cohort is offered at no cost to participants or their organizations. The program is led by the Sexual and Gender Minority Counselling Training Hub (SCTH) under the guidance of Dr. Trevor Hart and the HOPE Centre at Toronto Metropolitan University. 🧠 About the Training This 40-hour program prepares participants to earn the SCTH Counselling Certification through a hands-on, “learn by doing” approach. Participants rotate through the roles of: - Counsellor – to practice and master Motivational Interviewing (MI) and foundational skills
- Client – to explore the process and tools using real-life examples
- Coder – to provide structured feedback and ensure skill quality
🗓️ Training Dates· - Start Date: Tuesday, November 18, 2025 (large group session)
- End Date: Thursday, April 16, 2026 (final small group session)
- Holiday Break: No training December 23, 2025 – January 1, 2026
- Training resumes: January 6, 2026
🧩 Training StructureWeeks Focus Week 1 Large group introduction to core content, tools & process Weeks 2–20 Learn by doing: Weekly small group training in groups of 6 (Tues, Wed, or Thurs) focused on: - Foundational counselling skills
- Motivational Interviewing skills (basic & advanced)
- Five structured counselling tools
- Quality assurance via peer feedback
📆 Weekly Training Sessions (Zoom Only) All sessions are 2 hours, held on Zoom, and participants are assigned to one consistent weekly group. 🎓 Certification Objectives Graduates will be able to: - Demonstrate core foundational counselling skills
- Apply basic and advanced Motivational Interviewing techniques
- Integrate five structured SCTH counselling tools into real-world practice
- Deliver, receive, and code counselling sessions with peer-reviewed feedback
- Support clients in clarifying, planning, and implementing meaningful changes
🎯 Who Should Apply? This training is ideal for: - Frontline staff or peers in organizations serving LGBTQI2S clients
- Workers supporting clients with complex mental health, substance use, or life challenges
- Individuals ready to learn and apply evidence-based counselling practices
✨ Why Participate? By enrolling in this program, your organization will: - Build in-house counselling capacity
- Strengthen support services for LGBTQI2S communities
- Deliver high-quality, affirming, trauma-informed care
🧑🏫 Our Team & Supervision This program is led by Dr. Carmine Malfitano and Scott Simpson (CWC) under the guidance of Dr. Trevor Hart and the HOPE Centre at Toronto Metropolitan University. 📝 How to Apply Due to limited capacity (18 participants), Zoom intake interviews will be scheduled to ensure a good match. 📧 To express interest and schedule your interview, please email: GayCounsellingTrainingHub@gmail.com Please include: - Your name
- Your role and organization
- A short note about your interest
🗓️ Deadline to register: Friday, October 17, 2025 Please feel free to share this invitation with staff teams or networks. We’d be happy to answer any questions or discuss how this opportunity might benefit your organization. Warm regards, Scott Simpson (CWC) & Carmine Malfitano (PhD) Co-Leads, Sexual and Gender Minority Counselling Training Hub (SCTH) In partnership with the HOPE Centre at Toronto Metropolitan University |
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2026 Diverse Sexualities Research and Education Institute Book Award Competition The Diverse Sexualities Research and Education Institute (DSREI) is pleased to announce the 2026 Diverse Sexualities Book Award competition, nominations are being invited now. The goal of the award is to recognize the best recent book that contributes to the understanding of Diverse Sexualities (sexual identities, sexual orientations, sexual behaviors, sexual interests, gender identities, gender orientations, gender expressions, relationship identities, relationship orientations, and relationship structures not accepted by the dominant culture). The award will be announced July 24th, 2026. Please feel free to forward this notice copying the DSREInstitute@gmail.com Please check out our website https://dsrei.org Eligibility Criteria 1. Content of the book must be related to Diverse Sexualities 2. The book must be in English and must have been published in the years 2023, 2024, or 2025. It may have multiple authors or be an edited work. Previously submitted books are eligible. 3. Authors or publishers are required to send five copies of the book for review to the members of the Book Awards Selection Committee of the Diverse Sexualities Research and Education Institute. 4. For further details see the information below. For questions, please contact Peggy J. Kleinplatz, PhD, Chair of the DSREI Book Award committee at (613) 563-0846 - not via email. How to Nominate a Book 1. Nominations for the DSREI Book Award may come from any individual, organization, or publisher. 2. The deadline for submitting nominations is January 1, 2026. 3. Nominations should be sent to: Peggy J. Kleinplatz, PhD, Chair, Book Award Selection Committee Diverse Sexualities Research and Education Institute at DSREInstitute@gmail.com or contact us through the dsrei.org site (https://dsrei.org/contact-us/ ). The books should be sent directly to the members of the Awards Selection Committee. The addresses are available by phoning Peggy J. Kleinplatz, Ph.D. at (613) 563-0846. 1. THE AWARDS Diverse Sexualities Research and Education Institute (DSREI) has established a book award to be given to the author(s) or editor(s) of the best books published in English related to the understanding Diverse Sexualities: At DSREI's discretion two awards may be given, one for books addressed to the public and the other for books addressed to professionals (Educators, Researchers, or Clinicians). Nominations for the DSREI Book Award should be made to the Chair who will then transmit the information to the appropriate committee members (see below). The award winners (including multiple authors or each of the editors of an edited book where there is more than one editor) will each receive a plaque and their names will be listed on the DSREI website. There will be no monetary award. 2. FREQUENCY The award will be given every two years. 3. THE SELECTION COMMITTEE The members of the selection committee will be chosen by the DSREI Book Award chair in consultation with the DSREI Board of Directors. If a member of the DSREI Book Award committee has published a book that is being considered by the committee or has any potential conflict of interest, that person will not participate in any deliberations concerning that book. 4. ELEGIBILITY CRITERIA 1. Content of the books must be related to the understanding of Diverse Sexualities. 2. Books must have been published in the calendar years 2023, 2024, or 2025. 3. Books must be in English but may have been translated from another language. 4. Collections of previously published works would not be eligible. 5. Authors/editors are eligible regardless of having previously won another book award. 6. Books must be readily available from bookstores, public libraries, or university presses. Self-published books will not be eligible. 7. The decision of the selection committee as to whether a book is eligible shall be binding. 5. CONDITIONS OF THE PRIZES 1. Any eligible book which is nominated for a DSREI Book Award shall not qualify unless the publisher or author(s)/editor(s) agrees to provide up to five copies of the book to DSREI at no cost for each member of the selection committee. 2. The publisher must agree to include in any advertising for the book that it has been awarded the DSREI Book Award, for the given year. 6. SUBMISSION PROCEDURES AND DEADLINES: 1. Books received after the final deadline of January 1, 2026, will not be eligible. 2. Receipt of submissions will be acknowledged in writing by DSREI. 3. Submitted books will not be returned and will remain the property of the reviewers. 7. FINALISTS 1. Up to five books nominated (in each category, if both popular and professional book awards are conferred) will be noted as Honorable Mentions as well as the winner(s) of the DSREI Book Award. The Award will be announced July 24, 2026 on the DSREI.org website. Publicity directed towards the public and organizations of sexuality professionals, announcing the winners of the DSREI Book Awards will be the responsibility of DSREI. 2. The selection committee will consider the shortlists and the winners in private deliberations. Publishers, authors, and editors should be aware that they will receive no advance notice of the finalists or the winners. _________________________________________ DSREI Book Award Committee Peggy J. Kleinplatz, Ph.D., Chair (613) 563-0846 Maura Devereux, PA-C Joshua Yap, M.D. Anna Randall, MSW, MPH, DHS Margie Nichols, Ph.D. |
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