Think you might like to pursue a career in Sex Therapy AND LGBTQIA+ Therapy? Want to learn more about what it’s like to work in these fields?

Dr Sarah Ashton (Psychologist, Director & Founder of SHIPS), Dr Chris Cheers and Javiera Dastres are delighted to invite you to SHIPS' most popular annual event.

Think you might like to pursue a career in Sex Therapy and LGBTQIA+ Therapy? Want to learn more about what it is really like to work in these fields? Or just starting out and not sure what pathway to take? Then our 'How to start your career in Sex & LGBTQIA+ Therapy' event is for you!

The evening will feature a panel discussion with SHIPS psychologists Dr Chris Cheers, Dr Sarah Ashton and Javiera Dastres who will be able to answer your questions and share advice based on a wealth of individual and combined experience.

General topics to be covered by the panel:

• Different education & experience pathway options

• What skills SHIPS looks for when hiring

• The complexities of working in the sexual health space (personal & professional)

• What a day in the life of a sexual health psychologist looks like

We will provide a discount code for our SHIPS Training Community courses for those in attendance - view our course range here.

Spaces are limited so don't miss out!

About the panellists

Dr Sarah Ashton is the Founder and Director of SHIPS, and its partner company, Sexual Health and Intimacy Psychological Training, for which she is Lead Training Author. Sarah is a highly experienced registered psychologist (AHPRA) and board approved supervisor (AHPRA) as well as member of the Society of Australian Sexologists. Sarah is the Coordinator of the MHPN Sexual and Mental Health Primary Health Network. She is a lecturer and academic at RMIT and Deakin University and has recently co-authored Deakin's first Sex and Sexuality Unit.

Dr Chris Cheers is a registered psychologist, educator and author (The New Rulebook: notes from a psychologist to help redefine the way you live). He is a member of the Australian Professional Association for Transgender Health (AusPATH) and is passionate about providing respectful and affirming non-judgemental services to all members of the trans and gender-diverse community. By applying his lived experiences as a queerman and worker in the Arts, Chris is also proud to offer specialised care to members of the LGBTIQA+ and Arts communities.

Javiera Dastres is SHIPS’ Psychologist Manager, and is a registered psychologist (AHPRA) and board approved supervisor (AHPRA). Javiera has experience providing psychological services and supervision in correctional, community and private practice settings, and she has completed a Master of Science in Medicine (Sexual and Reproductive Health) in Psychosexual Therapy. Javiera has extensive experience working with members of LGBTQIA+ communities, as well as people in non-monogamous relationships. Her experience also includes developing a pilot program for pre-teens and adolescents on sexual education, consent and healthy relationships.

This interactive, skills-based workshop will give you the opportunity to deep dive into the complexity of your therapeutic work with sexual issues. Share and explore your own case studies in a peer-led environment, guided by Dr Sarah Ashton. Apply evidence-based frameworks and sexual theories to your practice through experiential exercises in a supportive learning environment. 

The day will start with a recap/brief overview of sexual function, sexual scripts, sex and gender core beliefs and an outline of assessment, formulation and treatment planning for sexual issues. You will then have the opportunity to practise the application of these frameworks to your client work through facilitated discussion, activities and mini peer workshops. 

The second part of the day will be dedicated to exploring ‘self’ in practice. We will explore common countertransference experiences when talking about sexual issues, and you will have the opportunity to discuss experiences relevant to you and your work. Learn how to hold difficult spaces in a therapy room while looking after yourself.  

This workshop offers the vital opportunity to hear from peers about their experiences. This is an important part of learning as it normalises the humanity in our work and minimises our feeling of isolation in the difficult emotional spaces we hold. Sex therapy can involve complexity, shame and trauma (because of our cultural shame and attitudes towards sex) and feeling connected to a supportive community is key to sustainable, enjoyable work. Let's come together to support each other. 

Learning objectives:

• Receive peer supervision on your client work - walk away with a clear plan for assessment and treatment of sexual issues

• Normalise your imposter syndrome 

• Share and understand the human responses that are part of being a therapist treating sexual issues

• Learn how to ask about sex during the initial stages of therapy and how to respond to your own anxieties or bias

• Understand sexual function theories, sex and gender scripts & core beliefs and bio-psycho-social factors that influence sex and sexuality

• Understand how to assess sexual issues

• Understand how to formulate sexual issues within the context of the clients broader psychology

• Understand how evidence-based frameworks (e.g., CBT, Mindfulness, Schema Therapy, IFS, EMDR) can be used to treat sexual issues

• Understand how to manage countertransference regarding sexual issues 

When: Saturday 18 November, 9 am - 5 pm 

Where: Roxy’s Unique Functions & Events - 2 Alfred Pl, South Melbourne VIC 3205

Cost: 

$200 professional 

$150 students or individuals facing social or financial challenges * 

*No explanation needed - we trust you to make this call. 

Tickets are non-refundable

What will be provided:

• Lunch & snacks

• Copies of slides and case studies  

Suitable for: 

• Students

• Sexologists

• Psychologists

• Social workers

• Counsellors 

• Nurses

• Psychiatrists

• Sex therapists

• Students undertaking education in all of the above

Level of experience required:

• Undertaking or completions in psychology or the above disciplines 

• No experience with sexual therapy necessary

About the presenter:

Sarah (she/her) is the Director and Founder of the first psychology practice dedicated to sexual health treatment – SHIPS and is the Founder and Lead Training Author of Sexual Health and Intimacy Psychological Training. Sarah is a registered psychologist (AHPRA), board approved supervisor (AHPRA), member of the Society of Australian Sexologists and has worked with clients in the sexual health field for over 15 years. She is the Coordinator for the Sexual and Mental Health Primay Health Network, and a Sessional Lecturer at RMIT University. She is a published researcher in The Journal of Sex Research, Porn Studies, Feminism & Psychology, and has written articles for The Conversation and Red Magazine. Sarah has been a guest speaker on Joy FM and ABC radio. Sarah brings a warm, down-to-earth, compassionate approach to therapy and leading her practice. She loves what she does and wants to share this important area of knowledge with emerging and established practitioners.

FAQs 

How is this different from the SHIPS online training ?

This is practice-based training (rather than content based). This workshop is focused on applying the content from online training (which is also briefly refreshed in this training) to your client work, and yourself. You will have the opportunity to workshop clients issues and practice skills with peers. 

What if I don’t have any cases/client work to share yet?

You are welcome to listen and offer your perspective of other people’s cases. Sharing client work is not necessary for participation. 

Is this event being recorded? 

No. This is a live, experiential event.

Have you thought about a career in Psychology or Sex Therapy?

Dr Sarah Ashton (Psychologist, Director & Founder of SHIPS) and her team are delighted to invite you to what is fast becoming one of SHIPS staple events. This time, in person!

Think you might like to pursue a career in sex therapy or psychology?  Want to learn more about what it is really like to work in the field? Or just starting out and not sure what pathway to take?

Then this is for you!

Join us at Level 3, 169-171 Victoria Parade Fitzroy, VIC. On Thursday the 27th of April at 6 pm.

We are here to answer all of your questions and share our advice.

Find out:

• Different education and experience pathway options

• What skills Sarah looks for when hiring

• The complexities of working in the sexual health space (personal and professional)

• What a day in the life of a sexual health psychologist looks like

The style will be an interactive QnA, so make sure you bring all your burning questions with you. 

We will also provide a discount code for our online courses for those in attendance.

Register for the event on Eventbrite when tickets become available. You will receive an order confirmation email, and a reminder email before the event starts once purchased.

Spaces are limited, so don't miss out!

We look forward to seeing you on the night.

Our first in person training day!

This one-day interactive course will give you an overview of evidence-based, trauma-informed skills and frameworks for the psychological treatment of sexual issues. We will overview theories of sexual function, sexual scripts, sex and gender core beliefs and outline the process to develop a formulation and treatment plan.  Common countertransference experiences when talking about sexual issues will be explored as well as how to manage your internal experience in the therapy room. 

We will also overview theory and treatment for some of the the most common presenting issues including: sexual pain (dyspareunia), erectile difficulties, difficulties with orgasm (anorgasmia) addictions, and sexual trauma. 

The second half of the day will involve interactive exercises and case studies to help practice developing formulation and treatment plans.

Learning objectives:

• Understand how to assess sexual issues

• Understand how to raise the topic of sex sensitively with your clients 

• Understand how to formulate sexual issues within the context of the client’s broader psychology 

• Understand how evidence-based frameworks (Eg. CBT, Mindfulness, Schema Therapy) can be used to treat sexual issues

• Understand how to manage countertransference regarding sexual issues

Price: 

$400 professional, $350 students 

(We want to make training accessible to those who would like to attend, so please contact us if would like to discuss your circumstance and a concession rate)

CPD hours: 7

What will be provided:

• Lunch & snacks

• Copies of slides and case studies  

Suitable for:

• Psychologists

• Social workers

• Counsellors

• Nurses

• Psychiatrists

• Sex therapists

• Students undertaking education in all of the above

Level of experience required:

• Undertaking or completed qualifications in psychology or above disciplines

• No experience with sexual therapy necessary

Have you ever thought about a career in sex therapy or psychology?

Dr Sarah Ashton (Psychologist, Director & Founder of SHIPS) and her team are delighted to invite you to what is fast becoming one of SHIPS staple events. This time, in person!

Think you might like to pursue a career in sex therapy or psychology?  Want to learn more about what it is really like to work in the field? Or just starting out and not sure what pathway to take?

Then this is for you!

Join us at Level 3, 169-171 Victoria Parade Fitzroy, VIC. On the 16th of June at 6 pm.

We are here to answer all of your questions and share our advice.

Find out:

• Different education and experience pathway options

• What skills Sarah looks for when hiring

• The complexities of working in the sexual health space (personal and professional)

• What a day in the life of a sexual health psychologist looks like

The style will be an interactive QnA, so make sure you bring all your burning questions with you. 

We will also provide a discount code for our online courses for those in attendance.

Register for the event on Eventbrite. You will receive an order confirmation email, and a reminder email before the event starts once purchased.

Spaces are limited, so don't miss out!

We look forward to seeing you on the night.

Combining lived experience with research, clinical experience and industry-leading practice, SHIPS brings you Sex-Work Inclusive Practice Training. 

Inclusive practice incorporates continual self reflection and knowledge gathering, this training offers the opportunity for both. Together, let’s raise the bar for healthcare and set the precedent for exceptional, informed psychological treatment. 

Sex workers experience stigma, discrimination and marginalisation because of our social norms and unhelpful beliefs about sex and sexual expression. As psychologists, we have a valuable opportunity to support and process these experiences and create a safe space for healing and turning inward. 

Pro dominatrix Mistress Tokyo (She/her), and sex worker Sai Jaiden Lillith (They/them), will generously share with you their experience with mental health services and their thoughts about what psychologists need to know to create a safe and inclusive therapeutic experience.

Dr Sarah Ashton (She/her), psychologist and the Director and Founder of SHIPS will share her clinical and industry experience. Sarah will overview inclusive practice principles, explain how to reflect on countertransference when working with sex workers, and outline typical areas for clinical support specific to working with sex workers.

Overview of event:

• Speaker introduction 

• Overview of sex work

• Sex work laws

• Marginalisation & discrimination

• Principles of inclusive practice

• Countertransference reflections

• What sex workers need from therapists

• Area of support specific to sex workers

Event info:

Date: Thursday 26 May 2022

Time: 6pm-9pm (Melbourne)

Location: Online

Ticket:

Professionals $85.49

Students: $64.39

Presenter bios: 

Mistress Tokyo (She/her) @mistresstokyo

Mistress Tokyo is a Dominatrix based in Sydney. She is a white, cis-gendered woman, and queer person; her pronouns are she/her/hers.  She has 21yrs experience in professional BDSM, with 14 years as an independent Pro Domme, in her own world-class studio. She’s also an internationally recognised kink educator, performer and a current student of Psychology and Counseling.

Sai Jaiden Lillith (They/them) @jaidenlillith

Sai Jaiden Lillith is a non-binary AMAB sex worker, musician and Shibari performer/practitioner who has been working in the sex industry for six years. They provide professional kink and full service escort experiences, education, create erotic art, writing and music in their band ZCluster. They have also been a BDSM/sex event organiser and have worked to create safe spaces for the kink community. They have a strong commitment to providing an ethical, consensual, safe & accepting container for exploring eroticism incorporating elements of Tantra, sex, ritual and BDSM. Sai is a fierce activist and advocate for erotic exploration and the decriminalisation & destigmatisation of sex work.

Dr Sarah Ashton (She/her) @shipspsychology 

Dr Sarah Ashton (She/her) is the Director and Founder of Sexual Health and Intimacy Psychological Services (SHIPS). SHIPS promotes diversity and inclusion of marginalised communities and is the industry leader for providing evidence-based, trauma-informed psychological treatment for sexual health and intimacy. She is a registered psychologist, board approved supervisor, Member of the Society of Australian Sexologists and the Coordinator for the Victorian Sexual and Mental Health Network. Dr Ashton has published sex research in Journal of Sex Research, Feminism and Psychology, and Porn Studies. Dr Ashton has developed psychology & sex therapy skills-based online training and workshops for practitioners and students. She is passionate about facilitating community engagement and challenging public discourse around sex and sexuality and regularly writes articles for The Conversation and RED magazine and has been a guest speaker on Joy FM, ABC radio and Triple J. 

We look forward to seeing you on the night.

A Collective Exploration

Power. Purpose. Permission. People. Problems. Pleasure.

Virtual Workshop + Panel Discussion

Hosted by Modern Intimacy, including guest panelist Dr. Sarah Ashton (Director & Founder, SHIPS Psychology) + many other incredible experts and advocates.

Sunday, January 30, 2022

8:00 - 11:00 AM AEST (1:00 - 4:00 PM Pacific Time) 

Join Dr. Kate Balestrieri, Founder of Modern Intimacy, and a robust panel of incredible women in the fields of sexual health, mental health, and sexual education for an empowering virtual workshop.

Panelists will share their knowledge, lived experience, and perspectives on the unique relationship women have with sex.

Participants are invited to examine the optics discussed for themselves, ask questions, and take part in various embodiment exercises and small group break out discussions.

During the workshop, myriad topics will be covered, related to sexuality and the individual, relationships and society.

Join us to think deeply about the many dimensions of sex, and to redefine and reclaim an empowered, embodied and intentional relationship with your own sexuality.

This workshop is open to anyone and everyone who identifies as a woman.

Sex Positive Panelists

COVID-19 has created countless barriers to work and the regulation of online spaces has presented unique challenges for the sex worker community.

Dr. Sarah Ashton will host a panel discussion with Sai Jaidan Lillith and Mistress Tokyo to explore:

• How sex work has changed during the pandemic

• What has been the industry response?

• How this impacts wellbeing and sustainability for work

• Are there some changes that will remain?

Register for free via Eventbrite

You are welcome to send questions through to socialmedia@shipspsychology.com.au before the event so we can incorporate this into the content we cover!

OUR SPEAKERS

Dr Sarah Ashton (She/her), Director & Founder of SHIPS Psychology

Dr. Sarah Ashton is a registered psychologist and member of the Society of Australian Sexologists, and has worked with clients in the sexual health field for over 12 years. She is a published researcher in The Journal of Sex Research, Porn Studies, Feminism & Psychology, and has written articles for The Conversation and Red Magazine.

Mistress Tokyo (She/her) @mistresstokyo

Mistress Tokyo is a Dominatrix based in Sydney. She is a white, cis-gendered woman, and queer person; her pronouns are she/her/hers.  She has 21yrs experience in professional BDSM, with 14 years as an independent Pro Domme, in her own world-class studio. She’s also an internationally recognized kink educator, performer and a current student of Psychology and Counselling.

Sai Jaidan Lillith (They/them) @jaidanlillith

Sai Jaiden Lillith is a non-binary AMAB sex worker who has been working in the sex industry for six years and sees clients of all genders and orientations. They provide professional kink and full service escort experiences, education, create porn, erotic art, writing and music in their band ZCluster. A passionate Shibari (Japanese Rope bondage) practitioner, performer and Kink/BDSM educator, Sai has presented and performed at events such as OzKinkFest & Sexpo.

Date to be determined.

More information coming soon.

Dr. Sarah Ashton will be joining Dr. Kate Balestrieri for an online event exploring why having sex with people who are bad for us can feel so good.

Register for free via Eventbrite!

Topics covered include:

• How early relationship/attachment experience shape our attraction/patterns in relationships

• Contextual factors that influence attraction (and how this can be different from relationship compatibility)

• Neurochemical rewards for risky/taboo behavior

• The influence of trauma bonding

• Different motivators for sex - eg. emotional coping, drawing someone closer, pushing them away

You are welcome to send questions through to socialmedia@shipspsychology.com.au before the event so we can incorporate this into the content we cover!

OUR SPEAKERS

Dr. Sarah Ashton is a registered Psychologist (AHPRA), Director & Founder of SHIPS, researcher and member of the Society of Australian Sexologists (SAS). Sarah's goal is to publicly normalise and unravel the painful and human experiences or disconnection, trauma and internalised shame, in addition to creating inclusive therapeutic spaces for marginalised communities.

Dr. Kate Balestrieri is a licensed Psychologist (Clinical and Forensic), certified Sex Therapist, certified Sex Addiction Therapist, and PACT II trained couples’ therapist in Beverley Hills. Founder of Modern Intimacy with over 14 years of clinical experience, she is a passionate advocate for mental and sexual health, with a keen interest in the interplay between anger, money and sex.

What role should solo sexual experiences play in a relationship?

If your partner watches porn is it cheating?

Does solo masturbation make sex better?

We discuss all of this and more in our live event!

About this Event

A Q&A with Dr Sarah Ashton & Dr Kate Balestrieri on: solo sexual pleasure in a relationship.

Dr Sarah Ashton (Psychologist, Director & Founder of SHIPS) will be joining Dr Kate Balestrieri on an Instagram Live QnA. Kate is a licensed Psychologist (Clinical and Forensic), certified Sex Therapist, certified Sex Addiction Therapist, and PACT II trained couples’ therapist in Beverley Hills. Founder of Modern Intimacy with over 14 years of clinical experience, she is a passionate advocate for mental and sexual health, with a keen interest in the interplay between anger, money and sex.

Join us via Instagram @themodernintimacy on the 11th of March 1-2pm AEST. 

The style will be an interactive QnA. We invite you to send in questions to our instagram prior to the event.

Have you ever thought about a career in psychology / sex therapy? Dr Sarah Ashton and Dr Chris Fox will answer all your questions!

About this Event

Dr Sarah Ashton (Psychologist, Director & Founder of SHIPS) and Meghan Wright (Social Media Coordinator) are delighted to be hosting this event with Dr Chris Fox. Chris is a psychosexual and relationship therapist, the founder and director of private practice Sex Life, and the Psychosexual Therapy Pathway Coordinator for the Postgraduate Program in Sexual and Reproductive Health at Sydney Uni.

Join us via Zoom on Tuesday the 23rd of Feb 6:30-7:30pm AEST. 

Sarah and Chris will share advice about:

• Different education and experience pathways

• What Chris looks for when accepting people into his degree

• What skills they both look for when hiring

• The complexities of working in the sexual health space (personal and professional)

• What a day in the life of a sexual health psychologist looks like

The style will be an interactive QnA. We invite you to send in questions to our instagram prior to the event.

We will also provide a discount code to our online courses (Introduction to Sex Therapy) for those in attendance. 

BYO snack (we recommend MnM pretzels) and drink!

To receive your FREE ticket and Zoom link: register for the event on Eventbrite by clicking here!

Have you ever thought about a career in sex therapy / psychology?

Dr Sarah Ashton (Psychologist, Director & Founder of SHIPS) and Meghan Wright (Social Media Coordinator) are delighted to invite you to our first online event to answer all your questions!

Join us via Zoom on Tuesday the 16th of Nov @ 6:30-7:30 pm AEST.

Sarah will share advice about:

• Different education and experience pathways

• What skills she looks for when hiring

• The complexities of working in the sexual health space (personal and professional)

• What a day in the life of a sexual health psychologist looks like

The style will be an interactive QnA. We invite you to send in questions to our instagram prior to the event. We will also provide a discount code to our online courses (Introduction to Sex Therapy) for those in attendence. To receive your FREE ticket and Zoom link: register for the event on eventbrite. You will also see in your order confirmation email, and in a reminder email before the event starts the link to the zoom.

Have you ever thought about a career in sex therapy / psychology?

Dr Sarah Ashton (Psychologist, Director & Founder of SHIPS) and Meghan Wright (Social Media Coordinator) are delighted to invite you to our first online event to answer all your questions!

Join us via Zoom on Tuesday the 8th of September @ 6-7 pm AEST.

Sarah will share advice about:

1. Different education and experience pathways

2. What skills she looks for when hiring

3. The complexities of working in the sexual health space (personal and professional)

4. What a day in the life of a sexual health psychologist looks like

The style will be an interactive QnA. We invite you to send in questions to our instagram prior to the event. We will also provide a discount code to our online courses (Introduction to Sex Therapy) for those in attendence.

To receive your FREE ticket and Zoom link: register for the event on eventbrite. You will also see in your order confirmation email, and in a reminder email before the event starts the link to the zoom.

Dr Sarah Ashton (Psychologist, Director & Founder of SHIPS) and Jasmin Quinsee (Psychologist and Relationship Therapist) will share expert advice on how to have better conversation about sex with your partner/s.

Learn how to build a shared understanding of likes and desires and increase intimacy through effective and collaborative communication. We will provide practical examples, and conversation frameworks for you and your partner/s in this discussion-based workshop.

Please note, no personal disclosure will be necessary to participate in this workshop. A question box will be rotated so you can ask questions anonymously. Please let us know ahead of time if there is anything we can do to make the workshop a safer space for you - info@shipspsychology.com.au Tickets strictly limited - Don't miss out!

Practicing mindfulness has many emotional, social, and neurological benefits.