February 2012 contempora ry Vol. 46, No. 2 American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists sexua lity The international resource for educators, researchers and therapists In this issue ... A noxious cocktail News of ’m more likely to prac - To Braun-Harvey, that Members ...... 2 tice risky sex under the When booze, drugs seemed misguided. The aim of Klein’s new book to “I influence of my pri - and sex are mixed substance abuse treatment be published this mary substance of abuse.” centers is to help people end month In a 2002 study of former their addiction to drugs President’s Letter . . . 3 drug and alcohol abusers — by Richard Rawson, and/or alcohol. Preventing them from accessing AASECT strategic PhD, a University of California, Los Angeles pro - recovery counseling for questionable reasons planning focuses on fessor — more than one-half of methampheta - didn’t seem like the right thing to do. serving members mine users agreed with this statement. So did 42 “When consensual sexual behavior happens percent of those addicted to alcohol. between adults, how do we have more reasonable Quick Hits: Yet most substance abuse treatment centers approaches to normal human behavior so people Sex in the News . . . 6 shy away from discussing connections between can get life-saving treatment?” Braun-Harvey CDC surveys sexual behavior and addiction. says. “They shouldn’t lose life-saving treatment Americans on “The drug and alcohol treatment field has sexual violence always avoided sex as much as possible — continued on page 4 except to describe it as a danger to sobriety,” writes Marty Klein, PhD, an AASECT-. “The result has been a self-fulfill - ing prophecy; unprepared to deal with sexuality without drugs or alcohol, sex has been the focus of a lot of relapse and self-destructive behavior for people in recovery.” Doug Braun-Harvey, MFT, an AASECT-cer - tified sex therapist, is one of several profession - als pushing treatment centers to begin address - ing sexuality and its role in recovery. He’s writ - Member Spotlight . . 8 ten two books on the topic: Sexual Health in Linda De Villers of Recovery: A Professional Counselor’s Manual Marina del Rey, (Springer, 2011) and Sexual Health in Drug and Calif. Alcohol Treatment: Group Facilitator’s Manual (Springer, 2009). Educational The topic first piqued Braun-Harvey’s inter - Opportunities . . . 11 est 10 years ago. While chatting with a friend at Colorado SAR with a party, he learned that a local substance abuse Stayton and Skyler treatment center didn’t tolerate consensual sexu - on Feb. 25 –26 al activity among clients. “Doug, I need your help,” his friend said. “We keep kicking people out of our drug and alcohol program for their sexual behavior.” Braun-Harvey examined the issue and found the practice was commonplace. Most American treatment centers routinely punished or evicted res - idents who engaged in consensual sexual activity. Doug Braun-Harvey News of Members contempora ry

nn M. McNeil , LCSW, CST, is now certificated in sexua lity Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Founder Patricia Schiller, MA, JD A(EMDR), a method to help patients with trauma. AASECT Board of Directors Timothy Perper and Martha Cornog announce their new President William W. Finger, PhD book Mangatopia: Essays on Manga and Anime in the President Elect Michele Sugg, MSW, LCSW, CST Modern World , which is being published by Libraries Secretary Richard Siegel, MS, LMHC, CST Treasurer Debra W. Haffner, MPH, MDiv Unlimited. The book includes a chapter on sexually-explicit Membership Steering Chair Stephanie Buehler, MPW, PsyD, CST manga drawn for women by Kinko Ito. Certification Steering Chair Erika Pluhar, PhD, EdS Marty Klein , PhD, announces his seventh book will be Outreach Steering Chair Sabitha Pillai-Friedman, MSW, PhD published this month by HarperCollins. Titled Sexual Public Relations, Media & Advocacy Steering Committee Michael McGee, MEd Intelligence: What We Really Want From Sex, And How to Professional Education Steering Don Dyson, PhD Get It , it carries jacket quotes from Esther Perel, Paul Committee Chair Joannides, Ian Kerner and other professionals. Communications Steering Chai r Wayne Pawlowski, ACSW, LICSW Maria Papachrysanthou Hanzlik , PsyD, is now licensed Immediate Past President Helen “Ginger” Bush, MSW as a psychologist in both Pennsylvania and Indiana. Regional Representatives News of Members is a regular column in this publica - Eastern Region Linda Lotz, MSW, PhD tion. Please submit a brief account of your professional or Mid-Continent Region Joe Kort, PhD, LMSW Western Region Alexandra Katehakis, MA personal news, including book publications, new jobs, grad - International Region Talli Rosenbaum, MSc, PT uations and other similar new to Stephanie Buehler at President’s Committees [email protected]. Personnel Committee Chair Triste Brooks, MS Ethics Advisory Committee Chair Andrew S. Walters, PhD, MPH Awards Committee Chair Joan Sughrue, MEd, RN Bylaws Committee Chair Maria D’Errico, JD, PhD Nominations Committee Chair Helen “Ginger” Bush, MSW Certification Committee Chairs How to contact AASECT Sexuality Counselors Mitch Tepper, PhD Sexuality Educators Cory Silverberg, MEd board members Sex Therapists Dennis Detweiler, LSCSW an’t find what you’re looking for on the web - Sex Therapy Supervisors Gretchen Fincke, LCSW, DST, CST-S Diplomate of Sex Therapy Daniel Watter, EdD site? Can’t get a question answered through Contemporary Sexuality your section leader or regional representative? C Editor-in-Chief Sorah Stein, MA, BCBA Listserv members don’t have the answers? Feel free to Editor for Book and contact a board member directly at: Media Reviews Yvonne Fulbright, PhD Editor for Continuing President Bill Finger [email protected] Education Articles Gina Ogden, PhD Editorial Advisors Sarah Beshers, PhD; Yvonne Fulbright, PhD; President Elect Michele Sugg [email protected] Marty Klein, PhD; Dug Y. Lee, MA; Annette Owens, MD, PhD; Allyson Sandak, MA; Richard Sprott, Secretary Ricky Siegel [email protected] PhD; Beverly Whipple, PhD, RN, FAAN Senior Writer/ Treasurer Debra Haffner [email protected] Production Manager Todd Melby, MSJ Membership Steering Chair Stephanie Buehler Contemporary Sexuality is a monthly publication of the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists, 1444 I Street NW, Suite 700, Washington, DC 20005; [email protected] phone: 202-449-1099; fax: 202-216-9646. Please address all membership and subscription queries and editorial correspondence to this address. If you have comments, please contact Certification Steering Chair Erika Pluhar Editor-in-Chief Sorah Stein at [email protected]. [email protected] © 2012 The American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists. All rights reserved. The views expressed in Contemporary Sexuality represent individual opin - Outreach Steering Chair Sabitha Pillai-Friedman ions; they do not represent the official opinions of AASECT, its Board of Directors or its staff. [email protected] COPYRIGHTS AND PERMISSIONS: Written permission must be obtained from the Copyright Clearance Center (CCC), UMI Company, or UnCover Company for copying arti - Professional Education Steering Chair Don Dyson cles/parts of articles. Contact: CCC, (508) 750-8400; UMI, (800) 521-0600; or UnCover [email protected] (800) 787-7979. Those desiring to use articles for classroom use should contact CCC. Permissions for republication of quotes, charts, tables, figures and pages of text are normal - ly granted contingent upon similar permission from the author(s), inclusion of acknowledg - Public Relations, Media and Advocacy Chair Michael ment of the original source, and payment to CCC of the appropriate fee. Queries regarding McGee [email protected] permissions and fees should be directed to Copyright Clearance Center, Inc., 222 Rosewood Drive, Danver, MA 01923, U.S.A., phone (508) 750-8400, fax (508) 750-4744, e-mail: Communications Steering Chair Wayne Pawlowski [email protected] . [email protected]

February 2012 Vol. 46, No. 2 www.aasect.org Contemporary Sexuality 2 President’s Letter AASECT strategic planning focuses on serving members

By Bill Finger, PhD fessional organizations, increasing the number of referrals to members for speaking engagement, uring Board meetings in June and media appearances, expert testimony, etc., and November, the AASECT Board of increasing the number of certified educators and Directors engaged in three days of strate - Bill Finger D counselors who rate AASECT as essential to their gic planning under the direction of Phil Lesser, professional identification. Finally, goals that “AASECT’s mission PhD, CAE (Certified Association Executive). strengthen professional standards include clearly AASECT has used various strategic planning differentiating between professional and unpro - is the advancement models over the years, but we used this opportu - fessional practice and reduced risk for members. nity under new management to implement a The final step in our strategic planning of the highest more mission-based or goals-based approach. process was to identify specific activities that will The primary difference between this model and achieve the goals outlined above. We reviewed all standards of other models is that the focus is on outcomes that the activities currently provided by AASECT to directly benefit you, as the member, rather than members and were pleased to find that much of professional practice the organization. A key concept of this model is what we already do serves membership goals. to continually ask why we ’re providing a partic - However, we also identified more than two among sexuality ular service or engaging in a particular activity, dozen new activities designed to help us reach and to determine how that service or activity pro - our goals. Some of these are already underway, educators, vided is of benefit to members. Rather than iden - such as the membership survey that I hope most tifying goals such as “increase membership, ” of your responded to last month. Others, such as counselors and which provide little benefit to individual mem - establishing relationships with other organiza - bers, the idea is to identify objectives that direct - tions, increasing ethics training opportunities therapists.” ly benefit members. and offering job postings in Contemporary A second key concept of this model is that we Sexuality are on a fast track for implementation. — Bill Finger started very broadly, clarifying the mission of the Long-range activities include exploring the organization, and then worked to identify goals, potential of developing an accreditation program objectives and activities that support this mis - and the development of practice standards for sion. Again, the emphasis was maintained on sexuality educators, counselors and therapists. membership services or benefits throughout the We now have a formal, objective plan that process. Keeping this focus, the Board defined will help focus the Board ’s energy and the orga - the mission of AASECT as the advancement of nization ’s resources in a way that most efficient - the highest standards of professional practice ly serves our members. While this model assumes among sexuality educators, counselors and ther - the completion of established activities and the apists. We, as members, benefit from a focus on addition of new ones, it provides a strategic foun - advancing high standards of practice through dation that should serve in our quest to support professional credibility and professional identity. the mission of AASECT. As always, I want to In fact, we identified professional standards, pro - personally thank the Board of Directors for their fessional credibility and professional identity as selfless donation of time and energy and their the three key goals of our strategic plan. unflagging support of AASECT and our mission. The next step in a mission-based model of Also, much gratitude to Phil Lesser for his wis - strategic planning is the identification of specific dom and direction and to our staff for hosting us objectives related to each goal. Goals that we in our D.C. office. identified to enhance professional credibility I hope that this information is helpful and as include to increase hiring of AASECT members, always, I encourage further dialogue. AASECT is increase referrals to AASECT certified members, a membership organization and as such, includ - and increase adherence to the AASECT Code of ing members in the dialogue is a priority. If you Ethics. Goals intended to support professional have concerns or questions, please do not hesi - identity include increasing the number of profes - tate to contact me, Board members, committee sionals who self-identify as AASECT certified, chairs or the executive director. increasing formal relationships with other pro -

February 2012 Vol. 46, No. 2 www.aasect.org Contemporary Sexuality 3 Substance Abuse and Sexuality continued from page 1

because of reasonable behaviors that happen when adults live together for weeks at a time.” Kicking people out of treatment for sexual behavior was just one problem. An equally important issue is sex-/drug-linked behavior, “The most which Braun-Harvey defines as “the merging of drug- and/or alcohol-dependent behavior and striking finding sexual behavior.” Getting high or drunk sometimes leads to was that sexual activity one wouldn’t engage in while sober. An addict might exchange sex for drugs, [methamphetamine] not bother using condoms or not want to have intercourse with a partner without drugs or alco - users, regardless of hol. The opposite also happens: An addict may Methamphetamine users were more likely to be too high or too drunk to engage in sex with a answer “yes” to those statements than cocaine, opi - gender, reported longtime partner, thus ruining the relationship. ate and alcohol users, Rawson found. Slightly more “I have long believed that chemical depend - than 50 percent of those addicted to methampheta - much more drug use ency and intimacy dysfunction have been inextri - mine admitted engaging in “risky sex” and “sex cably linked,” writes Eli Coleman, PhD, director acts that are unusual for me” when under the influ - behavior connected of the University of Minnesota’s Program in ence compared to about 44 percent of cocaine users Human Sexuality, in an introduction to Braun- and fewer than 6 percent of opiate users. to aspects of sexuality Harvey’s 2011 book. About 42 percent of alcohol users answered More than two decades ago, Coleman edited “yes” to the “risky sex” statement and 16 per - than users of any of a book on the topic — Chemical Dependency cent of alcohol users answered “yes” to the “sex and Intimacy Dysfunction (Hawthorne Press, acts that are unusual for me” statement. the other categories 1988) — that included chapters on sexual com - Meanwhile, 28 percent of methamphetamine pulsivity, and chemically dependent and cocaine users agreed with the “primary sub - of drugs.” women, and aging and chemical dependency. stance of abuse is so strongly associated with But Coleman’s book may have been ahead of sex” statement, compared to 9 percent of alcohol — Richard Rawson its time. It took another 14 years until and 3 percent of opiate users. researchers began digging into how excessive “The most striking finding was that [metham - drinking and drug use affects sexual behavior. phetamine] users, regardless of gender, reported much more drug use behavior connected to aspects Studies: Sex under the influence of sexuality than users of any of the other cate - The 2002 Rawson study explored the inter - gories of drugs,” Rawson and co-authors wrote. play between sex and drugs. Published in the Participants in the Rawson study were 51 Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment and titled percent white, 25 percent African-American, 22 “Drugs and Sexual Effects: Role of Drug Type percent Hispanic and 2 percent “other.” Sexual and Gender,” the report focused on the respons - orientation of the participants was 92 percent es of 464 people at seven California and New heterosexual, 5 percent homosexual and 3 per - York treatment centers to questions regarding cent bisexual. their drug and sexual behavior. A more recent study yielded similar results. In Participants were instructed to answer “yes” 2010, Donald Calsyn, PhD, a professor at the or “no” to 25 statements, including: University of Washington Alcohol & Drug Abuse • “I’m more likely to practice risky sex under the Institute, and several co-authors, published “Sex influence of my primary substance of abuse.” Under the Influence of Drugs or Alcohol: Common for Men in Substance Abuse Treatment • “I have become involved in sex acts that are and Associated with High-Risk Sexual Behavior” unusual for me when I am under the influence of in the American Journal on Addictions . my primary substance of abuse.” Researchers asked 505 men at seven • “Use of my primary substance of abuse is so methadone clinics and seven outpatient treat - strongly associated with sex that I believe it will ment clinics about their sexual behavior while be difficult for me to separate my use of this sub - stance from my sexual behavior.” continued on page 5

February 2012 Vol. 46, No. 2 www.aasect.org Contemporary Sexuality 4 In an interview with Contemporary Sexuality , Substance Abuse and Sexuality Braun-Harvey says that sexuality isn’t usually continued from page 4 addressed in treatment until a client becomes sex - ually active, alone, with another patient or makes advances on a staff member. under the influence of drugs or alcohol. About Instead of seeing this behavior as part of a 73 percent reported engaging in sex while high sex-/drug-linked behavior, counselors usually or drunk during the previous 90 days. When believe it’s related to something else. “They see it asked about their most recent sexual encounter, as an unmotivated client,” Braun-Harvey says. 39 percent reported being under the influence. “They see it as a client who is not ready to get “Our experience has Most of those participating in the study were sober. They see it as a sex addict.” users of alcohol, cocaine, heroin or marijuana. Braun-Harvey believes that’s the wrong been that if you train “Although substance abuse counselors may approach. So he paired up with Stepping Stone, be reluctant to discuss sexual issues with their a San Diego-based treatment center, to create a drug and alcohol clients, these data show that relapse prevention Discovering Sexual Health in Recovery, a sex- discussions might benefit from acknowledging positive curriculum. With the help of a $421,000 treatment provider how sex and drugs are interrelated, as well as grant from The California Endowment, Braun- encourage individuals to take responsibility for Harvey tested whether the new curriculum with the basics they safe sex rather than blame the substance,” wrote improved retention rates at the center. Calsyn and co-authors. “The gold standard in drug and alcohol treat - need to do this ment is client retention,” Braun-Harvey says. “If Changing drug and alcohol treatment they complete their treatment program they have relapse prevention Calsyn isn’t the only one to notice the reluc - an enormously higher percentage of people who tance of treatment counselors to discuss sexuality. stay sober … than those who don’t complete.” intervention — not In Braun-Harvey’s Sexual Health in Recovery: A In the three years prior to implementing Professional Counselor’s Manual , he cites sever - Discovering Sexual Health in Recovery, just 25 to become a sex al examples of such discomfort (not using real percent of Stepping Stone clients completed names, each is a composite of multiple clients). treatment. That rate more than doubled — to expert — many Here’s one: Frank liked to have sex when he was nearly 55 percent — during the three years the high on methamphetamine because it helped him center tested Braun-Harvey’s curriculum. people in drug and forget the abuse he suffered as a child. Now that Braun-Harvey’s curriculum includes a sexual he’s sober, he masturbates. And he wants to talk risk assessment for all clients, sexual behavior alcohol treatment about masturbation and its role in his recovery, but interventions for those who score high on the his counselor and sponsor would rather he didn’t. risk assessment, 90 minutes per week dedicated can do this work.” “Most professional staff members have a dif - to discussing sexual issues and other initiatives. ficult time broaching the subject,” Braun-Harvey Training counselors helped make the program — Doug Braun- writes. “They have little or no education in successful. human sexuality or sexual health. When painful “We get into this idea that in order to really Harvey and disruptive sexual behavior intrude on the help people in drug and alcohol treatment with treatment environment, both client and coun - their sex-/drug-linked patterns of addiction, selor are unable to look beyond the immediate there needs to be a real specialist in understand - circumstance to create an opportunity to reveal ing sexuality,” Braun-Harvey says. “Our experi - shameful, painful, and hurtful aspects of sexual ence has been that if you train a drug and alco - behavior and addiction.” hol treatment provider with the basics they need That’s also been the experience of Calsyn and to do this relapse prevention intervention — not two other researchers — Louis Haynes, MSW, to become a sex expert — many people in drug and Susan Tross, PhD. In August 2008, the trio and alcohol treatment can do this work.” wrote an article for Counselor , a magazine for Maryland has embraced this approach. In addiction professionals, outlining how uncom - 2011, nine professionals from that state’s fortable treatment counselors are in addressing Infectious Disease and Environmental Health sexuality issues. Administration began training counselors Among the reasons cited for this unwillingness statewide using Braun-Harvey’s sex-/drug-linked to engage in sexual discussions: Lack of training, relapse prevention strategy. lack of knowledge about “sex/drug interaction,” Adds Braun-Harvey, “Are they going to be fear that talking about sex will encourage clients great sex counselors? No. But are they going to to make sexual advances, fear that “client might be effective at preventing relapse because of sex - disclose information about their sexual practices uality? I think they can do that.” that are distasteful to the counselor” and a fear — Todd Melby that “sexual issues detract from ‘real recovery.’”

February 2012 Vol. 46, No. 2 www.aasect.org Contemporary Sexuality 5 Quick Hits: Sex in the News

Obama administration CDC survey examines rejects FDA recommenda - sexual violence tion on Plan B For the first time, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) conducted a large-scale The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) “Acetaminophen has no problem with consumers under the age of survey of sexual violence in America. In 2010, researchers asked 9,086 women and 7,421 men 17 plucking Plan B from the shelves of drug can be fatal, but it’s stores and supermarkets. But the Obama admin - in all 50 states questions relating to rape, stalking and violence by an intimate partner. istration does. available to every - In a move that angered contraceptive advo - Titled the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey, the nationally representative tele - cates, Health and Human Services (HHS) one. So why are Secretary Kathleen Sibelius overruled an FDA phone survey included the following findings: decision allowing those under age 17 to make • About 18 percent of women and 1 percent of contraceptives over-the-counter purchases of the morning-after men have been raped; pill. Sibelius said the drug’s manufacturer, Teva • Among women, 51 percent were raped by an singled out every Pharmaceuticals, did “not conclusively establish intimate partner and 41 percent were raped by an that Plan B One-Step should be made available to acquaintance; single time when all girls of reproductive age.” • Among men, 52 percent were raped by an When taken within three days of intercourse, acquaintance and 15 percent were raped by a they’re actually far Plan B reduces the chance of pregnancy to about stranger; 1 in 40. Without any contraceptive, the chance of safer than what’s pregnancy is about 1 in 20. • About 16 percent of women and 5 percent of men have been stalked, meaning “they felt very The FDA says this is the first time HHS over - already out there?” ruled one of its decision. Most observers believe fearful or believed that they or someone close to them would be harmed or killed;” President Barack Obama didn’t want to have to — Susan Wood defend selling Plan B to preteens during an elec - • Among women, 66 percent were stalked by a tion year. current or former intimate partner; At a press conference, Obama asked, “When • Among men, 41 percent were stalked by an it comes to 12-year-olds and 13-year-olds, the intimate partner and 40 percent were stalked by question is: Can we have confidence they would an acquaintance; potentially use Plan B properly?” • About 35 percent of women and 28 percent of Susan Wood, a former FDA commissioner, men suffered rape, physical violence or stalking physician and professor at George Washington at the hands of an intimate partner. University School of Public Health, disagrees. “Acetaminophen can be fatal, but it’s available to “The numbers surprise us,” says Linda Degutis, everyone,” she says. “So why are contraceptives lead author of the CDC report. “All of this under - singled out every single time when they’re actual - scores that sexual violence is widespread.” ly far safer than what’s already out there?” The CDC report estimates that 1.3 million In a commentary on NPR, Douglas Kamerow, women were raped in the 12 months prior to the a physician and former assistant surgeon general, survey. That’s about six times higher than the called the HHS decision “political.” He argues U.S. Justice Department’s National Crime that Plan B should be as accessible as the FDA Victimization Survey. says it should be. “I’d be cautious in interpreting the new data “If you are old enough to get pregnant, or to or accepting it as an accurate description of the get someone pregnant, you are old enough to extent of the crime,” says Scott Berkowitz of the have unrestricted access to emergency contracep - Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network. tion like Plan B,” Kamerow says. ( New York “That said, CDC, DOJ and other studies all Times , Dec. 8, NPR, Dec. 9 and Bloomberg show that this is an incredibly violent crime that News , Dec. 12) impacts nearly every family in America.” (Washington Post, New York Times and CDC, Dec. 14 and USA Today , Dec. 15) The CDC’s full report, fact sheet and toolkit is here: http://1.usa.gov/vSnbuc

continued on page 7

February 2012 Vol. 46, No. 2 www.aasect.org Contemporary Sexuality 6 sexuality programs as also contributing to the Quick Hits decline. continued from page 6 “Young people are getting information about relationships, good communication,” she says. “They’re getting information about abstinence How many sexual partners and they’re also getting information about contra - ception and condoms. Consequently, we see more have you had? For women, young people are waiting to have sex.” (Public that depends who’s asking Radio International’s The Takeaway , Dec. 15) Societal norms influence how many women “One of the things answer sexuality questions. That’s one of the UN report documents conclusions of a new Journal of Sex Research homophobic murders we found is if the study authored by professor Terri Fisher at Ohio A new United Nations Commission on Human State University and professor Michael law essentially Rights (UNCHR) report details violence, includ - Alexander at the University of Maine. ing murders, targeting LGBT persons. The The researchers divided study participants reflects homophobic report, titled “Discriminatory laws and practices into three groups: Those who answered ques - and acts of violence against individuals based on tions behind a closed door and were promised sentiment, then their and gender identity,” is anonymity, those who answered questions with the first of its kind issued by the agency. the door open and were told someone may view it legitimizes According to the report, 31 LGBT persons their responses and those who answered ques - were killed in Honduras in less than two years, tions while hooked up to a polygraph machine. homophobia in including “a transgender person found dead in a (The machine wasn’t functioning, but partici - ditch, her body beaten and burned, showing evi - pants weren’t told that.) society at large.” dence of rape and blows to her face from stoning.” Of the 201 participants — all unmarried, het - In Jamaica, police allegedly participated in the erosexual college students — male answers didn’t — Charles Radcliffe stabbing and stoning to death of a gay man. In vary much. Those in the polygraph group report - South Africa, at least two lesbians were murdered. ed 4.0 sexual partners and those in the other LGBT persons were also murder victims in groups reported 3.7 sexual partners. the European Union and the United States. In the But female answers varied. Those in the poly - U.S., murders of LGBT persons due to their sex - graph group reported 4.4 sexual partners, those ual orientation or gender identity increased from in the closed room reported 3.4 sexual partners 22 in 2009 to 27 in 2010, according to the and those in the open room reported 2.6 sexual National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs. partners. Worldwide, the Trans Murder Monitoring “Women appear to feel pressure to adhere to Project “lists 680 murders in 50 countries during sex role expectations that indicate women should the period from 2008 to 2011.” be more relationship-oriented and should avoid Charles Radcliffe, a UNCHR staffer, says gov - being seen as promiscuous,” Fisher says. (Ohio ernment policy sometimes encourages violence State University press release, November 2011) aimed at LGBT persons. “One of the things we found is if the law essentially reflects homophobic U.S. teen birth rate sentiment, then it legitimizes homophobia in soci - hits new low ety at large,” he says. “If the state treats people as The U.S. teen birth rate fell to its lowest point in second class or second rate or, worse, as crimi - nearly 70 years of collecting data. The CDC nals, then it’s inviting people to do the same.” reports that the number of teenage girls ages 15- Couples who engage in homosexual acts face 19 who gave birth declined to 34.3 births per the death penalty in five nations (Yemen, Sudan, 1,000, a 9 percent decline from one year earlier. Saudi Arabia, Mauritania and Iran). In another The total number of births — for all age 71 countries, same-sex sexual acts are illegal but groups — dropped 3 percent. not punishable by death. “Historically, when the economy is poor, Navi Pillay, UN High Commissioner for women make a decision often to delay child-bear - Human Rights, urged all nations to end abuse ing and to get more education so they can make and violence against LGBT persons. “On the more money and support their children,” says Deb basis of the information presented [in the report], Hauser, executive director of Advocates for Youth. a pattern of human rights violations emerges that Hauser credits a steep decline in abstinence- demands a response.” (UN News Service and only-until- sexuality education and an Associated Press, Dec. 15) increase in evidence-based, more comprehensive The UNCHR report is here: http://bit.ly/sv5sa4

February 2012 Vol. 46, No. 2 www.aasect.org Contemporary Sexuality 7 ancing clinical and academic work, researched a Member Spotlight sexual enrichment approach that addresses both sexual enhancement and sexual difficulties. From Linda De Villers, PhD this research, she published her first book, Love Skills , now in its fourth edition. (Marina del Rey, Calif.) De Villers credits John Gottman, whose books on communication included empirically Member Spotlight is a monthly column offering driven research and practice, as an influence on an opportunity for AASECT members to get to her work. Another influential person with a sim - know more about each other. Each month, a dif - ilar approach, but more specifically focused on ferent member’s story will be introduced. If you sexual concerns was Joseph LoPiccolo. would like to recommend someone to be inter - “LoPiccolo was very inclusive in his Linda De Villers viewed for this column, please contact Jacqueline approach,” she says. “He was well-known and Richard, PsyD, at [email protected]. also quite humble, a quality I really respect in “Starting in the high-visibility professionals.” inda De Villers, who lives and works in During this past decade, De Villers turned her 1980s, my atten - Marina del Rey, Calif., holds the distinc - attention to a new, positive pursuit. Inspired by Ltion of AASECT certification as a sexuality her teaching of health psychology, her holistic dance at many con - educator, diplomate of sex therapy and supervi - medical family background and her love of cook - sor. She published and produced a long list of ing and great food, she intensely explored the ferences — articles and workshops and two books during the world of food and sex. During her study of past two decades as part of her ongoing commit - aphrodisiac foods, she created an online survey AASECT, SSSS and ment to the field of sexuality. that became the basis of a new aphrodisiac foods An important turning point in her career cookbook. Titled Simple Sexy Food: 101 Tasty World Congresses of occurred in 1978 when, as a direct result of Aphrodisiac Recipes and Sensual Tips to Stir statewide tax cuts, she lost a full-time position Your Libido and Feed Your Love , the book was Sexual Health are teaching psychology. At the time, she did not yet released last month. have a license to practice psychotherapy. “One of the messages I want to contribute is true highlights of my “Ironically, it may have launched the best that whether planned or spontaneous, sexy meals moment of my life, since I was hired to teach with a whole host of little-known ‘aphrodisiac’ professional career, graduate courses in human sexuality the very next foods offer a wonderful opportunity to spice up semester on two different campuses, which effec - one’s sex life — especially in stressed-out, long- not only for the tively launched my career in sexuality,” she says. term relationships — and improve one’s sexual “At the time, it was a very new, innovative spe - health at the same time,” she says. “I’m introduc - professional cialty, and was offered on only a few campuses.” ing the idea of a cognitive shift when it comes to She also began her involvement with AASECT walking down the food aisles. People can put on development they during this time. She says, “Entering the field in their ‘erotic lenses’ and start selecting foods with the early 1980s was exciting because it was a sex- juicy reputations and take a playful, sensual afforded, but also positive era. When the AIDS era erupted, my approach to their everyday dining experiences.” background enabled me to balance pleasure needs Conferences figure strongly in the highlights for the formation of with safety needs. In 1985-1986, I was a visiting of De Villers career. She says, “Starting in the scholar at the University of California, Los 1980s, my attendance at many conferences — many close, now Angeles. I conducted the first national survey on AASECT, SSSS and World Congresses of Sexual the relationship between exercise habits and Health are true highlights of my professional long-standing women’s sexual functioning. It was also the first career, not only for the professional development study to investigate both the immediate and long- they afforded, but also for the formation of many friendships I’ve term effects of exercise. Many women reported an close, now long-standing friendships I’ve devel - increase in sexual interest, arousal levels and oped. Some of the most exciting international developed.” orgasmic capacity within a 90-minute interval fol - travel I’ve done has been with these friends.” lowing exercise. Positive long-term effects of exer - In addition to her work, De Villers shares a — Linda De Villers cise were also reported for those women who passion for travel, art, film and day hiking with engaged in regular exercise for three months or her partner, who has been in her life since the more. The effects can, of course, be partly mid-1990s. She says he’s in her life partly because explained by enhanced body image, as well as she seduced him with food! Perhaps most thrilling higher levels of energy and endurance. Other for her these days are her plans for travel, espe - researchers later extended these findings to men cially internationally, to promote her new book. and even constructed experimental designs to fur - — Jacqueline Richard, PsyD ther explore the relationship.” During the 1990s De Villers, who enjoys bal -

February 2012 Vol. 46, No. 2 www.aasect.org Contemporary Sexuality 8 Educational Opportunities

Sex in Cinema: Characters as Clients Expanding the Practice of Sex To promote an Educational (Monthly Group and Teleseminar) Therapy: A Clinical Model for Opportunity on these pages, February 1, 8 and 15 Exploring Desire and Intimacy send an email to [email protected]. Beverly Hills, California (A Training for Health Professionals) Presenter: Patty Britton February 10 –12, Big Sur, California More info: (323) 791-7801, Presenter: Gina Ogden Beyond The Puritanical: [email protected] or More info: (831) 667-3005 or A Cross Cultural Perspective for Public www.theissr.com www.esalen.org Sexual Health Education AASECT-approved for CE credits AASECT-approved for 11 CE credits Ongoing, online course Presenter: Mark Schoen Restoring and Revitalizing Marital Women’s Sexual Stories: Healing the More info: SexSmartFilms.com at Sexuality Wounds, Celebrating the Joy ... for (626) 660-5823 or February 3, Burlingame, California women of all ages and all sexual and [email protected] March 15, St. Louis, Missouri spiritual orientations Website: http://bit.ly/bkpzYj Presenter: Barry McCarthy February 12 –17, Big Sur, California AASECT-approved for 2 CE credits More info: (800) 839-4584, Presenter: Gina Ogden [email protected] or More info: (831) 667-3005 or Sex Therapy Postgraduate Training www.health-ed.com www.esalen.org (One-Year Program) AASECT-approved for 6 CE credits AASECT-approved for 26 CE credits Now–May 30, Philadelphia Presenter: Nancy Gambescia Full Spectrum Sex Therapy: Integrating Working with Couples When More info: (610) 525-1978, Attachment, Sexual Pleasure and the Pornography is an Issue [email protected] or Psychology of Flourishing February 15, San Diego http://bit.ly/wCVCY3 Febrary 3-4, Rockville, Maryland Presenter: Marty Klein AASECT-approved for 150 CE credits Presenter: Stella Resnick More info: [email protected] More info: (310) 855-7565, AASECT-approved for 2 CE credits Sex Therapy Postgraduate Training [email protected] or Institute of New York www.drstellaresnick.com Extra-Marital Affairs: A New Model Now–December 2, New York City AASECT-approved for 12 CE credits for Assessment, Treatment and Relapse Presenters: Susan Lee and Richard Siegel Prevention More info: (561) 833-0066, Sex Therapy Professional Certification February 17, Raleigh, North Carolina [email protected] Course March 2, Birmingham, Alabama AASECT-approved for 120 CE credits February 4, Hong Kong, China Presenter: Barry McCarthy Presenter: Matthew Yau More info: (800) 839-4584, University of Michigan Sexual Health More info: [email protected] , [email protected] or www.health-ed.com Program [email protected] or AASECT-approved for 6 CE credits Now–March 2013 (9 –11 weekends), www.hkasert.org.hk Ann Arbor, Michigan AASECT-approved for credits, contact Ignite Sex, Passion, and Sacred Love: A Presenters: Seven AASECT-certified sex provider for details Valentine’s Tantra Workshop for Couples therapists and sexuality educators February 18-19, Boca Raton, Florida More info: University of Michigan’s Love Potions: Why? What Works? Presenter: Sally Valentine Sallie Foley at (734) 764-4074, What Doesn’t And … The Role of More info: (561) 391-3305, [email protected] or Sex/Psychotherapist as Lubricant [email protected] or http://www.ssw.umich.edu/programs/ February 4, Rockville, Maryland www.drsallyvalentine.com ce/UMSHC / Presenter: Brian Cross AASECT-approved for 12 CE credits AASECT-approved for 165 CE credits More info: [email protected] AASECT-approved for 3 CE credits International Society for the Study of Comprehensive Program in Human Women’s Sexual Health Sexuality and Sex Therapy February 19 –22, Jerusalem, Israel Now–June, New York City More info: (847) 264-5915, Presenter: Virginia Sadock [email protected] or www.isswsh.org More info: (212) 535-3271 or AASECT-approved for 27.5 credits [email protected] AASECT-approved for 32 CE credits continued on page 10

February 2012 Vol. 46, No. 2 www.aasect.org Contemporary Sexuality 9 Two-Day Sex Therapy Training: Sexual Intelligence: 10 Things Every Educational Opportunities “Integrating the Basics of Sexual Therapist Needs to Know About Sex continued from page 9 Anatomy and Physiology and Medical/ March 23, Washington, D.C. Health Factors Into Your Practice” May 4, Portland Sexual Intelligence: What People March 1 –2, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida Presenter: Marty Klein Really Want From Sex and How We April 26 –27, Charleston, South Carolina More info: [email protected] Can Help Them Get It Presenter: Joan Sughrue or [email protected] February 24, San Mateo, California More info: (770) 655-3082 or [email protected] Presenter: Marty Klein AASECT-approved for 4 CE credits More info: (800) 584-5111 or AASECT-approved for 12 CE credits [email protected] Working with Couples When AASECT-approved for 2 CE credits Sexual Attitude Reassessment (SAR) Pornography is an Issue March 3, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida March 24, Washington, D.C. Sexual Healing and Celebration: Presenter: Joan Sughrue March 30, Santa Clara, California An ‘ISIS Network’ Retreat for Health More info: (770) 655-3082 or Presenter: Marty Klein [email protected] Professionals and Their Partners Sponsor: Psychotherapy Networker February 25 –March 3 AASECT-approved for 10 CE credits Conference Puerto Vallarta, Mexico More info: [email protected] Presenter: Gina Ogden Getting the Love You Want, Getting or [email protected] More info: (413) 625-8382, the Sex You Want Couples Retreat [email protected] or March 3 –10, Puerta Vallarta, Mexico AASECT-approved for 2 CE credits [email protected] Presenter: Tammy Nelson AASECT-approved for 18 CE credits More info: (413) 625-8382 or Sexual Well-Being: Crossroads of http://bit.ly/mRH3rj Culture, Psychology and Physiology: SAR 1: Sex 101 — Exploring Personal AASECT-approved for 18 CE credits Annual Meeting of the Society for Sex Beliefs Around Topics in Sexuality Therapy and Research (SSTAR) February 25, Boulder, Colorado Integrating Sexuality and Spirituality: March 29 –31, Chicago Presenters: Bill Stayton and Jenni Skyler A Weekend of Healing and Celebration More info: (321) 527-2940, [email protected] More info: (720) 331-3354, for Per-Menopausal and Menopausal , [email protected] www.sstarnet.org [email protected] or Women or www.theintimacyinstitute.org March 9 –11, Reno, Nevada AASECT CE credits pending AASECT-approved for 10 CE credits Presenter: Gina Ogden More info: (775) 997-5538 or Sex Therapy Postgraduate Training [email protected] SAR 2: Sex 102 — Diving Deep Into Institute of New York (Year 2) Topics in Sexuality AASECT-approved for 12 CE credits April 14 –15, July 14 –15, October February 26, Boulder, Colorado 13 –14, December 1 –2, New York City Presenters: Bill Stayton and Jenni Skyler Sexual Compulsivity: Effective Presenters: Susan Lee and Richard Siegel More info: (720) 331-3354, Assessment and Intervention More info: (561) 833-0066, [email protected] [email protected] or March 10, Florence, Massachusetts www.theintimacyinstitute.org Presenter: Joseph Winn AASECT-approved for 120 CE credits AASECT-approved for 10 CE credits More info: (617) 461-8479, [email protected] or Ultimate SAR Experience josephwinnliscw.com Sexual Intelligence: How America’s War April 20 –22, Amsterdam, Netherlands on Sex Undermines Student Sexuality AASECT-approved for 6 CE credits Presenter: Patti Britton February 27, Rohnert Park, California More info: (323) 791-7801, [email protected] Presenter: Marty Klein Evaluation and Diagnosis of Sexual or www.theissr.com More info: (800) 584-5111 or Problems [email protected] March 19, 26 and April 2, Teleseminar AASECT-approved for 15 CE credits AASECT-approved for 2 CE credits Presenter: Sylvia Rosenfeld More info: ( 407) 461-9971 or SAR [email protected] April 27 –29 AASECT approved for 3 CE credits Northampton, Massachusetts Presenter: Joseph Winn More info: (401) 345-8685, [email protected] AASECT-approved for 18 CE credits

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February 2012 Vol. 46, No. 2 www.aasect.org Contemporary Sexuality 10 The Heart of Desire: The Embodiment Clinical Weeklong Intensive Educational Opportunities of Love for Couples July 16 –20, Los Angeles, California continued from page 10 June 24 –29, Big Sur, California Presenter: Patti Britton Presenters: Stella Resnick and Alan More info: (323) 791-7801, [email protected] SAR Kishbaugh or www.theissr.com April 28, Charleston, South Carolina More info: (310) 855-7565, [email protected] Presenter: Joan Sughrue AASECT-approved for 40 CE credits More info: (770) 655-3082 or AASECT-approved for 26 CE credits [email protected] SAR AASECT-approved for 10 CE credits University of Michigan Sexual Health July 20 –22, Los Angeles, California Program Presenter: Patti Britton Sexual Intelligence: Cybersex, Kinky July 7 –October 7 More info: (323) 791-7801, [email protected] Sex, Pornography and Sex Addiction Ann Arbor, Michigan or www.theissr.com May 11, New York City Presenters: Eight AASECT-certified sex Presenter: Marty Klein therapists and sexuality educators AASECT-approved for 15 CE credits More info: (800) 584-5111or More info: (734) 764-4074, [email protected] [email protected] or http://bit.ly/bs8UTA AASECT-approved for 5 CE credits AASECT-approved for 195 CE credits AASECT 44th Annual Conference Synergy: Innovation, Sexuality, Comprehensive Program in Human Tradition Sexuality and Sex Therapy June 6 –10, Austin, Texas September –June 2013, New York City Presenters: Multiple AASECT-certified Presenter: Virginia Sadock professionals and guest speakers More info: (212) 535-3271 or [email protected] AASECT-approved for 20+ CE credits AASECT-approved for 32 CE credits

See you in Aussttin, Texa s! 44th Annual AASECT Conference P H O T O

C O U R T E S Y

O F

G I B S O N

February 2012 Vol. 46, No. 2 www.aasect.org Contemporary Sexuality 11