School of Somatic Sexology

20/08/2026

Biologists and physicians have long known that s*x in humans is more complicated than “male or female”.

The author of a new book,“The Binary Delusion: How Biology Defies the Myth of Two S*xes,” notes that some people are more typically female in some traits, more typically male in other traits, and intermediate in still others.

https://theconversation.com/biological-s*x-is-neither-binary-nor-a-spectrum-a-biologist-explains-how-its-multidimensional-289786

13/08/2026

🔍 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐯𝐬. 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥 🔍

Carl Rogers, in his seminal work Client-Centered Therapy: Its Current Practice, Implications and Theory (Constable, 2003, p. 224), sheds light on a thought-provoking idea: “When the locus of evaluation is seen as residing in the expert, it would appear that the long-range social implications are in the direction of the social control of the many by the few.”

This quote invites us to reflect on the dynamics of power and autonomy in our relationships and societal structures. In counselling, it underlines the critical importance of empowering clients, encouraging them to find and trust their own voices rather than relying solely on external authorities.

💡 Key Significance to Counselling: This perspective champions the client-centered approach, advocating for a therapeutic relationship where the client's self-perception and self-directed growth are paramount. It's a call to foster environments where individuals feel supported to evaluate themselves, making decisions based on their values and insights.

🌱 Takeaway: Let's strive to create spaces—be it in therapy, education, or our daily interactions—where everyone feels empowered to be their own guide. By valuing and encouraging individual self-evaluation, we contribute to a more equitable and understanding world.

Share this if you believe in the power of empowering others! Let's be part of fostering autonomy and self-determination. 🌟

08/08/2026

In addition to the resources linked in the WAS post below, The International Academy of S*x Research (IASR) - one of the most rigorous peer-recognized bodies in global s*xual science - has formally adopted the Porto Proclamation on S*xual Health, Rights, and Justice. ✨

This follows on a Global S*xual Health Panel they facilitated during their 2026 Annual Meeting in Porto. The panel was opened with remarks from Alain Giami, WAS Past Vice-President, moderated by Prof Brandon Hill, IASR President, and included key contributors to the Porto Proclamation:

🔵 Dr. Kristen Mark - Vice-Chair, WAS Scientific Committee
🔵 Esben Esther Pirelli Benestad - WAS Executive Committee; President of the EFS - European Federation of S*xology Official
🔵 Dr. Pedro Nobre - WAS Past President
🔵 Prof Erick Janssen - WAS Secretary General

IASR has supported the initiative from its inception and has committed to participating in the World S*xual Health Assembly (WSHA), taking place on World S*xual Health Day, 4 September 2026, in Stellenbosch, South Africa.

📖 Learn more about the Porto Proclamation and WSHA → https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/19317611.2025.2597854


This report reflects on the proceedings of the Assembly and is organized around three key dimensions: (1) the current global challenges and opportunities in s*xual health, rights, and justice; (2) the new possibilities, insights, and capabilities that emerged from the deliberations; and (3) the strategic and actionable steps agreed upon to guide global efforts over the next five years.

Participants crafted the Porto Proclamation on S*xual Health, Rights and Justice, (WSHA, Citation2025) as a joint commitment to strengthen collaboration and ensure that s*xual health is recognized as a central pillar of public health and human rights. In what follows, we describe how this Assembly highlighted the urgency of action in the face of political crises, international conflict, humanitarian emergencies, funding cuts, climate change, and widening inequalities. Participants reaffirmed their shared commitment to advancing inclusive, evidence-based, and person-centered approaches to s*xual health—rooted not only in rights but also in the pursuit of s*xual justice and well-being.

Beyond its immediate outcomes, the Assembly and the Porto Proclamation represent a pivotal evolution in the institutional trajectory of WAS. This milestone not only consolidates decades of advocacy and scholarship, it positions WAS as a global convener and thought leader, uniting governments, civil society, academia, and communities under a shared vision of s*xual justice. The Porto Proclamation marks the beginning of a new strategic phase in which WAS amplifies its global presence, deepens operational partnerships, and strengthens its policy influence, firmly aligning s*xual health within global development, health, and human rights frameworks.

*xualHealth

25/07/2026

Why every modern relationship therapist needs to understand compulsive s*xual behaviours. 🧠

Out of all the presentation themes that enter a therapy room, compulsive s*xual behaviour is often the one that causes practitioners the most anxiety. Without specialist training, it is incredibly easy to feel out of your depth, misinterpret clinical signs, or default to unhelpful models.

Our Diploma in Compulsive S*xual Behaviours is a specialist, qualifying pathway designed to give you absolute clinical confidence. You will learn to move past outdated, pathologising approaches and instead develop a deep, nuanced understanding of how these behaviours intersect with trauma, attachment, neurodivergence, and relationship dynamics.

With client presentations in this area rising rapidly, adding this specialist qualification to your portfolio is one of the most impactful ways to elevate your practice and meet the genuine needs of your community.

Applications are closing soon for our upcoming intake.

🔗 Securing your spot is straightforward. Tap the link in our bio to download the full course syllabus and apply online, or email our admissions team at [email protected] today.

*xualBehaviour *xTherapyUK

25/07/2026

The second Embodiment Week with our 2026 faculty and training cohort. The Certificate in Sėxological Bodywork training is highly experiential, focussing on developing embodied wisdom through practice. Every cohort is unique and we are privileged to hold space for the maturity and perspicacity of our current trainees as they navigate the complexity and challenges of the work.

The Certificate in S*xological Bodywork, UK & Ireland, 2027 is enrolling now!

16/07/2026

Do you, or would you like to, work ethically and professionally with s*xuality?
The 10-month Somatic S*x Educator™ training, 01 February - 23 November, 2027, teaches world-class practices developed by Dr. Joseph Kramer such as Mapping and Or****ic Yoga, all grounded in Betty Martin's Wheel of Consent® and featuring in-depth functional anatomy from Ellen Heed.

We have a maximum of 14 places for the Level 1 Certificate in S*xological Bodywork® (CSB) and 4 places for the Level 2 Certificate in Somatic S*x Education (CSSE).

A recent student said: "This course is thorough and essential for anyone wanting to offer ethical educational training and support in the field of s*xuality."

You will learn a variety of instructive modalities, including breathwork, Clean Language, Body Poem, embodied consent, scar tissue remediation, erotic bodywork and mindful ma********on coaching. Other topics include neuroscience, trauma-informed practice, and gender, relationship and s*xual diversity (GRSD).

The training emphasises session structure, embodied skills, business practices, and group facilitation. The main foci are on you developing your own embodiment and learning how to facilitate self-regulation and agency with your students' decision-making.

Be aware that this is an intensive course of study which requires real dedication and commitment.

If that describes you, we hope to have the chance to learn with you!

Your Program Director, Kian de la Cour, has been delivering this training for 8 years. Meet the School of Somatic S*xology faculty

ENROLMENT PROCESS:
Our enrolment process is designed to answer any questions you might have and for you to explore this being the right training for you, at the right time.

1). Complete the enrolment form with no obligations, at https://somatics*xology.school/csb
or for the Level 2 CSSE at https://somatics*xology.school/csse
2). Book and attend an informational Zoom
3). Sign the agreements form and arrange payment
4). Commence the Certificate in S*xological Bodywork® training!

Return on Investment
A typical hourly rate for many CSBs is £150 per hour and a typical session time is 2 hours. Given those figures, it would be possible to recoup your training investment in 20 sessions. If you had 3 sessions per week, this would take less than 2 months.
Most students begin earning before the course has ended, by charging a reduced rate for sessions while they are completing certification during Module 5.

What is S*xological Bodywork®?
S*xological Bodyworkers are certified s*xologists, supporting individuals, couples and groups to learn to direct their own erotic development and/or work through s*xual issues or concerns.

For many people, the only context for intimate touch and discussion has been within a relationship or partner engagement. This is understandable - and there are other contexts; one of which is education and curiosity. In S*xological Bodywork® sessions, practitioners intend to work outside of attraction or dis-attraction -- i.e. partner engagement is set asside in the service of learning.

S*xological Bodyworkers believe that s*xual health and erotic education are basic human rights. The Certificate in S*xological Bodywork® professional training is for people of all s*xual orientations, gender identities, characteristics, or expressions.

Certified S*xological Bodyworkers operate with a client-led & client-centred approach and with a clear Code of Ethics. S*xological Bodywork has an educational focus, meaning that practitioners work with learning objectives that the clients bring. This means it is not a set of techniques, rather, the techniques are secondary to the educational contract.

CERTIFICATION & INSURANCE
Upon completion of all requirements, students will be awarded the Certificate in S*xological Bodywork (CSB) or, in the second year, the Certificate of Somatic S*xual Education (CSSE).

Students of this professional training can become Student members (and on certification, Professional members) of The Association of Certified S*xological Bodyworkers (ACSB), the Somatic S*x Educators’ Association of Australasia (SSEAA) and the Association of Somatic and Integrative S*xologists (ASIS).

This course is recognised by The Association of Somatic and Integrative S*xologists as offering a training of sufficient depth for practitioners to be eligible for insurance for their work. See the-asis.org for more details.

To register your interest, complete the enrolment form, with no obligation, at https://somatics*xology.school/csb or for the Level 2 CSSE at https://somatics*xology.school/csse

https://www.facebook.com/events/949889471310720

This course provides a Level 2 (second year) training for Certified S*xological Bodyworkers (CSBs). This experiential training offers CSBs the opportunity to expand their coaching and teaching skills by coaching students in the UK Certificate in S*xological Bodywork® Training.

14/07/2026

An article by Gary Albert of our 2025 cohort, submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Certificate in S*xological Bodywork®

Learn about S*xological Bodywork, Somatic S*xology and Somatic S*xology Coaching. Everything you need to know about erotic healing.