ISTI Distinguished Instructors and Guest Lecturers
Over the years, ISTI has presented workshops and other trainings with the leading experts in Sex and Relational psychotherapy. Scroll down to review.
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tammy Nelson full bio Dr. Tammy Nelson is a sex and relationship expert, an international speaker, and author of several books including, “Getting the Sex You Want; Shed Your Inhibitions and Reach New Heights of Passion Together”, "When You're The One Who Cheats; Ten Things You Need To Know, “The New Monogamy; Redefining Your Relationship After Infidelity.” and her latest book "Open Monogamy; A Guide To Co-Creating Your Ideal Relationship Agreement." She is a Board Certified Sexologist, an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist, and Supervisor, and a Certified Imago Relationship therapist. She has been a featured expert in Glamour Magazine, Cosmopolitan, Redbook, MSNBC, Healthy Life Magazine, Shape, Men’s Health, Men’s Health UK, Woman’s Day, Women’s Health, Twist Magazine, New York Times, Washington Post and a source in Time Magazine. She writes for the Huffington Post and YourTango and gives workshops and Intensives for couples and trains therapists around the world on issues relating to sex and relationships. She can be found at DrTammyNelson.com |
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Constance Avery-Clark full bio Constance Avery-Clark has been an active and successful private clinical practitioner and psychologist for nearly 30 years, providing therapy for couples’ and individuals’ sexual, intimacy, and relationship concerns and enhancement in South Florida. Also Co-Director of the Institute for Sexual & Relationship Therapy & Training, and an AASECT-Certified Diplomate in Sex Therapy. DrAveryClark.com |
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Joanne Bagshaw full bio Dr. Joanne Bagshaw is an award-winning professor of psychology and women’s studies at Montgomery College. She is also an AASECT-certified sex therapist with a private practice in Maryland, the author of “The Feminist Handbook” and writes the popular feminist blog, “The Third Wave,” for Psychology Today. Before re-specializing as a sex and relationship therapist, Joanne was a trauma therapist, working primarily with rape and sexual assault, intimate partner violence, and adults who were abused as children. Joanne brings her nearly two decades of experience as a therapist to help clients transform their relationships and lead happier and healthier lives. joannebagshaw.com |
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melanie Barnum full bio Melanie Barnum (Bethel, CT) is a psychic medium, intuitive counselor, life coach, and hypnotist who has been practicing professionally for more than fifteen years. She was a VIP Reader at Psych Out, a gathering of the nation’s foremost psychics, organized by Court TV. Barnum is also an Angelspeake Facilitator, a member of the National Guild of Hypnotists (NGH), and the International Association of Counselors and Therapists (IACT). MelanieBarnum.com |
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Renée burwell full bio Renée Burwell, LCSW, MPA, CST-S, CSE is a nationally acclaimed psychotherapist and educator with specializations in sex therapy and trauma. Her practice, Pandora's Awakening, offers services and educational outreach that help destigmatize mental and sexual health services. She is a skilled facilitator offering trainings and workshops to healthcare and social services professionals on mental health, sexual health, and reproductive justice. In addition to her work with Pandora's Awakening and The Sage Alliance (501c3), she is also on the community board for Planned Parenthood of Tennessee and North Mississippi, an active member of the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT), the Association of Black Sexologist and the Women of Color Sexual Health Network (WOCHN), and is a writer and educator for various mediums including Pure Romance, Bedroom Kandi and CNN. RenéeBurwell.com |
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Bryony Cole full bio Bryony Cole is an international speaker, published writer and producer, who has been featured on shows like Viceland and Technopia, and articles in Wired, TechCrunch, The New York Times, Playboy, Mashable, Motherboard, ABC, Financial Review, Brides, Glamour and many other global media.Recent stage engagements include TEDx (Romania), Open Innovation Forum (Russia) and Tech Open Air (Germany) and Login Festival (Lithuania). bryonycole.co |
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reverend Beverly dale full bio Reverend Beverly Dale is a published writer, vocalist, and performer, in addition to being an ordained minister. Her ministry has taken her from being a Pastor in a Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) parish in Illinois for 6 years to 21 years of campus ministry at the University of Pennsylvania and now as the Founder and Chair of the Incarnation Institute for Sex & Faith. This is an educational non-profit that teaches an inclusive, science-friendly and sex-positive Christianity. beverlydale.org |
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lena derhally full bio Lena Derhally, MS, MA, LPC, is a licensed psychotherapist certified in Imago Relationship Therapy. She is part of the clinical faculty in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the George Washington School of Medicine where she mentors medical students, and is the co-host of the podcast, Sessions with Bob and Lena. Her writing has been published in The Washington Post, The Huffington Post and more, and she is also the author of the Amazon best-selling true crime book, “My Daddy is a Hero: How Chris Watts Went from Family Man to Family Killer." LenaDerhally.com |
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Dr. pamela finnerty full bio Dr. Pamela Finnerty has been a therapist in private practice specializing in relationship and couples therapy for over 30 years. Sexuality and aging have been areas of specialization since her earliest training in the 1970’s at the height of explosive shift in paradigms of women’s sexual freedom. She ran women’s sexuality groups and taught human sexuality classes in the 1970’s and in the early 1980’s completed a certificate in gerontology as part of her doctorate. She went on to develop and teach one of the first courses in the country on Counseling Older Persons as part of her full-time academic career at George Washington University. Pamela is an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist as well as a Certified Sex and Couples Therapist. In this later chapter of her long career, she is writing and teaching about the importance of sexual vibrancy and aliveness to the vitality and health of women and men as they age. The blossoming of her career long priority to help older people free and become their best sexual selves is an important element of her own continuing power, strength, and joy. PamelaFinnertyPhD.com |
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Brian Gibney full bio Over the course of his adult life, Brian Gibney has worn many hats: research scientist (MA, Molecular biology; Masters, Microbiology), teacher, professional artist, performer, and parent. The common thread that has run through all of those vocations was the joy of learning, discovery, and improvement. Concurrently, he has always enjoyed sharing with others to learn their stories, hopes, and dreams, realizing that these are common elements of the human experience that bind us all together. In surrogate partner therapy I welcome the ability to utilize my unique skills, disposition, and life experiences to guide others around obstacles to emotional and physical intimacy. Brian received his training in surrogate partner therapy from IPSA (the International Professional Surrogates’ Association) in 2016 and is currently in the intern phase of his work. Under the supervision of an experienced mentor, he works with female-identifying clients to aid them in overcoming obstacles that prevent them from experiencing healthy intimate relationships. BGSurrogateTherapy.com |
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Michael giordano full bio Based in Washington, DC, Michael Giordano has been a Clinical Social Worker since 1999. He earned his MSW from the University of Maryland, Baltimore and worked in small non-profits before entering private practice in 2007. His main interests are gender identity, trauma, and sex therapy. In his free time, Mike is a harried dad and an avid yogi. WhatIHearYouSaying.com |
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diane gleim full bio Diane Gleim, LMFT, CST, CST-S is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and AASECT Certified Sex Therapist and Supervisor practicing in Santa Rosa, California. As the first Certified Sex Therapist in Sonoma County, Diane treats the many diverse issues related to sexual identity, sexual expression, sexual behavior, and sexual relationships. Her clients include everyone with a sexual concern: individuals and couples ages 18-80+, and the LGBTQ+, kinky, and poly populations. In addition to her private practice, Diane’s work also includes speaking at mental health and medical organizations on a variety of topics related to sex and therapy; providing consultations to therapists on their challenging sexuality-related cases; being a CAMFT-approved CE provider; writing the blog Underneath the Sheets on Psychology Today’s website, and supervising sex-therapists-in-training as the only AASECT Certified Sex Therapist Supervisor in Sonoma County. She has been quoted in The Press Democrat, Sonoma Magazine, The Buzz by Pure Romance, Quartz, MEL Magazine, CNN.com, and a guest on podcasts. Diane has been voted Sonoma County’s Best Sex Therapist by the readers of the North Bay Bohemian four times. www.dianegleimMFT.com |
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gail guttman full bio Gail Guttman, LCSW, specializes in the integration of couples and sex therapy. With more than 30 years of experience, Gail Guttman is a couples’ therapist with a specialty in sex therapy. She offers the unique opportunity for clients to address their sexual concerns within the context of their relationship. Gail’s passion includes developing the theory and practice of integrating couples and sex therapy. She helps psychotherapists become more competent and confident in these areas. In her practice, she conducts ongoing consultation/supervision groups in which cases and theory are discussed, and an important support network for therapists is created. Gail conducts training workshops and seminars at professional associations and conferences and is a regular presenter at the Integrative Sex Therapy Institute for the last several years. She is an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist, Sex Therapy Supervisor and CE Provider and a Certified Sex and Couples Therapist (CSCT). Gail is a Maryland Social Work Supervisor.Gail has presented on the subject of couples and sex therapy at the Integrative Sex Therapy Institute, Greater Washington Society for Clinical Social Workers, previous Imago therapy conferences, the University of Maryland and other professional organizations. She can be found at GPAtherapy.com |
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Jennifer Gunsaullus full bio Jennifer Gunsaullus, PhD, is the author of the new book, From Madness to Mindfulness: Reinventing Sex for Women. In addition to being a sociologist and sexologist, Dr. Jenn is a mindful intimacy coach and frequent speaker about sexual consent, healthy relationships, body image, erotic play, women’s sexual empowerment, sexual health, and mindfulness. She has presented two TEDx Talks, is a writer on sex and relationships, and a recurring intimacy expert on the San Diego morning news. Dr. Jenn is also an active philanthropist with Women Give San Diego, the founder of World Sexual Health Day–San Diego, and on the executive team for Sex Positive San Diego. Her In the Den with Dr. Jenn educational video series has 1.5 million hits on YouTube and she is an expert in the documentary on masturbation, called Sticky: A (Self) Love Story. DrJennsDen.com |
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Nancy Hyatt full bio Nancy Hyatt brings over twenty years of experience as a transformational couples and individual therapist. Her unique immersive process has helped hundreds of couples and individuals shift from lives of coping in old self-defeating patterns to living in alignment with purpose, aliveness and vitality. Nancy is an Advanced Imago Relationship Therapist, a Certified EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) trauma therapist, a Master Student of Encounter-Centered Couples Therapy and an Outward, Bound Wilderness Therapist. Her work is also influenced by her studies with Dr. Sue Johnsonn EFT (Emotionally Focused Therapy) and Thomas Heubl. Her greatest source of relational learning continues to be in her own marriage of 27 years and as mother. After receiving her Masters in Social Work from NYU, Nancy completed a Post Graduate Fellowshipin the Outpatient Psychiatry Department of Boston Children’s Hospital. She has been in private practice since 1995. Her professional leadership experience includes serving as both President and Vice President of MAIT (Mid-Atlantic Association of Imago and Relational Therapists), an organization of over 100 relational therapists. She coaches and advises other psychotherapists in deepening their skill in doing transformational psychotherapy. Nancy joined the transformational faculty of Mobius Executive Leadership in 2017 and has been coaching in its leadership programs in North America, Asia and Europe since that time. NancyHyatt.com |
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Alexandra katehakis full bio Alexandra Katehakis, PhD is a published, award-winning author, licensed psychotherapist, and is recognized as a leader in the field of Integrative sex therapy. As the Clinical Director of Center for Healthy Sex in Los Angeles, Alex has extensive experience in working with a full spectrum of sexuality. She makes regular contributions to publications like Psychology Today and the Huffington Post, has been interviewed by Rolling Stone, Washington Post, and the LA Times, has made several television appearances on programs like Inside Hollywood, Spike TV and CNN, and is frequently featured as a prominent expert panelist at sexuality conferences worldwide alongside the likes of Dan Siegel, Drew Pinsky, and Christopher Kennedy Lawford. https://centerforhealthysex.com/about/staff-clinical-director/ |
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elliot kronenfeld full bio Dr. Elliott Kronenfeld earned his Doctorate in Human Sexuality from the California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS) and holds a Master of Clinical Social Work and a Master of Communication from Simmons University. As a Certified Sex Therapist/Supervisor, Elliott has a thriving private practice in the Boston area where he specializes in infidelity recovery, infertility, and intimacy skills. He is the author of the best-selling book, Couples by Intention: Creating and Cultivating Relationships that Matter!, is a TEDx speaker, and a highly sought-after presenter/lecturer. He is currently on faculty at the CIIS and Simmons University teaching courses on Human Sexuality. drelliottk.com |
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Emma Kupferman full bio Emma Kupferman, MSW, LICSW, LCSW-C – After several years teaching Pre-school and High School Sexual Health Education, Ms. Kupferman completed her MSW at Howard University in 2004. She began a career in social work that focused on trauma recovery for survivors of domestic violence and sexual trauma through work at several residential programs in Washington DC, as well as serving as the Clinical Supervisor of the online hotline at the Rape, Abuse Incest National Network. Since October 2016 Ms. Kupferman has consulted with non-profits on clinical program planning and supervision, taught Practice with Individuals, Psychopathology and Human Behavior at the University of Maryland School of Social Work and provided individual and partner’s therapy to clients at her private practice based out of Freed Bodyworks (www.freedbodyworks.com). Ms. Kupferman’s specialties in her practice include ethical non-monogamy, BDSM, kink, body positivity and trauma impact on sexuality. Among others she has presented at the 3rd World Conference of Women’s Shelters at The Hauge, Netherlands in 2015, AASECT National Conference in 2017, Embracing Change & Growth: Strengthening Services for Survivors of Sexual Violence from the Sexual Assault Demonstration Initiative in 2019. You can reach Emma at FreedBodyWorks.com |
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Joseph Jaafari full bio Joseph Jaafari. Reporter. Photographer. Documentary Filmmaker. I am a seasoned data reporter and doc filmmaker who covers subculture, crime and health. I graduated from the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism with a focus on urban reporting and specialized in video and data platforms. |
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evan leepson full bio Evan Leepson, MBA has more than 30 years experience creating and implementing effective marketing programs. As a marketing consultant, he has facilitated successful strategic marketing plans through extensive business analysis, and market assessments. He leverages his expertise to generate creative and results-oriented solutions. |
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Anne Mauro full bio Anne Mauro, LMFT, DHS, CSE, CST is a Licensed Couples and Family Therapist (LMFT), American Association Sex Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT) Certified Sex Therapist, and AASECT Certified Sexuality Educator, and clinical supervisor. Her private practice, Mending Connections, in Washington state, specializes in relationship counseling and sex therapy. She volunteers her time to the field by being a member of the AASECT Ethics Advisory Committee and serving as chair of the AASECT Awards Committee. Anne created and taught a course titled Colonization and Sex for the Sexuality Certificate Program at Antioch University Seattle. In partnership with a colleague, Anne is an AASECT continuing education (CEU) provider. Through this venture, Anne co-created the Beyond Settler Sex Sexually Attitude Reassessment (SAR). Her first publication, More Than Ebony and Ivory: Complexities of sex therapy with interracial couples, can be found in An Intersectional Approach to Sex Therapy: Centering the lives of indigenous, racialized, and people of color. AnneMauro.com |
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Mark Michaels and Patricia Johnson full bio Mark A. Michaels and Patricia Johnson are the authors of the new book Designer Relationships: A Guide to Happy Monogamy, Positive Polyamory, and Optimistic Open Relationships (Cleis Press, September 2015). A devoted married couple, they have been creative collaborators––teaching and writing about relationships, sexuality, and Tantra––since 1999. In addition to Designer Relationships, they have written Partners in Passion (Cleis Press), Great Sex Made Simple, Tantra for Erotic Empowerment, and The Essence of Tantric Sexuality (Llewellyn). They are also the creators of the COVR Award-winning meditation CD set Ananda Nidra: Blissful Sleep. TantraPM.com |
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wendy miller full bio Dr. Wendy E. Miller is a psychologist, psychoanalyst, and an AASECT certified sex therapist (CST) with over 35 years of experience working with individuals and couples struggling with sexual and other issues. She has trained extensively in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy as well as with the Tavistock Center for Couple Relationships in London. Currently, Dr. Miller is on the faculty of The Women’s Therapy Centre Institute where she teaches classes on human sexuality and she consults at The Center for Optimal Living on issues involving the link between sexuality and drug use. She has taught and given professional training on out of control sexual behavior and is currently running a sexual health group for men struggling with feeling sexually out of control. In addition, she runs couple therapy groups with Dr. Peggy Kleinplatz’s Optimal Sexual Experiences Research Team of the University of Ottawa for couples who want to improve their sex life. |
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Barry McCarthy full bio Barry McCarthy, Ph.D. is a professor of psychology at American University, a diplomate in clinical psychology, a Certified Sex Therapist, and a Certified Couple Therapist. He has published more than 110 professional articles, 29 book chapters, and 14 books. Barry has presented more than 450 professional workshops in the United States and internationally. In 2016 he received the Masters and Johnson award for lifetime contributions to the sexuality field. |
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Hani Miletski full bio Hani Miletski, Ph.D., M.S.W., is a Certified Sex Therapist (Diplomate) and Supervisor by the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT). She also has a Certified Sex and Couples Therapist designation (CSCT). In the July 2009 issue of the Washingtonian, Hani was listed as one of the top psychotherapists specializing in sexual issues. Hani is the author of “Understanding Bestiality and Zoophilia” and “Mother-Son Incest: The Unthinkable Broken Taboo Persists,” and various professional articles. Hani came to the United-States from her native country, Israel, in 1987 at the age of 25. She worked at the Embassy of Israel in Washington, DC as the Assistant Senior Representative of the Defense Mission to the U.S. for Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) Programs, and later as the Assistant Press Counselor, while going to school. Hani currently has a Private Practice in Bethesda, MD. DrMiletski.com |
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glenn parkinson full bio Glenn Parkinson is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker in Dupont Circle, Washington DC offering individual and couples psychotherapy. I use a compassionate and non-judgmental approach in my work with people of diverse backgrounds. My work is solution-focused, aimed at addressing ways people are dissatisfied with or struggle in their lives. Primary areas of work include trauma, depression, anxiety, medical issues, traumatic brain injury, and sexual health and intimacy concerns. I have extensive experience working with active duty military personnel, veterans, and civilians with deployment-related experience. wolfsprings.org |
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Lee phillips full bio Melvin Lee Phillips, Jr., EdD, LCSW, CSAC, CST, CCST is in private practice in Washington, DC., where he treats chronic illness and sexual dysfunction. He is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia. He is also a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC) in Virginia. Dr. Phillips has been in private practice for more than a decade, working with couples on sexuality after chronic illness. He lectures on topics including sexuality, chronic pain, anxiety and stress management, caregiving stress, depression in the elderly, mindfulness and cognitive strategies for chronic pain, reclaiming sexuality for couples with chronic illness, ethical decision making, and the assessment of mental disorders. He has published in the Journal of Baccalaureate Social Work, conducting a research study on LGBTQ-Affirmative Teaching at Historically Black Colleges and Universities: Understanding Program Directors Views. He holds a Doctor of Education (EdD) degree in Organizational Leadership with an emphasis in Behavioral Health from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, AZ. In addition, Dr. Phillips is an adjunct professor in the Master of Social Work Program with the School of Social Work at Western New Mexico University. He can be found at DrLeePhillips.com |
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nicole prause full bio Nicole Prause, PhD is an American neuroscientist researching human sexual behavior, addiction, and the physiology of sexual response. She is a statistician in the Department of Medicine at UCLA, and founded the independent research laboratory Liberos LLC. https://www.liberoscenter.com |
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thomas rea full bio Thomas Rea is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and AASECT Certified Sex Therapist in Bethesda, MD, who also received his Certified Sex and Couples Therapist designation (CSCT). He received his Master of Social Work degree from the University of Southern California and has over 10 years of experience providing individual and relationship psychotherapy to clients with various issues, including LGBTQI-related concerns, substance use disorders, problematic sexual behaviors and male sexual dysfunction. Before opening his private practice, Thomas worked in clinical case management. RealTherapy.com |
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Talli Rosenbaum full bio Talli Rosenbaum, MSc, CST earned a masters in clinical sociology and counseling and a certificate in family therapy and mental health studies from the University of North Texas in Neve Yerushalayim. She also has a bachelor’s degree in physical therapy from Northwestern University and before training in psychotherapy, treated patients as a physical therapist for 25 years. Ms. Rosenbaum an AASECT certified sex therapist and an internationally recognized expert on the treatment of sexual pain disorders. She has authored over 30 peer reviewed journal articles and several book chapters on sexual health, unconsummated marriage, and sexuality and Judaism. Together with Dr. Anna Padoa, she has edited the Springer textbook entitled The Overactive Pelvic Floor. She is a member of several sexual health and sexual medicine organizations and serves as an associate editor of the Sexual Medicine Reviews. She has also been awarded status of ISSWSH Fellow. In addition to maintaining an active private practice, Ms. Rosenbaum is the academic advisor for Yahel: The Center for Jewish Intimacy, which trains community leaders in sexual guidance counseling. She lectures in the Bar-Ilan Sex Therapy Program, the Tel Aviv University Faculty of Medicine program in Sexual Rehabilitation, the Puah Institute, and the Israeli Institute for Marriage and Family Studies. |