Sex and Self

Sex and Self

Let’s talk about sex, most importantly, let’s talk about sex and its relation to our wellbeing, our connection with others and most importantly, our connection with ourselves.

Sexual energy can be a powerful tool to heal, it can also be the base of a wound to heal from. So how do we reconnect with ourselves, embrace our sexuality, explore our desires and learn to communicate our needs with others?

Being in an industry so closely linked to sex and sexual expression it can be easy to forget the profound impact of sex on both our physical and emotional wellbeing. Exploring our connection with our own bodies and learning how to set boundaries, express ourselves and explore how past traumas can affect current relationships, can be huge step toward inner healing and growth.

Join us and our team of experts as we explore our sexual selves, empower and learn to love ourselves that little bit more.

“First Time Reflections” Presented by Rachael Wells

With panelists; Prince Jean, Sommer Isabella, Eve Batelle, Dirty Drizzy

For almost everyone, our “first time” was awkward, uncomfortable, unwanted, confusing, or just downright odd. It was a major learning experience that most of us never forget. Let’s dive in to discuss the strange and reflect on what we learned about ourselves and what we want others to know to help build mutuality and solidarity.

About Rachael – Rachael is an empathetic, driven, passionate individual and leader who provides high quality, person-centered therapy from acceptance and commitment therapy, EMDR AIP, mindfulness, self-compassion, internal family systems, and strengths-based models.

Rachael is a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) in the state of Florida and holds the title of EMDR approved therapist. Rachael is also a registered yoga teacher (RYT-200).

Rachael works with populations that include people dealing with acute sexual assault, domestic violence, sexual abuse, low self-compassion, low impulse control, those with borderline personality disorder, the sex worker community, and the transgender community. Their specific specialty is trauma within marginalized communities.

Prince Jean

Sommer Isabella

Eve Batelle

Dirty Drizzy

“Hello Body, Let’s Be Friends” with Danielle Dass

Having a positive healthy relationship with your body can be one of the most challenging things when it comes to self love. Being able to appreciate your body, being kind to it and being comfortable in your own skin drives our happiness in many ways. We have all faced negative judgments on our body and when internalized it can lead to low self esteem, poor body image, anxiety, disordered eating, depression, and/or feelings of worthlessness. In this workshop we will talk about how to befriend our bodies instead of seeing our body as the enemy.

About Danielle – Danielle is a sex-positive, trauma informed therapist. Her style of therapy emphasizes the healing process of growth and balanced self-care.

With a passion to see people grow towards their potential, her goal is to help people improve their total health and well-being.

“The Magic of Intimacy” with Danny Santos

Intimacy holds the keys to enchantment, liberated sexuality, and more profound connection. But the answers to deeper intimacy may not come from exactly where you may be expecting. In this workshop, Danny Santos will journey you through The Magic of Intimacy, drawing upon spirituality, psychology, and shamanism as guiding lights. Themes such as vulnerability, trust, and self-awareness will be tools aiding you in casting the spell of intimacy to enchant your life, ultimately leading you toward a more wholehearted approach when it comes to sex and connection.

About Danny – Danny Santos is the integrative healer and magic behind Santos & The Crystal Visions! His offerings include professional astrology readings, spiritual life coaching, sound healing, and plant medicine shamanism. Featured on BuzzFeed and with The National Alliance on Mental Illness, Danny specializes in mental health and trauma as well as sex, love, relationship, and intimacy sessions. Danny works with couples and individuals on developing deeper intimacy and lasting connections by helping his clients connect more deeply with their own divinity. As a student to the stars for over 18 years, the heavens are his passion, helping people is his promise, and healing is his offering.

“Sex After Trauma: Why it’s Difficult, and What to Do About It” with Alicia Graham

When sexual difficulty occurs after a sexual trauma, it’s easy to understand why; but what about a car accident, natural disaster, or other non-sexual trauma? These too can impact our sexual experience and the reasons why, and way forward, can seem amorphous and difficult to navigate without a roadmap through this unfamiliar territory.

In Sex After Trauma, we’ll explore the the biological connection between sexuality and post-traumatic stress along with applicable strategies to regulate the nervous system and move towards a sexual experience that feels both safe and connective. Participants can expect to walk away with a greater understanding of the relationship between sexual response and trauma response as well as tools to use both alone and with a partner to embody a more pleasurable sexual experience after living through trauma.

About Alicia – Alicia Graham is a Registered Therapeutic Counsellor (RTC) who is passionate about creating a more inclusive world. Specializing in supporting sex workers, LGBTQ2S+ individuals and survivors of trauma, she cultivates an inclusive, safe and anti-oppresive space for all. Alicia is registered with The Association of Cooperative Counselling Therapists of Canada and holds a diploma in Transpersonal Counselling Psychology from Clearmind International. Alicia employs a multi-modal approach drawing on person-centered therapy, family systems, Gestalt, Gottman method, Somatic therapy, and trauma informed practices. In addition to her counselling work, she has 14 years of experience using Non Violent Communication to offer mediation, workshops, and practice groups, focusing on leadership and systems of oppression. Alicia has an open-minded, accepting approach and believes that no struggle is too big, or too small.

“Pass Explained” with PASS Executive Director Ian O’Brian

PASS is a nonprofit organization responsible for the health and safety of adult industry workers. Join the PASS Executive Director and Board Chair to learn about PASS, performer testing standards, and our plans for the future of occupational health in the adult industry.

About Ian – Ian works with regulators of both the pleasure products and adult film industries, to compile, analyze and provide accurate, evidence-based research on issues ranging from zoning and lubricants to workplace safety and public health. He also works on research on the industry as a whole, working to combat pseudo-scientific concepts like porn addiction and the porn public health crisis, a crucial focus at a time when over two dozen states are using such studies to ban or censor adult content.

O’Brien attended graduate school at Columbia University’s prestigious Mailman School of Public Health.

“Raising the standards – intimacy coordination on adult film sets” with Izzy

The role of Intimacy Coordinator (IC) has been maturing in the arena of mainstream cinema and theatre, but pornography has been excluded. This role was created to ensure the professional treatment of people involved in the production of intimate scenes. In porn, we work with people, and they deserve respect, professionalism and a safe work environment. The role of an IC is the missing part that can help porn to become a better working space.

Some of the topics this workshop will cover are:
Why do we need intimacy coordinators on adult media sets? What does this role look like regarding the creation and production of pornographic materials? And why do sex workers have the potential to become great intimacy coordinators?

About Izzy – Izabela is an Amsterdam-based intimacy coordinator and educator. She worked with hundreds of performers and successfully prepared them for their shoots. She started her career in the adult media industry as a shoot producer and later she moved to managing and directing the production process. With more than 10 years in ethical production of adult media, she is bringing her experience to RedCheeks Academy where she prepares future intimacy coordinators for work on adult media sets.
She also hosts the RedCheeks podcast where she speaks with different people about intimacy and sexual pleasure.

“Maintaining Your Sexual Autonomy: Communication, Needs, and Boundaries” with Keziah Mayers

In this presentation, Kez Mayers, MA, LMHCA, NCC will discuss ways an individual can maintain their sexual autonomy through healthy communication strategies, needs exploration, and flexible boundary setting. Kez will explore ways that sexual myths and social norms can be a barrier to maintaining sexual autonomy.

About Keziah – Do you struggle with desires, thoughts, and behaviors that you feel as though you can’t share with others for fear of shame, stigma, ignorance, or violence? Navigating the nuances of relationships, sex, sexual health, sexual identity, and gender identity can be difficult and exhausting on its own. Through open-minded, compassionate, and culturally competent care, I am committed to help clients develop tools for self-acceptance and confidence, establish values, set healthy boundaries, learn healthy communication, cultivate and nurture healthy relationships, and explore their identity and sexuality.

I have extensive experience in: treating sexual dysfunctions, addressing problematic sexual behaviors, helping couple’s with sex-related issues, helping couple’s recover from infidelity, helping couples on the brink of separation find clarity with Discernment Counseling, processing Kink-related issues, and navigating polyamorous and kink relationships.

I am a Kink-Knowledgeable Professional through the National Coalition of Sexual Freedom (NCSF). I work affirmatively with those in the sex industry from a person-centered, empowering, non-judgmental, harm reduction, and minority stress-informed perspective. I also work with those seeking help with LGBTQ related issues and provide surgery letters.

“Coming back to yourself: Increasing Your Pleasure Potential” with Nicoletta Heidegger

Do you ever feel like you just can’t get into the moment and really enjoy yourself? We often have barriers that block us from experiencing and savoring pleasure in the moment. From intrusive thoughts about our to-do list to the narratives we have about our body; distractions are all around us. Join Nicoletta for a collaborative conversation about how to meet and come back to yourself to allow for more pleasure in your (sex) life. We will talk about how your nervous system affects your pleasure potential as well as how to find the right balance of excitement and relaxation. This class will help you to learn more about your erotic style, as well as lead you through some guided practices to help you come back to your body before, during, and after intimate moments.

About Nicoletta – Nicoletta Heidegger is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (#110256) practicing in Los Angeles and Beverly Hills.

Nicoletta received her BA in Psychology from Stanford University, her MA in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University, and her Masters of Education in Human Sexuality from Widener University.

Nicoletta is currently pursuing her PhD in Human Sexuality from Widener.

When she is not seeing clients, Nicoletta puts out weekly content via her growing hit podcast and Live Sirius XM show, Sluts and Scholars.

Nicoletta contributes regularly to other columns, podcasts, and blogs about sex, relationships, and mental health including The Stanford Daily, Vice, Livestrong, Swingtowns, Playboy Radio, Rebecca Zahler’s Don’t Waste Your Pretty podcast, Karen Lee Poter’s Sex Talk with My Mom, August McLaughlin’s Girl Boner Radio, Dr. Wendy Walsh, The Positive Results Corporation, and The I Don’t Get it Pod.

“Can Porn Educate?” Presented by Diane Obeid

With panelists; Araneae Mactans, Ebony Mystique, Alex 7Veils, Chrissy LeBlanc, Samantha Lexi and Prince Jean

As technology advances, so does the ability to access porn. It’s no longer limited to magazines hidden on the top shelf at convenient stores like something forbidden or wrong. Porn is available to people of all ages and, while it doesn’t replace the important sex education courses, it can certainly be a learning tool.

In can porn educate, we’ll identify the role porn plays in normalizing natural sexual desires, fetishes, and same-sex relationships. We’ll discuss the importance of being represented and how that can remove barriers to living authentically and being true to who we are. Additionally, porn creates the opportunity for people to learn and explore their own bodies. It can also teach about the importance of safe sex, and consensual sex, and how to make sure we’re familiar with both.

About Diane – I employ an integrative, evidence-based approach guided by my clients’ personal goals. Experience has shown me that by focusing on a supportive therapeutic relationship, you can feel safe to share your innermost challenges. I understand that you are the expert of your life and experiences and I offer support as you navigate a sometimes painful path to healing and living your most authentic life. Together, we break down barriers, navigate the rules placed on us by society, and construct a life that reflects your values.