61 million Americans and approximately one billion people world-wide live with some form of disability that limits one or more major life activities. Despite civil rights successes such as The American with Disabilities Act, people with disabilities continue to be discriminated against in both public and private life. This comprehensive certification program will enable sexuality educators, professionals, and therapists to work with clients as they confront discrimination and accessibility challenges with respect to sexual/gender identity, intimacy, and sexual expression. The program will be taught through the lenses of disability rights and disability justice, orienting students to the broad range of sexuality related challenges that can occur for people with disabilities across the lifespan. Specific topics discussed include sexual ableism and its intersection with disability movements, how various disabilities affect the physiology of sexual functioning, sexual communication barriers and their impact on sexual consent, and ethical concerns in working with disabled clients across the lifespan. The program is meant for both seasoned practitioners seeking more disability focused training and early career sexuality practitioners seeking specialization in disability-focused care.
Classes will begin on Sunday, April 23, 2023 from 12 noon until 6 EST. There will be 10 in total on the following dates:
May 21, June 25, July 23, Aug 27, Sept 24, Oct 22, Nov 19, Jan 28 and Feb 25
Supervision will be held from 10am -12 before each class.
2024 Cohort Begins July 21, 2024
Cheryl Cohen-Greene
I am a Certified Clinical Sexologist, with a doctorate in Human Sexuality, a 20 year member of the San Francisco Sex Information Training Staff, and have been a surrogate partner for over 49 years. I believe that, for most of us, our Sexuality is a very important part of our lives throughout our entire life. Consensual sexual intimacy, in whatever form works for each of us, contributes to our overall health. As we age so does our Sexuality. It will change in different ways for each of us due to ageing, illness, injury, surgery, medication, and loss of a long time partner due to death or separation. Many of us have been taught by our culture etc. that older folks, (60 and older) don't / shouldn't have sex. And that's simply not true. In my work as a Surrogate Partner Therapist I help assist individuals and couples who desire to enhance their concept of their own sexuality as their bodies age and change. We all need some help making our desires and needs met through better sexual communication, relaxation and touch.
Isabel Perez
Lourdes E Rios
Dr. Marilyn Volker ED,D ; PhD Sexologist
She is on the Board and Faculty of the International Transgender Certification Association and the International Institute of Clinical Sexologists. She was/is adjunct faculty of four South Florida universities – University of Miami, Florida International University, Lynn University and St. Thomas University. Dr. Volker trained counselors to become sex therapists through the Modern Institutes of Sex Therapy in Boca Raton (formerly the Florida Post-Graduate Sex Therapy Training Institute in West Palm Beach) and Therapy Certification Training. Dr. Volker has served as a sexuality consultant for a variety of addiction/trauma treatment facilities state and nationwide and has written articles for publications addressing sexuality issues in recovery. Dr. Volker has taught sexual health and medicine for three medical schools – University of Miami, Ross University, and Florida International University. Each month, for 8 years, Dr. Volker taught deployed and returning soldiers and their spouses/partners for the Yellow Ribbon Program in Orlando, Florida—“Upbooting Your Relationships” & “Rebooting Your Relationships” and continues to present at VA conferences regarding sexuality & intimacy.
