SSTAR's 50th Annual Meeting - Sexuality, Trauma, and Healing
Scientific Program Chair: Dr. Uzma Rehman and Co-Chair: Dr. Marie-Pier Vaillancourt-Morel
Event Details
Sexuality, Trauma, and Healing
Scientific Program Chairs: Dr. Uzma Rehman and Dr. Marie-Pier Vaillancourt-Morel
Meeting Learning Objectives:
- Expand conceptual understanding of trauma: Participants will explore diverse theoretical frameworks for conceptualizing trauma and critically examine the strengths and limitations of various definitions.
- Examine the intersection of trauma and sexuality: Participants will engage with the latest empirical findings and theoretical insights into how trauma and sexuality interact and influence one another.
- Discover innovative trauma-informed interventions: Participants will gain knowledge of evidence-based approaches to addressing sexual difficulties within a trauma-informed framework.
- Enhance clinical practices in trauma-informed care: Participants will learn about recent advancements in clinical strategies designed to provide effective and compassionate care for trauma survivors.
Don't forget to book your stay at the Sofitel Philadelphia, the official hotel for the event!
Reserve your room here: https://book.passkey.com/e/50948937
Apr 24 - 27, 2025 (EDT)
Add to CalendarSofitel
120 S 17th St
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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Agenda
- Day 1 (April 24, 2025)
- 7:30 AM - 8:30 AMContinental Breakfast
- 8:30 AM - 9:00 AMBreak
- 9:00 AM - 12:00 PMPre-conference Morning WorkshopWorkshop Title: Developmental Trauma and Sexual Problems: Existential Approaches to the Assessment and Treatment of Men’s Sexual Difficulties
Daniel Watter
PhD
- 12:00 PM - 1:30 PMLunch(On your own)
- 1:30 PM - 4:30 PMPre-Conference Afternoon WorkshopWorkshop Title: Awakening the Body: Integrating Somatic Awareness into Sex Therapy
Amanda Adili
LCSW-RA, SEP, KAP
- 4:30 PM - 6:00 PMPoster Session
- 6:00 PM - 7:30 PMCelebrating SSTAR's 50-year Anniversary!Welcome reception and 50th Anniversary celebration.
- 7:30 PM - 9:30 PMFilm ScreeningFilm Screening: Learning To Be Naked - Healing Through Burlesque
Movie screening to start at 7:30pm
Followed by Q&A with Director Susan Wolf
More information and registration details coming soon!
- Day 2 (April 25, 2025)
- 8:00 AM - 9:00 AMContinental Breakfast
- 9:00 AM - 9:30 AMWelcome remarksSpeakers:
1. Morag Yule, SSTAR President
2. Uzma Rehman, Conference Scientific Chair
3. Thomas Wood, Local Host - 9:30 AM - 10:30 AMPlenary Talk #1Talk title: Sexual Violence and Wellbeing in the Context of War
Presenter: Ateret Gewirtz-Meydan, PhD
Ateret Gewirtz-Meydan
PhD
- 10:30 AM - 10:50 AMMorning BreakOptions: Participate in somatic exercises or relax on your own
- 10:50 AM - 12:30 PMResearch/Clinical PresentationsTransforming Trauma: Insights into Sexuality and Healing
- 12:30 PM - 2:00 PMLunchStudent Lunch and Learn available.
Non-students - Lunch on your own - 2:00 PM - 3:15 PMInvited DebateDifferent Conceptualizations of Trauma
Moderator: Sophie Bergeron, PhD
Speakers:
o Karen Caffee, PhD
o Thomas Murray, PhD
Karen Caffee
PhD
Thomas Murray
PhD
- 3:15 PM - 4:15 PMPlenary #2Talk title: Cultural Betrayal, Sexual Abuse, & Black Women: Promoting Change in Gynecological Healthcare through Institutional Courage & Dreamstorming
Presenter: Jennifer M. Gómez, PhD
Jennifer M. Gómez
PhD
- 4:15 PM - 4:30 PMAfternoon BreakOptions: Participate in somatic exercises or relax on your own
- 4:30 PM - 5:30 PMResearch/Clinical Presentations Block #2Treatment Innovations for Comorbid Sexual Problems and Trauma
- 7:00 PM - 10:00 PMSocial EventNight out in Philadelphia – there will be dance, music, and more! (more details will be coming)
Organized by Thomas Wood, local host
- Day 3 (April 26, 2025)
- 8:00 AM - 9:00 AMBreakfast and Member Business Meeting
- 9:00 AM - 10:00 AMPlenary Talk #3Talk title: Introduction to Kink
Presenter: Midori
Midori
- 10:20 AM - 10:50 AMSMNSA Invited LectureTalk title: Trauma and Beyond: Integrating Medical Perspectives in Treating Sexual Dysfunction
Presenter: Rose Hartzell-Cushanick, PhD
Rose Hartzell-Cushanick
PhD
- 10:50 AM - 11:10 AMMorning BreakOptions: Participate in somatic exercises or relax on your own
- 11:10 AM - 12:30 PMPanel Plenary on Reproductive TraumaPresenters:
o Elizabeth Grill, PsyD
o Natalie Rosen, PhD
o Leiszle Rae Lapping-Carr, PhD - 12:30 PM - 2:00 PMLunch, Poster Awards, and an interactive program featuring the SSTARs of SSTAR (in honour of SSTARโs 50th year Anniversary)
- 2:00 PM - 3:15 PMClinical Case PresentationCase Presentation Title: Saving My Life or Saving My Sex Life
Presenter: Anne Katz, PhD, RN
Anne Katz
PhD, RN
- 3:15 PM - 4:20 PMResearch/Clinical Presentations Block #3Focus on the Intersection Between Diversity and Trauma
- 4:20 PM - 4:30 PMAfternoon BreakParticipate in somatic exercises or relax on your own
- 4:30 PM - 4:50 PMSandra Leiblum Award Announcement and Presentation
- 4:50 PM - 5:00 PMConsumer Book Award Winner Presentation
- 5:00 PM - 5:10 PMThe Sexual Tipping Point Award presented by the MAP Education and Research Foundation
- 5:10 PM - 5:30 PMWelcoming New President and New President RemarksClosing Remarks and Passing the Torch to Marie-Pier Vaillancourt-Morel
- 6:00 PM - 9:00 PMStudent Social & Dine around Philadelphia
- Day 4 (April 27, 2025)
- 8:00 AM - 9:00 AMBreakfast
- 9:00 AM - 12:00 PMPost Conference WorkshopHealth and Resilience in Kink-Involved Communities: Confronting Stigma and Addressing Disparities
Presenters:
o Richard A. Sprott, PhD
o Anna Randall, LCSW
Richard Sprott
PhD
Anna Randall
LCSW
Speakers
Midori
Amanda Adili
LCSW-RA, SEP, KAP
Karen Caffee
PhD
Ateret Gewirtz-Meydan
PhD
Elizabeth Grill
PsyD
Jennifer M. Gómez
PhD
Rose Hartzell-Cushanick
PhD
Anne Katz
PhD, RN
Leiszle Rae Lapping-Carr
PhD
Thomas Murray
PhD
Anna Randall
LCSW
Natalie Rosen
PhD
Richard Sprott
PhD
Daniel Watter
PhD
Sponsors and Partners
Late-Breaking Abstract
โWe are excited to announce a late breaking call for abstracts for the poster session at the upcoming SSTAR 2025 Conference. This is your opportunity to share your latest research and clinical insights with the SSTAR community. You can submit your abstract through the abstract portal by January 31, 2025.
Scholarships
SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION
SSTAR is foremost committed to fostering clinical sexuality practice and research. To fulfill this mission, SSTAR is dedicated to being a welcoming and inclusive environment for all who are interested in human sexuality, including Black, Indigenous or other Persons of Color (BIPOC), individuals from the 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, students, as well as early career professionals.
SSTAR recognizes that payment of conference registration fees can be an economic hardship and is therefore offering 4 scholarships for the 2025 Annual Meeting. Each scholarship will cover the registration fee for the annual meeting on Friday and Saturday. Applicants need not be SSTAR members.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellation Refunds: All requests for cancellation refunds must be submitted to the SSTAR office at (847) 647-8832 or info@sstarnet.org) prior to April 2, 2025. A $50 USD cancellation administrative fee will be charged. On or after April 2, 2025, cancellations will not be eligible for any refunds. Refunds may be granted if an attendee is unable to attend the Conference due to a family death, illness, or other extraordinary circumstance. In such a circumstance, the SSTAR office must be contacted prior to the meeting. The Executive Council will review the reason, there is no guarantee it will be granted. No refunds will be granted for any reason after the Conference has begun.