Motherhood Series: Sex Positive Parenting
As the priorities of children today shift towards more inclusive and fluid goals, the objectives of parenting must inherently also shift away from more traditional and conservative values. The dual-dynamic of parenting is complex, as your choices and relationship with your child as a parent can sometimes intersect or move in different directions. This is…
When Does Therapy End?
This past Wednesday, the love of my life officially broke up with me. After a two-year-long relationship of growth, resilience, and lots of tears, it’s over. I’ll miss our weekly dates, but I feel reassured knowing there was nothing more she had hoped to teach me in our time together. Our relationship single-handedly changed my…
The Debate Around Sex Education in Schools
Whether across political party lines, religious associations, or age groups, everyone seems to hold a strong, set opinion on sex education in schools. Though these varying opinions are certainly all valid, SHA would like to expand on some statistics related to this matter to help make these discussions fact-based and comprehensive in nature so that…
What Makes a Therapist Kink-Aware or Kink-Friendly?
While many people worry about what a therapist will think of them when they step into the office and display their vulnerability, people who enjoy kink may be especially concerned about being judged by their therapist–and other negative fallout. Unfortunately, we live in a society that isn’t always sex-positive, so kinky people’s fears aren’t unfounded….
Viewing Consent Beyond the Courtroom
This article mentions sexual assault. It’s time we rethink consent and open the door for a more complex conversation surrounding the words “yes” and “no.” The words “yes” in the bedroom can mean a myriad of things: “Yes, I want to have sex with you because I’m horny.” “Yes, I want to have sex with…
Caesarians and Reprogenetics: A Post-Roe Exploration
Since the Dobbs decision overturned the previous precedent, motherhood in the United States has begun to shift meanings. The concept and practice of motherhood is now more reliant on and reminiscent of power structures than ever before. If we take this a step further to focus on power dynamics outside of and in relation to…
Painful Intercourse: Insight into the Unspoken Barriers to Pleasure
Dyspareunia or painful intercourse, is a term used to describe barriers to penetrative sex that result from pain in the vulva, vagina, uterus, or pelvic region. This pain can come as a product of many alterations in the body including infection, pain conditions, muscle contractions, dryness, allergies, and fluctuations in hormones. According to the Cleveland…
Engaging the Senses: Erotic Things That Aren’t Erotic
Sensuality, by definition alone, goes deeper than just sex. In thinking about some things that might feel erotic but don’t include nudity and sexual behavior, here are some SHA tips for engaging all of the senses: Engaging the senses: SIGHT Sight may be the most obvious of the bunch, so let’s get it out of…
Pleasure Activism: Book Review and Recommendation
adrienne maree brown’s 2019 book Pleasure Activism: The Politics of Feeling Good surrounds the radical notion that experiencing pleasure under the current power regimes is inherently a revolutionary act. This is a fascinating concept to me because it builds joy into the activism landscape, meaning that to create sustainable change for all, we need to…
Take a Deep Breath For Me: The Role of Breath During Sex
Role of Breath During Sex: Are you breathing wrong? Telling you to breathe during sex seems like common sense and something that should naturally happen. Everyone breathes during sex (even those interested in erotic asphyxiation), but what if I told you that you were breathing wrong during sex? Breathing plays a huge role in the…