Explore & Understand Sexuality: Sexual Attitude Reassessment Workshop

Together with the Alberta Society for the Promotion of Sexual Health (ASPSH), we are pleased to present:

 

Sexual Attitude Reassessment (SAR) Workshop

Friday Nov 22 and Saturday Nov 23, 2013

8:30 to 4:30

► UPDATE: online registration and tickets now available! ◄

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What is a SAR and why should you attend?

SAR provides an opportunity to explore and understand your own beliefs, attitudes, values and biases within the realm of sex and sexuality.  This self-exploration and self-understanding facilitates comfort that ultimately fosters improved communication skills, both on a professional and a personal level.

By becoming more aware of your perceptions, beliefs and feelings you will become increasingly comfortable with the wide variation of existing sexual attitudes, behaviours, practices and even sub-cultures.  This comfort is necessary for any sexual health professional and is also beneficial for individuals striving for personal growth and the development of healthy personal relationships.

During the SAR, you will examine sexuality and sexual attitudes from numerous perspectives using a variety of images.  The nature of SAR requires that some of the media be explicit.  The use of explicit media is necessary for increasing self-awareness and personal comfort with the many areas of sex and sexuality.  In addition to the personal growth, the event involves small group discussions during which you will be challenged with the opportunity to practice your professional or interpersonal skills.

 

 

Who might be interested in attending? 

• Professionals in the field of sexual and reproductive health
• Sexual Health Educators
• Counselors and Therapists
• Anyone interested in challenging their values, perceptions and understanding of sexuality

 

 

Leader Bios

Mary Valentich, PhD, RSW is a Professor Emerita, Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary and a Registered Social Worker, Alberta College of Social Workers. She is a Certified Sex Educator and Diplomate in Sex Therapy, American Association of Sex Educators, Counsellors and Therapists and has received ASSECT accreditation for the SAR.

 

Since 1972 Mary has had a private practice; taught sexuality for 35 years; and published 50 articles and co-edited two books related to practice in sexual problems. She has presented papers and workshops on various aspects of sexuality including development of sexual self-awareness, feminist/gender sensitive practice and ethical issues pertaining to multiple relationships in professional practice.

 

 

 

Edward Sandberg, MSW, RSW is a Clinical Social Worker in Private Practice in Vancouver .B.C. Edward has worked extensively in the area of sexuality for the past 25 years and has taught on a variety of sexual health subject areas at workshops, conferences and SARs.

 

Edward started his professional career as an HIV/AIDS counselor and educator. He has worked in the areas of sexual health disease prevention, sexual orientation, gender identity, couples counselling and extensively with members of the BDSM community, both heterosexual and queer.

 

Edward has a diverse clientele and deals with a multitude of issues in his practice. However, the underlying issues of sexuality are frequently present because clients seek out a therapist who is comfortable with these life and lifestyle issues even if they are not the primary issues to be addressed in the therapy.

 

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AASECT Accredited

“This program meets the requirements of American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counsellors and Therapists (AASECT) and is approved for 16 CE credits.  These CE credits may be applied toward AASECT certification and renewal of certification.

 

 

ACSW Accredited

Calgary Sexual Health Centre sponsored workshops are approved for Level A, Alberta Social Work Credits via a partnership with the Calgary Counselling Centre.

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Location: 

Calgary Sexual Health Centre

#304, 301 14 Street NW, Calgary, AB

 

 

Workshop Fee: 

• $375 ASPSH members   
• $425 non members 
• $275 Students

To register and purchase tickets: https://www.eventbrite.ca/event/8392709821

 

 

Questions?: 

Valerie Barr
403. 283. 5580 ext. 317

vbarr@calgarysexualhealth.ca

 

or

 

Becky Van Tassel
403. 283. 5580 ext. 323
bvantassel@calgarysexualhealth.ca

 

 

 

Back to School with the CSHC Training Centre! ► Fall 2013 Schedule

As the back to school season approaches, we are gearing up for our new Fall 2013 schedule of workshops.

 

Our Training Centre provides a number of professional development opportunities for service providers. Last year our staff facilitated 93 educational workshops reaching over 2,590 professionals!

 

We are pleased to present the schedule for our Fall 2013 workshops. Please note that Category A Social Work credits are available for all training sessions.

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Supporting Sexuality with People with Disabilities

► DATE CHANGE: October 1, 2013 ◄
9 – 12

This session is designed for professionals working with people with developmental disabilities. Participants will define sexuality in a broad context, explore their own attitudes about sexuality and receive practical suggestions for engaging clients in conversations about their sexual health and wellbeing.

This workshop will also help professionals to set boundaries around what is appropriate behavior, clarify age of consent guidelines and make referrals to community resources.

Supporting Sexuality with Older Adults

November 6, 2013  
9 – 12

Negative cultural perceptions about seniors and sexuality abound.  What can we do as professionals to counter those views and support the sexual health and wellbeing of older adults. 

In this workshop, you will increase your confidence and comfort talking with your clients about sexuality. Receive practical suggestions, tips and resources to start talking and keep talking about sexual health and wellbeing with seniors.

Creating a Culture of Respect for Gender Diverse Clients and Coworkers

December 4, 2013 
9 – 12

This session will explore the gender binary that exists in our culture and its impact on client service delivery.

Participants will identify strategies to create safe and supportive environments for clients and coworkers who transcend our culturally constructed views of gender.

 

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Location: 
Calgary Sexual Health Centre
#304, 301 - 14 Street NW, Calgary, AB

 

 

To Register: 
Call Valerie Barr at 403. 283. 5580 ext. 317
vbarr@calgarysexualhealth.ca  

or

Call Becky Van Tassel at 403. 283. 5580 ext. 323

bvantassel@calgarysexualhealth.ca 

Fee:

$50 per person, including workshop materials

 

Key Area 1: Healthy Bodies --> a personal story

There are three key areas that CSHC is focused on: Healthy Bodies, Healthy Relationships and Healthy Communities. These focus areas speak to the core of our work; they support our vision for the community and the mission we are on to achieve it.

In this series of blogs, we present some of our success stories  that highlight a program from each of our three focus areas.

 

In this blog, we look at a "Healthy Bodies" story:

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Eve’s Story: Reclaiming Healthy Sexuality

She started the program wondering why she was even there. She left wondering what she would’ve done without it.

“Eve* started the program thinking she didn’t really need it,” says Becky Van Tassel, Training Centre Coordinator with Calgary Sexual Health Centre. Eve was taking part in the Reclaiming Healthy Sexuality program as part of an addictions treatment program.

Reclaiming Healthy Sexuality is a Calgary Sexual Health Centre program that fills a critical need. Aimed at women who have had negative sexual experiences, Reclaiming is an intensive program that helps women look at their own bodies and sexuality in a new, healthier way. In Eve’s case, she experienced sexual assault as an adult.

“Often it empowers women to address something they’ve never talked about,” Van Tassel says. “We provide the tools and information so that women can make healthy choices for themselves in the future.”

Talking about their bodies is one of the most important parts of the program. From discussing anatomy to exploring how to be aware of your own body and its reactions, clients like Eve benefit from the group discussions.



Healthy decision-making with
"Head Heart Body"

The program is only offered to those already accessing social programs, so participants can receive follow-up support as they move forward. Van Tassel admits that it’s difficult work for the women involved. One aspect of the program called Head, Heart, Body helps participants make healthy decisions about sexuality.

“At the end of it, women acknowledge that they may not have made a decision that way before and it can be uncomfortable, but they know that in the future they have a tool so they can aim to not regret future decisions.”

One of the most powerful parts of the program is not what the facilitators teach the participants, but what they teach other.

“They really bond over their common experiences and help each other,” says Van Tassel. “We see really diverse groups and you often see older women sharing their wisdom or younger women helping the older participants see things in a different light. And then it builds their own self esteem that they’ve had something valuable to share with someone else and they could give support. ”

“We talk about the fact that regardless of what you’ve experienced, there is hope and the way you feel about sex and sexuality can change,” says Van Tassel. “Women can really leave with a sense of hope.”

*names have been changed.

 

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Healthy Bodies

When we understand our bodies, we take care of them, feel good about them, and make good decisions about our sexual health.

We are the only non-profit organization in Calgary delivering comprehensive programs and services that address sexual health issues. Our programs emphasize the need to be aware of your own body and take care of it, whether that means using birth control and getting tested for STIs,  or reclaiming your own sexuality.

 

Sexual & Reproductive Health Week: FREE Workshops!

This week - from Feb 10-16 - we are marking Sexual & Reproductive Health Week. 

You may have noticed that we are taking part in the "Heart Your Parts" social media campaign, launched by the Canadian Federation for Sexual Health.  Heart Your Parts is about recognizing the importance of your sexual health as part of your overall well being, and working together to build a stronger culture of healthier and happier sex positive individuals engaging in healthy sexual behaviours. 

Join us on Twitter at @YYCSexualHealth and follow the conversation at #HeartYourParts.

In addition to the #HeartYourParts campaign, we are thrilled to be taking part in Sex Week at the University of Calgary. All week long, many local organizations will be hosting workshops, events and activities at the University.  Check this link for the full schedule.

On Monday we had a great time at the Carnival event to kick off Sex Week. Thanks to everyone who stopped by and had some fun with us!

Starting today - which is officially Sexual & Reproductive Health Day - we will begin our roster of FREE workshops at the UofC.  

Here's the details of what we're offering this week:


Modern Masculinity
Tues, Feb 12
3:30 - 4:30 pm
Council Chambers (McEwan Student Centre 280)


Know Your O: Part 1
Wed, Feb 13 
1:00 - 2:00 pm 
Council Chambers (McEwan Student Centre 280)

Know Your O: Part 2 

Wed, Feb 13 

2:30 - 3:30 pm 

Council Chambers (McEwan Student Centre 280)

Porn: A Conversation 

Thurs, Feb 14 

3:30 - 4:30 pm 

Council Chambers (McEwan Student Centre 280)

Gender and the Media  

Thurs, Feb 14  

3:00 - 4:00 pm  

Wellness Centre Classroom (McEwan Student Centre 370)

Be sure to check out these fun and FREE workshops, and the many, many more as detailed in the full schedule at the UofC! 

Happy Sexual & Reproductive Health Week! 

Head Back to School with our Training Centre!

September means its time to head back to school!  Our Comprehensive Sexual Education team is busy with in-class sessions in junior and senior high schools, and our educators are connecting with and supporting Gay Straight Alliances in schools across our city.

But that's not all.

Our Training Centre is also revving up for a busy fall session, inviting professionals and service providers to head Back to School.

We have the following upcoming workshops scheduled for this fall:

1. Creating a Culture of Respect for LGBT Individuals

In this workshop participants explore the reality of heterosexism in society and its impact on client service delivery models and practices. Myths, language and definitions are clarified and strategies to create safe and supportive environments for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender clients and coworkers are practiced.

When:   Thur, Oct 11, 2012 (9:00 am - 12:00 pm)

Where:   Calgary Sexual Health Centre, #304, 301-14 St NE
Fee:   $50.00 per person, including workshop materials

2. Taking Sexy Back: Helping Clients Reclaim Healthy Sexuality

Unfortunately, many people have experienced sex and sexuality in a negative way, through harmful cultural messages or abuse. In this workshop, you will examine the impact of trauma on the sexual response cycle and explore a framework for healthy sex.

As well, you will learn strategies and tools to help clients reframe sex and sexuality and experience sexual well being.

When:   Fri, Nov 23, 2012 (9:00 am - 12:00 pm)

Where:   Calgary Sexual Health Centre, #304, 301-14 St NE
Fee:   $50.00 per person, including workshop materials

3. Supporting Older Adults and Sexual Health
Designed for those working with older adults, you will increase your confidence and comfort talking with clients about sexuality.

Receive practical suggestions, tips and resources to start talking about sexual health and advocating for sexual wellbeing with your older adult clients.

When:   Wed, Dec 5, 2012 (9:00 am - 12:00 pm)

Where:   Calgary Sexual Health Centre, #304, 301-14 St NE
Fee:   $50.00 per person, including workshop materials

To register for any of these workshops:

Contact Valerie Barr at 403.283.5580 ext. 317 or vbarr@calgarysexualhealth.ca.

Please note:  Level 'A' Alberta Social Work Continuing Education Credits are available for attendance at these workshops via a partnership with the Calgary Counselling Centre.  General public are also welcome to attend.

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Creating a Culture of Respect for LGBT Youth

We all have a responsibility.

LGBT youth are diverse, with complex needs.  To adequately support these diverse youth, we must first create a safe space for LGBT youth to access our services.

As professionals – and as human beings – we all have an ethical responsibility to ensure our services are accessible to all youth.


Recent research in the Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality found Service Provider recommendations for improved service delivery and programming for LGBT youth focused on two key areas:

• the need for training at all youth-relevant agencies, and
• the need for agency policy change.
  

You can Create a Culture of Respect for LGBT Youth. We can help.

We offer three levels of support to help your organization create a culture of respect:  professional training, customized in-service training, and policy development. 

Please see the banner to the right for more details.

For more information or to register:  

Contact Valerie Barr at 403.283.5580 ext. 317 or vbarr@calgarysexualhealth.ca