The Future of Sexual Health Psychology: Integrating Science, Bodies & Lived Experience

More details on lineup & presentations

• More details about Lauren French (she/her)

  Lauren French (she/her)

  Sexologist Presentation: Can We See the Intersections of Colonisation? An introduction for clinicians on cultural safety for First Nations people within therapeutic spaces. Western models of therapy have safety at the heart of patients experiences, particularly when unpacking sensitive topics like sexual health. However, in Australia, many practitioners have very little knowledge and opportunity to focus on the specific barriers to therapy many First Nations people face. When you lack knowledge or lived experience, the ways colonisation and racism in this country continues to perpetuate against our First peoples may be invisible. So lets open our eyes and shift perspectives. In this presentation, we’ll be shifting our framing from opening the therapeutic door, to which tools bring people across the threshold. Bio: Lauren French (She/Her) is a proud Karajarri women who believes that every person deserves a life filed with respectful relationships and equitable experiences. Lauren is a Sexologist and Educator. Along with her bachelors in Psychology, Lauren holds a Master's of Sexology and previously worked clinically with the Australian Institute of Sexology and Sexual Medicine. She recently finished her role as Head of Education & Community Development with Body Safety Australia, a not-for-profit organisation specialising in child sexual abuse prevention, consent, and respectful relationships education. She was also the proud recipient of the 2023 Indigenous Achievement award in the 7News Young Achiever Awards (Victoria), named one of Out for Australia's 2023 30 under 30 winners, and received a 2023 Churchill Fellowship.

• More details about Dr Karen Freilich (she/her)

  Dr Karen Freilich (she/her)

  General Practitioner and Sexual Medicine Specialist (FECSM) Presentation: Psychosexual Aspects of Abortion Care In Australia, one in four people capable of pregnancy will have an abortion in their lifetime. Despite being legal across Australia, access is still limited by cost, stigma, and postcode lottery. Abortion itself is not linked with mental health issues; however, stigma and restricting access can lead to harm. A range of emotions may be felt throughout the pregnancy decision-making process. This presentation focuses on understanding the abortion landscape in Australia and providing non-directive pregnancy options counselling and debriefing. Bio: Dr Karen Freilich is a General Practitioner and Sexual Medicine Specialist at Monash Health. She is a passionate advocate for sexual and reproductive health rights and is a proud provider of medical abortion, contraception, sexual medicine therapy, and gender affirming care. Karen has completed a Master of Reproductive and Sexual Health Research at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and completed training through the European Society of Sexual Medicine School in Budapest. In 2022, she was awarded the RACGP Australian Registrar of the Year Award. Karen was an Academic GP Registrar at Monash University researching contraception and abortion provision in rural Australia and currently lectures and tutors in Sexual Health through the University of Melbourne Medical School.

• More details about Annelil Desille (she/her)

  Annelil Desille (she/her)

  Clinical Psychologist Presentation: ADHD and Autistic Sexual and Romantic Patterns of Behaviour This presentation will discuss both de-identified clinical examples and research relating to attachment systems and sexual patterns of behaviour. It is intended to support both personal reflection and clinical understanding, exploring how these dynamics present in the therapy room and how clinicians can best support sexual satisfaction and connection in partnerships. Bio: Annelil is an AuDHD’er and PDA’er clinical psychologist, using personal lived experience alongside clinical knowledge to work with Autistic and ADHD individuals. Her special interests include: - Neurodivergence (Autism, ADHD, PDA-focused) - Mind–body connection and integration - Sexual health, relationships, connection, and intimacy - Spirituality She holds a Master of Clinical Psychology, Postgraduate Diploma of Psychology, Bachelor of Psychological Science, Certificates III and IV in Fitness, and Reiki (Level 2) certification. She has developed resources, events, and courses tailored specifically to the AuDHD community, recognised for their inclusivity, adaptability, and responsiveness.

• More details about Sai Jaiden Lillith (they/she)

  Sai Jaiden Lillith (they/she)

  Sex Industry Professional, Artist, and Educator Presentation: How Do You Want to Feel? Sex Work–Inclusive Practices for Clinicians This presentation focuses on authentically connecting with sex worker clients in a space of non-judgement. Sai will outline principles for navigating inclusive and accountable therapeutic spaces, discussing common misconceptions, homogenisations, and assumptions about sex work, trauma, agency, and intention. Drawing on lived experience and reflective practice, the session supports clinicians to better understand sex worker perspectives and provide ethical, affirming care. Bio: Sai Jaiden Lillith is a Melbourne-based gender-fluid sex industry professional and multi-modal artist, occupying roles such as prodom/me, escort, activist, performer, event organiser, ritualist, and Shibari educator. Neurodivergent and living with ADHD, CPTSD, and BPD, Sai is a strong advocate for accessible spaces, integrated self-awareness, and ethical practices. Their philosophy is to live a life consciously created, relentlessly interrogated, and framed by love. Sai has over ten years of lived experience across multiple sex industry roles, extensive engagement in therapy, and a strong interest in psychology. They have trained professionals, peers, and community members and are known for creating spaces where sex workers feel safe to be vulnerable and authentic.

• More details about Campbell Ince (he/him)

  Campbell Ince (he/him)

  PhD Candidate Presentation: Problematic Pornography Use: Classification, Debate, and Clinical Implications The classification of problematic pornography use is a topic of ongoing debate, particularly regarding whether it should be considered a behavioural addiction, the extent of its negative impacts, and its relationship to Compulsive Sexual Behaviour Disorder. This presentation summarises current research and divergent interpretations, supporting clinicians and researchers to integrate emerging evidence into practice with nuance and care. Bio: Campbell Ince is a final-year PhD candidate in Psychology at Monash University, a Research Assistant at the University of Montréal, and a member of international working groups on compulsive sexual behaviours. His research focuses on problematic pornography use (PPU), Compulsive Sexual Behaviour Disorder (CSBD), and related diagnostic debates. He has led large-scale interdisciplinary narrative reviews and priority-setting projects for future CSBD research and regularly serves as a peer reviewer for leading psychology and psychiatry journals.

• More details about Astrid Harkin (she/her)

  Astrid Harkin (she/her)

  PhD Candidate and Associate Researcher. Presentation: Inclusive Approaches to Sexual Function Assessment Many widely used measures of sexual functioning were developed within heteronormative and biomedical frameworks, limiting their capacity to capture diverse sexual experiences. This presentation outlines contemporary approaches to scale development and introduces the sexual functioning assessment Astrid is currently developing, with implications for both research quality and clinical care. Bio:Astrid Harkin is an Associate Researcher at the Institute for Sexual Health and Psychological Assessment and a PhD candidate at Swinburne University of Technology. Her research focuses on developing inclusive and affirming measures of sexual functioning. Her work addresses gaps in sexual health measurement by ensuring tools are validated with a broader range of individuals and reflect diversity across gender identities, sexual orientations, and relationship structures.

• More details about Cassie Lieschke (she/her)

  Cassie Lieschke (she/her)

  Sexual Health Clinical Psychologist Presentation: Mental Load, Burnout, and Intimacy This presentation explores how mental load and burnout quietly undermine intimacy and sexual desire, and why many clients presenting with “low libido” are experiencing exhaustion rather than dysfunction. Drawing on clinical experience, the session reframes intimacy difficulties as a signal that capacity has been exceeded and offers clinically relevant insights to support assessment, normalisation, and pathways back to connection through fairness, rest, and reduced pressure. Bio: Cassie is an established sexual health clinical psychologist working at SHIPS. She supports individuals to navigate intimacy, relationships, identity, and emotional connection, with a focus on safety, self-understanding, and meaningful change. She also holds a leadership role within her practice, supporting early-career clinicians and contributing to professional development and team culture.

• More details about Dr Sarah Ashton (she/her)

  Dr Sarah Ashton (she/her)

  Founding Director and Lead Educator (ISHPA) Presentation: Using EMDR in the Treatment of Paedophilic OCD Pedophilic-themed obsessive–compulsive disorder (POCD) is one of the most misunderstood and distressing presentations of OCD. Individuals with POCD experience intrusive fears of harming a child—not because of genuine desire—but due to overwhelming anxiety about their moral identity, loss of control, and the possibility of being dangerous. This presentation will introduce the clinical features of POCD, review the emerging research on EMDR for OCD, and explore how EMDR may be applied to trauma-linked or shame-based obsessional fears. The session will include a brief overview of two EMDR target pathways: - Future-focused fears, such as “I am dangerous” or “I will lose control,” and historical experiences that may drive the obsessional cycle, including memories of shame, humiliation, or sexual trauma. A practical example protocol will be provided to illustrate how EMDR can be integrated into the treatment of POCD alongside established approaches. Bio: Dr Sarah Ashton is the Founder and Lead Trainer of the Institute of Sexual Health Psychology Australia (ISHPA), a national training organisation dedicated to advancing inclusive, trauma-informed, evidence-based education in sexual health psychology. She is also the Director and Founder of SHIPS (Sexual Health and Intimacy Psychological Services), Australia’s first clinic solely focused on sexual health psychology. She is a registered psychologist and AHPRA board-approved supervisor. She lectures at both RMIT and Deakin University, where she co-authored Deakin’s first Sex and Sexuality unit. Her academic work includes published research on pornography in The Journal of Sex Research, Porn Studies, and Feminism & Psychology. With over 18 years of clinical experience, Dr Ashton has authored more than 30 professional training courses and delivered guest lectures at 15 Australian universities. She is passionate about shifting the cultural narrative around sex, amplifying the voices of erotically marginalised communities, and raising the standard of sexual health care.