Join us for ISHPA’s inaugural full-day Summit, bringing together research, clinical expertise, and lived-experience to explore the rapidly evolving landscape of sexual health psychology.

Amid the influence of artificial intelligence, digital culture, and shifting political and environmental forces, sex and relationships are rapidly changing - demanding updated approaches to healthcare and support. For clinicians, students, researchers, and advocates, it is vital that practice is informed not only by research, but also by lived-experience and ethical, contextual understanding.

This Summit aims to lead the way by offering professionally grounded wisdom, contemporary perspectives, and integrative frameworks to guide ethical, inclusive, and responsive practice.

This event features an exceptional lineup of clinicians, researchers, and lived-experience advocates working at the forefront of the field. Across the day, we will explore key issues shaping contemporary sexual health practice, including culturally informed care for First Nations clients, sex work - inclusive practice, abortion care, neuroaffirming support, emerging research on problematic pornography use, and the development of a new sexual function scale.

Grounded in evidence and deeply connected to real-world clinical work, this Summit invites participants to engage with complexity, reflect critically, and expand their professional frameworks in ways that are ethical, inclusive, and responsive to lived realities.

Presentations:

Can We See the Intersections of Colonisation? by Lauren French
Psychosexual Aspects of Abortion Care by Dr Karen Freilich
ADHD and Autistic Sexual and Romantic Patterns of Behaviour by Annelil Desille
How Do You Want to Feel? Sex Work -Inclusive Practices for Clinicians by Sai Jaiden Lillith
Problematic Pornography Use: Classification, Debate, and Clinical Implications by Campbell Ince
Inclusive Approaches to Sexual Function Assessment by Astrid Harkin
Too Tired for Sex: The Hidden Cost of the Mental Load by Cassie Lieschke
Using EMDR in the Treatment of Paedophilic OCD by Dr Sarah Ashton

Participants will leave with:

A clearer, integrated understanding of how research, clinical practice, and lived-experience intersect in contemporary sexual health psychology
Expanded frameworks for working ethically and inclusively with diverse sexual experiences, bodies, identities, and social contexts
Greater confidence engaging with complex, value-laden areas of practice, including sex work, abortion care, neurodiversity, and pornography use
Insight into emerging research, tools, and directions shaping the future of sexual health psychology
Language and perspectives to critically reflect on personal assumptions, professional training, and clinical roles
A stronger sense of professional identity and orientation within a rapidly evolving field

Event Features:

Neuroaffirming accommodations (including a quiet space)
Auslan interpreter
Wheelchair accessible
Fully catered
Panel discussion
Guided reflective practices

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General information

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