Somatic Sex Educator Training

Graduating from the Institute for the Study of Somatic Sex Education in Victoria, BC has been a deeply transformative experience. This program invited me into profound personal growth while equipping me with the skills and frameworks to guide others on their journeys of sexual healing and empowerment.

The faculty cultivated an environment of safety, permission, and curiosity—qualities that are now central to my own practice. I especially appreciated my mentor, Katie, who went above and beyond to customize my experience and ensure I received the support, practices, and guidance I needed to build my confidence as a practitioner. Her dedication and willingness to go the extra mile made a lasting impact on my learning journey.

Through a balance of academic rigor and experiential learning, I developed the confidence to hold space for vulnerability, exploration, and embodied change. What I carry forward most is the power of permission, pleasure, and passion. Permission to be fully present in our own bodies, pleasure as a source of wisdom and healing, and passion as a force for authentic connection. This training continues to shape who I am as a practitioner and as a human being, and I am deeply grateful.

Studying at The Institute for The Study of Somatic Sex Education was a precious gift to myself. Remembering how to confide in the desires of my soft animal body has been a wellspring of wisdom that’s shifted how I relate to life, others and the more than human world in a way that feels evermore true to my flesh and integrity. I’ve deepened my skills in giving and receiving, and I’ve learnt how to unwind my shame and perfectionism while honouring the sacredness of my grief and the unknown along the way.

So many things set this institute apart from other somatic schools and one of them is their genuine approach to community care. They value and embody accountability, accessibility and acknowledge the dynamics of power and oppression. Also the ongoing access to community/peer support has been essential.

SSE is an ode to our spirits and a homecoming to our bodies. It’s building a culture of love and belonging and I’m grateful to be weaving with this community.

"My experience studying at the ISSSE was profound and life changing. The atmosphere was compassionate yet challenging and invited me to bring all of myself to the learning experience. Not only did I grow substantially as a person myself, but under the guidance of knowledgeable and experienced instructors I gained a wide range of skills and practices that I now offer my own clients with the same spirit of compassion and radical welcome."

This training incorporates a wide range of topics within somatic sexology. The curriculum is actively being expanded and adapted to reflect the progression of the field. Institute faculty supported me in exploring my unique interests, and celebrated diverse learning styles in a way that allowed me to excel in the program.

As someone who is neurodivergent and was new to somatics at the time of my enrolment, I was offered space to creatively find my own way of engaging with the content. I loved how I was encouraged to be myself and practise different ways to be in my body. This flexibility was framed within trauma informed ethics and core values for care-fully working with clients.

The Institute is committed to building bridges with other sex educators and aligned fields, which continues to enrich my professional development and networking opportunities after graduation.

"I believe that we learn many of these skills through community - being a part of an organization that practices a culture of deep commitment and repair at all levels has been inspiring. Being able to experience the SSE skills not only in class demos but also in relationships, is a huge part of what I have gotten out of the program. I have met some of my favourite people through the ISSSE and have mentors and colleagues that I learn from and look up to. The graceful facilitation of the teaching team has been a huge benefit to me.

It may be important for future students to know that Somatic Sex Education will draw heavily on your own unique crossroads of skills and special interests, no two SSEs practice the same or have the same skill set to offer. It may also be helpful to know that you can wait until CC4/CC5 to pick some of your electives, that way you can specialize in areas you are feeling drawn to which you may not discover until later on. You can choose to round out your own learning where you want to go deeper or feel the need for supplemental curriculum."

I entered the world of Somatic Sex Education (SSE) in the role of client. I was 66 years old. For sixteen solid years before that, I was sexually shut down. SSE transformed me. I became sexually liberated. The change was so dramatic and miraculous for me, that I decided to enrol in the practitioner training program at the ISSSE. And at the age of 68, I graduated. Now I am helping my clients to experience the awesome learnings and transformational benefits of our modality. It is never too late in life to learn and to change. SSE training is a beautiful practice and it is a precious gift in service to all of humanity.