Biography

Born at the crest of the Baby Boomer generation, I grew up in the States, living from New Jersey to California. My parents steeped me in the value of education and experience, and, though sex education was sparse when I was young, they imparted a philosophy that sex was an expected and approved form of entertainment for adults. Thus I avoided the shame and embarrassment so common in our culture.

I was perpetually curious about sex and human relationships. Had the study of sexology been available, I’d have studied it from the undergraduate level onward. That not being the case, I earned my bachelor’s degree in psychology and English at Ohio State University. Shortly thereafter, politics and pregnancy encouraged my never-regretted move to Canada.

I wedded motherhood and teaching, relishing the counselling aspects of my job. As my children approached high school, we moved from the Interior of British Columbia to Vancouver’s increased opportunities. There I became a foster parent, which led to a family counsellor position. Increasingly aware of the role of sexual ignorance and abuse in troubled families, I became certified as a Sexual Abuse Practitioner. I soon realized that I knew what can go wrong with sex, but not nearly enough about healthy sexuality. This awareness propelled me to the Institute for Advanced Study of Human Sexuality in San Francisco, where I earned a master’s degree in Public Health and a doctorate in education in sexology.

Ever curious and easily bored, I now combine my three professional passions of writing, teaching, and clinical practice. I taught sexuality courses for women and elders at Simon Fraser University and write a monthly column for Xtra West. I serve as sexuality ‘expert’ for several dot coms, and also write regularly for my own site, smartsextalk.com.

I often present at conferences and community events and try to stay current through sexological journals and list serves. Still fascinated and curious about how sexuality informs our lives, I relish the stories shared by clients and find fulfillment in helping them explore and enjoy the lifelong gift of sexuality.

Credentials

I have been in private practice as a sex therapist and family and relationship counsellor in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada since 1988. My education includes:

Bachelor of Science in Education (BSEduc) 1968, Ohio State University
Sexual Abuse Practitioner Certification 1991, Justice Institute
Master of Public Health (sexology) (MPH) 1999, Institute for Advanced Study of Human Sexuality
Doctor of Education in Sexology (EdD) 1999, IASHS

I am a member in good standing of the following organizations:

British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors
Board Certified: the American College of Sexologists