Sexual Health and Intimacy Psychological Services Training

Sarah (she/her) is the Director and Founder of the first psychology practice dedicated to sexual health treatment – SHIPS, a registered psychologist (AHPRA), board approved supervisor (AHPRA), member of the Society of Australian Sexologists. She is the Coordinator for the Sexual and Mental Health Primary Health Network, and a Sessional Lecturer at Deakin and RMIT University.

Javiera (she/her) is a psychologist and Board-approved supervisor, and she is a Senior Psychologist at SHIPS. She has completed a Master of Science in Medicine (Sexual and Reproductive Health) in Psychosexual Therapy. She is sex positive, LGBTIQA+ inclusive, kink-friendly, sex work positive, neurodiversity affirming, and welcoming of all relationship structures.

Annelil Desille (She/They) is an Autistic ADHD Clinical Psychologist, and Director of Neurokinnection. Lil utilises lived experience and integrates evidence-based practice to work with Autistic and ADHD individuals. Her passions include neurodivergence, attachment systems, intimacy, relationships and all things sex! 

Kai Schweizer (he/they) brings a deeply personal and academic passion to understanding the intersection of gender diversity and eating disorders. As a trans individual and AuDHDer, Kai imbues his research with a lived experience that enriches his PhD work at the University of Western Australia and Telethon Kids Institute. His commitment extends as a Research Affiliate at the Inside Out Institute for Eating Disorders at the University of Sydney, where he concentrates on enhancing treatment modalities for trans and gender diverse persons.

Dr Chris Cheers is a psychologist, author and educator. Chris is passionate about creating accessible, accepting, and safe spaces where people become empowered to live self-determined, meaningful lives. 

Chris is also a member of the Australian Professional Association for Transgender Health (AusPATH) and has also published his first book, The New Rulebook, with Harper Collins in February 2023.  

Anna (they/tham) is a Psychologist, Play Therapist, and EMDRAA Accredited Consultant. They have a background working with children, adolescents and adults who have experienced sexual assault and family violence. Anna is an EMDRAA Accredited Consultant and has undertaken advanced training in EMDR Therapy. A They are the Co-Director of Divergent Futures, they offer education, training and consulting in Neurodiversity-Affirming practice.

Kate Dempsey (she/her) is an Accredited Clinical Psychosexual Therapist and Clinical Sexuality Educator in private practice, on Gurambilbarra country in Townsville (Sexology North Queensland). Her professional registrations include: Queensland College of Teachers, Australian Counselling Association (College of Supervisors) and Society of Australian Sexologists. She is also a member of the European Society of Sexual Medicine, the International Society of Sexual Medicine and an affiliate member of the Australian Psychological Society.

Dr Jamie Byrne (she/her) is a clinical psychologist and lecturer at Deakin University. Jamie teaches across undergraduate and postgraduate counselling courses. Her research largely sits in two streams: (1) sleep, circadian rhythms, and health behaviours (e.g., physical activity, alcohol); and, (2) LGBTQIAP+ mental health, particularly the application of schema therapy to sexually diverse and gender diverse populations.

Hannah Maher (She/her) is Pride Training's Lead Trainer and Training Coordinator, and is constantly learning new things about the LGBTQ+ community. 

Hannah completed a Bachelor of Performing Arts in 2012 and worked as an actor for 10 years. She also has a keen interest in politics and public policy, and even ran for the Senate in the 2022 Federal Election!

" I support supervisees to treat sexual presentations, mental health presentation, relationship difficulties and their intersection with socially marginalised and neurodiverse experiences and the reflective skills necessary to work with complex presentations. I enjoy supervisory work on transference and countertransference, building reflective practice and practitioner resilience and self-care"

"I like to do a lot of supervisory work on transference and countertransference, practitioner self-reflection, responding to client ambivalence and balancing proactive treatment with reactive distress management. I'm especially passionate about teaching practitioners to identify, target and treat clients' underlying issues, rather than circling around superficial issues"