THERAPY METHODS USED

Somatic Counselling - you learn faster by doing. Tanya works via the body to create safety, help you tap into your bodily wisdom, and learn about pleasure in a practical way.

ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) combines mindfulness, CBT (Cognitive Behaviour Therapy), and learning to be present and tune into thoughts and feelings.

Mindfulness – helping you focus on the present (the here and now) to achieve self-awareness and positive life and sexual experiences.

Embodiment - working somatically to take you out of your head and into your body.

Gestalt – to help people experience emotions rather than just talk about them.

Existentialism – each person is unique, makes their own choices and shapes their own life.

Phenomenology – what is happening in the here and now.

Transactional Analysis – looking at parent, adult, and child relationships within ourselves.

Social Constructivism – what do you give meaning and power to?

Solution Focused – let’s help you work out a plan.

Sexual Personality Types – working with people to help them better understand their sexuality and the meanings, beliefs and thoughts they attribute to sex. 

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

Society of Australian Sexologists (formerly ASSERT) - General Member and former Vice President of SAS NSW

Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia - Clinical Member 

QUALIFICATIONS

Graduate Diploma Health Sciences (Sexual Health) – University of Sydney

Graduate Diploma in Counselling – Australian College of Applied Psychology

Masters of Business, Marketing – University of Technology, Sydney

Certified Somatic Sex Educator - Institute of Somatic Sexology

Certified Sexological Body Worker - Institute of Somatic Sexology

Urban Tantra Graduate - Barbara Carellas

BIO AT A GLANCE

Tanya is the Director of Pleasure Love Relating, a sex therapy and counselling practice. With almost 20 years of experience as a Clinical and Somatic Sexologist and Counselor, she currently provides professional development courses to sex therapists and counsellors, as well as clinical individual and group supervision to those in the industry.

Prior to this, Tanya worked as a counsellor for Relationships Australia, as a crisis telephone counsellor for NSW Rape Crisis Center, and as a telephone counsellor for Impotence Australia. She also lectures and presents to health professionals on how to talk about sex with their patients. Tanya delivers professional development courses on mismatched libidos, painful sex, sexual dysfunction, sex therapy for couples, and a range of other topics.

QUALIFICATIONS & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

2020

Professional Certificate in Working with Vaginismus - Dr Martha Tara Lee and the Institute of Somatic Sexology - July - September 2020 - 12 week course on working psychologically and somatically with vaginismus.

2019

Keynote presenter - Sexology in Practice Symposium - The Politics of Pleasure - Gold Coast - 9-10 November 2019 - plus attended 2 days of presentations on the latest practices in Sexology

Masculinity Debate - Ethics Centre/Sydney Town Hall - 23 October 2019 - 3 hour debate/panel discussion on masculinity.

Tantric Dungeon - Sydney - 18 October 2019 - 4 hour workshop teaching tantric techniques and how they marry with BDSM.

Ethics of Nudity - Ethics Centre - 18 September 2019 - 2 hour discussion panel.

Oppression, Privilege and Spiritual Practice: A Symposium - Embodied Philosophy - July/August 2019 - 8 week symposium featuring different experts giving lectures on trauma, oppression and implications for therapy and organisations working with oppressed populations. How spiritual practices can be effective in the treatment and healing of intergenerational trauma and help to disrupt and dismantle structural oppression.

Psychedelics and Psychology - Michael Pollen - Sydney Opera House - 20 July 2019 - 2 hour talk and Q&A.

Transgender Health - SAS Professional Development - 03 July 2019 - 90 min presentation by Ms Maggie Smith, CNC @ T150 Clinic (the Albion Centre)

Trans* A Short History of the Trans* Body in Visual Culture - Jack Halberstam + panel discussion (Teddy Cook, Liz Duck-Chong, Christie Newman) - 28 June 2019 - UNSW - 2.5 hour talk

Embodying Social Justice - Embodied Philosophy - May 2019 - 4 week (8 hours + readings) online course presented by Rae Johnson

The State of Modern Relationships - Esther Perel - 02 May 2019 - 90 min workshop presented by Esther Perel

2018

Certified Somatic Sex Educator - Institute of Somatic Sexology - September 2018 - April 2019 - Six month concentrated course in somatic coaching and teaching (2nd year).  Working with trauma, scar remediation, orgasms, sexual dysfunction, taoist practices, teaching erotic practices and coaching, embodiment, consent, negotiation, anatomy and sexual practices.

Erectile Dysfunction Treatment Regimes Update - SAS NSW Dr Michael Lowy Professional Development - 09 August 2018 - 90 min overview

Stress-Proofing the Brain - Dr Melanie Greenberg - 30 July 2018 - 1 day workshop Applying Neuroplasticity Mindful Self-Compassion
and Positive Psychology to Overcome Stress Anxiety & Trauma

The Delicate Sadist - Studio Kink - 10 June 2018 - 90 min workshop presented by Aleni DV8

Teaching the Wheel in Groups - Betty Martin - 2-16 May 2018 - 3 study modules on presenting the Wheel of Consent to Groups

Like a Pro - Betty Martin's Wheel of Consent training for practitioners - 13-17 April 2018 - 5 day consent workshop presented by Betty Martin

Treating Out of Control Sexual Behaviour - Douglas Braun-Harvey - 29 March 2018 - 1 day workshop presented by

Festival of Erotic and Sexual Transformation - 2 1/2 days of consent, embodiment and sexuality workshops - 23-25 February 2018 - Tanya also presented a workshop at this event.

2017

Trauma, the Brain & Biology: Foundations & Treatment of Trauma - Bessel van der Kolk - 4-5 December 2017 - 2 day workshop

Therapeutic Approaches to Working with Transgender Clients - SAS NSW Education Night - 14 August 2017 - 2 hour professional development presentation given by Dr Elizabeth Riley

ACT for Relationships - Russ Harris - 17-18 July 2017 - 2 day workshop on couples therapy

Lesbian, Bisexual and Queer Women's Health Conference -ACON & VAC - 13-14 July 2017 - 2 day conference

Needle Play - Studio Kink - 20 May 2017 - 2 hour workshop on needle play techniques and safety procedures

Urban Tantra Experience, Sydney: Breath, Sensation and Power - Barbara Carrellas - 28-30 April, 2017 - 2.5 day workshop on tantra techniques

Beyond the Label - Studio Kink, Aleni & Doll DV8 - 2 hour workshop on kink and bdsm labels, ways of being and how people identify their kink

Sexual Science in the 21st Century - The Society for Scientific Study of Sexuality, 1st Australian Symposium - 1-2 February 2017 - 2 day series of workshops and presentations

2016

In Love & Service - Ruby May - 19-21 November 2016 - 2.5 day workshop exploring power dynamics between men and women where women were given the role of power and men the role of serving them - Melbourne

Genital Anatomy for People with Vulvas - Ellen Heed - 19 November 2016 - 90 minute anatomy lecture

Switching - Studio Kink Sydney - September 2016 - 2 hour workshop on switching between dominance and submission

The Course of Love - Alain de Botton - 9 July 2016 - 2 hour presentation on love throughout history and modern perspectives on love

Certified Sexological Bodywork - Institute of Somatic Sexology - April - September 2016 - Six month concentrated course in somatic coaching, teaching and bodywork.  Working with trauma, scar remediation, orgasms, sexual dysfunction, taoist practices, teaching erotic practices and coaching, embodiment, consent, negotiation, anatomy and sexual practices

7th Multidisciplinary Sexual Dysfunction Conference - Two day conference in Auckland on Sexual Dysfunction Auckland, New Zealand. Tanya also presented at this conference and ran a one day workshop as the conference opener.

2015       

Somatic Approach to Erectile Function - Institute of Somatic Sexology - Melbourne, November 2015 - One day intensive workshop on embodied methods for treatment of erectile dysfunction.

Urban Tantra Professional Training - Barbara Carellas - September 2015 - Six day intensive workshop covering business planning, Tantra techniques and principles, working with clients (somatic, tantra, bodywork), power exchange, alternative sexuality practices - Melbourne

Working with High Conflict Couples - Jacqueline McDiarmid - June 2015 - One day workshop

Owning Your Shadow Though Sexual Fantasy - SAS NSW Education Night - April 2015 - 2 hour professional development presented by Artemisia Devine, professional dominatrix and sexuality teacher

Queer Erotic Embodiment - Sydney, March 21-22, 2015 - 2 day workshop learning breath work, movement, vibration, awareness and touch to access the nervous system and expanding on what can be experienced through the body.  Practising active consent, active receiving and holding space for others.

CAPA Professional Development - Ronald Valencia - Sydney, March 2015 - 3Psycho diagnosis: Accelerating progress using Intensive short-term dynamic therapy (ISTDP) 2 hour workshop presented.

Squirting in Female Sexuality - SAS Journal Club - February 9, 2015 - Sydney - 2 hour peer review of publications: Squirting in Female Sexuality; Childbirth in Pleasure and Ecstasy; Sex & Relationships issues in Infertility and IVF treatments

Spanking workshop - Janet Hardy - January 31, 2015 - Melbourne - One day intensive workshop on the art and psychology behind spanking

Workshops on sex and sexuality - Festival of Really Good Sex - January 23-27, 2015 - Sydney - Orgasmic Yoga; Radically Inclusive Sex; Polyamory vs Monogamy debate; Eco-Sex; Love Beyond Gender; Exploration of Touch; Fantasy Role-play; Evening with Janet Hardy - Author of The Ethical Slut, What to do When Someone You Love is Kinky, Girl Fags and Boy Dykes, The Topping/Bottoming Book and many more

2014       

Asia-Oceania Federation of Sexology 21st Conference - October 2014 - Brisbane - Three day conference on latest research and treatment methods in sex therapy

Sexuality & Philosophy - Schwelle - August 2014 - Sydney - 4 week discussion course

6th Multidisciplinary Sexual Dysfunction Conference - Sydney - Three day conference in Sydney on Sexual Dysfunction.  Also presented at this conference.

Radical Ecstasy - Dossie Easton - February 2014 - Two day workshop on the integration of Tantric Philosophy with BDSM practice

Harnessing The Power Of The Mind - Dan Siegel - February 2014 - Two day workshop on new and effective approaches to psycho-therapeutic clinical assessment, treatment planning and interventions - Melbourne

2013

Tantric Spanking - Afternoon workshop on practices and principles of spanking incorporating: consent, safety and Tantra techniques

Premature Ejaculation Symposium - PRIME - Sydney - One day workshop presenting latest research findings

Conscious Kink Workshop - Sydney - Three hour workshop on mindfulness and kink practice

Xplore Festival of Sexuality and Dance - April 2015 - Three day series of workshops in alternative sexual practices, Tantra, BDSM and sex philosophy - Sydney

Martin Seligman – Positive Psychology - Sydney - Two hour presentation at Sydney Opera House

2012

Somatic Tantra Training - Brisbane - One day workshop presented by Institute of Somatic Sex Therapy

ASSERT Conference- Melbourne - Three day National Conference for Australian Society Sex Educators, Researchers and Therapists

Kink, BDSM & Couples - Dr Marty Klein (USA) - Melbourne - One day workshop presented by Dr Marty Klein (USA) for ASSERT conference

Tantra for Sex Therapy - Jacqueline Hellyer, ASSERT conference - Melbourne - One day workshop

Sexual Intelligence - Dr Marty Klein (USA) - Sydney - One day workshop on couples sex therapy

Mindfulness Training for Practitioners - Three day workshop by Open Ground on using Mindfulness with clients and in practice

Attachment Theory 1 -  Kevin Keith - Sydney - One day PDP workshop on Clinical Assessment/measurement and interventions across the lifespan

Attachment Theory 2 - Kevin Keith - Sydney - One day PDP workshop on Informing and enhancing the practice of psychotherapy

Luscious Women’s Workshop - Jacqueline Hellyer - Sydney - Two Day Female Sexuality workshop

5th Multidisciplinary Sexual Dysfunction Conference - Queenstown, New Zealand - Three day conference in Sydney on Sexual Dysfunction.

Level 1: Bridging The Couples Chasm - John & Julie Gottman - Melbourne - Two day workshop on Couples Therapy

Acceptance & Commitment Therapy Advanced Workshop - Dr Russ Harris - Sydney - Two day workshop on strategies and frameworks for using ACT therapy

2011

Affect Regulation: The New Frontier - Sydney - One day workshop on CBT and how to work effectively with clients who defend rather than feel

New Directions in Trauma - Dr John Briere - Sydney - Two day workshop on Mindfulness, Multimodal Therapy in Complex PTSD

Acceptance & Commitment Therapy Introduction Workshop - Dr Russ Harris - Two day introduction workshop for ACT skills and theory Sydney

Hypersexuality: Disorder & Interpersonal Phenomenon - Prof. Eli Coleman - Two day, workshop for psychologists and psychiatrists

Australian Association of Relationship Counsellors Conference - Melbourne - Two days of workshops and presentations on relationship counselling

2010

Assessment and Treatment of Internet Sex Offenders - Prof. David Middleton - Sydney - Two day workshop presented Professor David Middleton, De Montfort University, Leicester UK

What is Essential and Useful in Sexual Trauma Counselling - Sydney - Two hour presentation for CAPA professional development

ASSERT National Conference - Sydney - Three day Conference Australian Society of Sex Educators, Researchers and Therapists

Relationships and Addictions - Dr Patricia Love - Sydney - One day workshop on impact of addictions on relationships and neurobiology of addictions

Asia-Oceania Federation of Sexology Conference - Bali - Five day conference, workshops and presentations on latest medical research and treatments in sexology

Cognitive Behaviour Workshop - Sydney - One day workshop on effective treatment of depression, anxiety, pain & stress

4th Multidisciplinary Sexual Dysfunction Conference - Melbourne - Two day conference and presentations on treatment regimes in Sexual Dysfunction

Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction - 8 week course on combination of CBT, meditation, yoga and teaching to manage stress

Relationships, Intimacy & Sexual Compulsivity - One day workshop on frameworks for dealing with sexual compulsion & neurobiology behind it

Emotion Focused Therapy for Couples - Les Greenberg (USA) - Brisbane - Two day workshop on emotion focused therapy for couples

2009

Interactive Drawing Therapy - Sydney - Two day workshop on using drawing therapy to assist clients in telling their story

World Congress for Sexual Health - Sweden - Five day conference, global overview of past two years research, medication, psychotherapy and industry practice

Domestic Violence - Sydney - Two day workshop, core training and couples implications; Part of Relationships Australia training

Australian Association of Relationship Counsellors Conference - Goldcoast - Two day conference and workshops and presentations on relationship counselling

Diane Erving - Working with Intimacy & Sexuality, Issues in Relationship Counselling - Goldcoast - One day workshop on basics of sex therapy in couples counselling

Foundations for Working Systemically - Sydney - Two day workshop on introduction to working systemically with Relationships

Mismatched Libidos - Dr Sandra Pertot - Two day workshop on helping couples face the challenges of differences in sexual expectations

2008

ASSERT NSW 2008 Conference - Sydney - Two day conference giving updates on sexual health, pleasure & rights, Australian perspective

CHC Child 1 C Assessment - Sydney - Two day workshop on working with children and assessment and mandatory reporting

Couples Therapy: The Existential Experience - Sydney - Two hour workshop followed by discussion

2007

Vivian Courtis: Complex Trauma, PTSD, DID - Sydney - Two day workshop on definitions of PTSD, DID identification and treatment, working with complex trauma

Borderline Personality Workshop - Sydney - One day workshop on working with BPD clients, frameworks, expectations

World Congress for Sexual Health (WAS) - Sydney - Five day Global overview of past two years research, medication, psychotherapy and industry practice

2006

Sexuality Training Workshops - Sydney - Two day workshops run by Impotence Australia and covering: Sexual History Taking, Sexual Identities, Assessment of Sexual Issues, Assessing and Treating Premature Ejaculation, Working with Men and Low Sexual Desire

Mental Health First Aid Course - Sydney - One day workshop covering all aspects of dealing with clients with mental health issues

2005

Suicide Risk Assessment and Management Course - Sydney - One day workshop on case managing suicidal clients and risk assessment