Meet the Experts

Dr. Brotto is a Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of British Columbia, Adjunct Professor in the Department of Psychology at Simon Fraser University, and the Executive Director of the Women’s Health Research Institute. She is a member of the International Academy of Sex Research, the International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health, the Society for Sex Therapy and Research, the Canadian Sex Research Forum, and the Canadian Psychological Association. She is also a Registered Psychologist who sees clients through her private practice – the Tri-Cities Sexual Health Services, while also running the UBC Sexual Health Laboratory. To find out more about Dr. Brotto and her work see Loribrotto.com

Since the mid-70′s Hardy has been an active in the leather community as a gay activist, author & speaker on aspects of the SM/Leather scene. He is author of several books including, Playing with the Family Jewels, Soul of a Second Skin and Playing With Pain as well as a contributor to the Dallas Voice newspaper and Leatherati. Professionally he is marketer and filmmaker. His documentary on the leather lifestyle “LEATHER” has won numerous awards and appeared in festivals around the world, and his film, “Out of the Darkness, The Reality of SM” is currently being used by health care professionals around the world. The current recipient of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force’s Leather Leadership Award, he was also awarded NLAI’s Man Of The Year award in 1999 and in 2007 he was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Leather Association International. Most recently he was honored to be a judge for IML 2013 and ILSb 2013. Hardy currently serves as Co-Chairperson of the board of the Woodhull Sexual Freedom Alliance in Washington, DC. Find his interview in the BDSM: Working with Kinky Clients Course.

Dr. Caroline Pukall, a Clinical Psychologist, is Professor of Psychology, Director of the Sexual Health Research Laboratory (sexlab.ca), and Director of the Sex Therapy Service (Queen’s Psychology Clinic) in the Department of Psychology at Queen’s University. Her research focuses on human sexuality, with a particular focus on vulvodynia (chronic genital pain), postpartum pain and sexual function, persistent genital arousal disorder, sexual arousal, sexual health in cancer patients, and diverse relationships. In the Sex Therapy Service, Caroline trains student therapists on sex and couple therapy techniques for clients who have sexual, relationship, and/or gender concerns. You can find out more about her and her work at Sexlab.ca. Find her interview in the Painful Sex: Working with Genito-Pelvic Pain/Penetration Disorder Course.

Queer. Kinkster. Nerd. Slut. Educator. Activist. Redrobin is a Vancouver-based international presenter of alternative sexuality and identifies as a queer, genderfluid (she/her), polyamorous switch. She’s been involved in her local sex and kink community since 2007. She began teaching lap dancing classes for The Bachelor Plan in 2010, then in 2014 taught her first BDSM class for MVK and soon was teaching regularly for both the BDSM community as well as the sex and swinger communities. She has previously been Vice President of Metro Vancouver Kink and organizer of the Queer and Trans event known as The Rainbow Connection. Her background in nursing has fueled her passion for the human body and mind, and she enjoys exploring her own as well as others. She wants to give back by helping others experiment with their sexuality and is a firm believer that you can never stop learning! You can learn more at Alternativesexuality.ca Find her interview in the BDSM: Working with Kinky Clients Course.

Dr. Cory Pedersen earned her PhD from the University of British Columbia in 2004. After teaching many years as a graduate student at UBC and sessional instructor at Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Cory was hired full time at Kwantlen. Her interest in human sexuality began in 2007, with research on developmental trends in the adolescent sexual timetable. She developed the very popular course, Psychology 3010 (Human Sexuality) in 2008 and has been immersed in sexology ever since. By 2012, and several sexology honours students later, Cory had founded the ORGASM (Observations and Research in Gender and Sexuality Matters) Research Lab to further her interests, while giving students the opportunity to gain valuable research experience. Several collaborative projects with the lab have been presented at respected psychology conferences and are in submission for publication. You can find out more about her work at Orgasmresearchlab.com. Find her interview in the Penis Problems: Working with Erectile Dysfunction, Premature Ejaculation and Delayed Ejaculation Course.

Marcy Dayan is a registered physiotherapist and is a designated Clinical Specialist in Women’s Health with expertise in the management and treatment of both female and male bladder and bowel control, vaginal/genital/rectal pain, diastasis abdominus and perinatal low back and pubic bone/groin pain. Since graduating from UBC with a Bachelor’s Degree in Physiotherapy in 1984, Marcy has completed postgraduate courses in incontinence, pain, sexual health and counseling, pelvic dysfunction and orthopaedics. She has also completed a Master of Health Administration from the University of British Columbia. Active in clinical practice, teaching and research, Marcy works in private practice, and is a also a clinical faculty member and lecturer on urogenital pathophysiology in the Master of Physiotherapy program at the University of British Columbia. You can find out more about her and her work at Dayanphysio.com. Find her interview in the Painful Sex: Working with Genito-Pelvic Pain/Penetration Disorder Course.

Melody Anne is a sex educator, workshop presenter, research assistant, kinkster, and all-around sensual adventurer. A shameless sex geek with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and a minor in Critical Studies in Sexuality from the University of British Columbia, she completed Options for Sexual Health’s Sexual Health Educator Certification program, and juggles her time between volunteering at two sex research labs and facilitating workshops on sexual health and pleasure. She has presented on topics ranging from sexuality and invisible disabilities to consent in BDSM, at venues including the University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University, ConvergeCon, the Guelph Sexuality Conference, and Metro Vancouver Kink. You can find the latest on Melody Anne on her Facebook Page, Erotic Education with Melody Anne (www.facebook.com/eroticeducator), or follow her on Twitter at @EroticEducator. Find her interview in the BDSM: Working with Kinky Clients Course.

Emily is a spritely entrepreneur who has always been passionate about creating catalysts that spark human connection. While developing Ohnut (an intimate wearable designed to help women and couples who experience deep dyspareunia) she co-founded the Lady Bits League and co-launched the Sexual Wellness Summit, to connect people and professionals from all over the sexual health world, through education and story. Emily has redefined her life as a proud entrepreneur, maker, community leader, and sexual health advocate. You can find out more about her work with Ohnut here. Find her interview in the Painful Sex: Working with Genito-Pelvic Pain/Penetration Disorder Course.

Maureen is a Registered Clinical Counsellor who works with survivors of trauma, including complex trauma and dissociation – both historical and recent. She is a long-standing instructor with the Justice Institute of BC, teaching other counsellors skills for working with complex trauma. Through her Vancouver-based private practice she works with individuals, couples and groups, as well as provides clinical consultations to a number of counsellors and agencies. She does extensive work with couples where one or both of the partners is a trauma survivor. She has written several articles, including one co-authored with Maggie Zieglar on counter-transference in trauma groups. She also wrote “Balancing conflicting Interest: A Counsellor’s Guide to the Legal Process, 3rd Edition”. She is a certified Imago Relationship therapist (Advanced Clinician) and Clinical Consultant. Along with her business partner Tamara Adilman, Maureen also presents Imago-based “Getting the Love You Want” weekend workshops for couples. You can find out more about her work with couples by visiting www.ImagoVancouver.com Find her interview in the BDSM: Working with Kinky Clients Course.

Nelson Sacristan, MA, CSAT, Clinical Manager of EHN Vancouver holds a Master’s Degree in Counselling Psychology as well as certification in substance abuse counselling. He has been working in the addictions field for 20 years. Nelson sees his role as helping his clients and their families to understand the nature of addictions, and to facilitate discovery of their inner strengths and integrity. As a Certified Sex Addiction Therapist, he is also available to help men and women struggling with compulsive sexual behaviours. You can find out more about him and his work at Edgewoodhealthnetwork.com

Tanya Fruehauf holds an MA​ in Counselling Psychology, is a CSAT (Certified Sex Addiction Therapist) and a​ Canadian Certified Counsellor with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA). Tanya specializes in therapy for addictions including drug, alcohol, sex and love addiction. She works extensively with partners affected by addiction, relationship issues and codependency. She has worked in outpatient and residential treatment centers in Vancouver and Nanaimo, BC., and facilitated IOP Intensive Outpatient Programs. In addition to being a psychotherapist, Tanya consults with organizations about addiction and is a published author. Tanya’s private therapy practice, Catalyst Counselling is located in the heart of Vancouver, BC.

Joe Ramirez is a Canadian Certified Counsellor with a Master of Counselling Psychology from Adler University, a Certified Adlerian Psychotherapist, a member of the North American Society of Adlerian Psychology, and the Founder and Director of Clear Counselling. Joe is experienced in working with men, women, and trans-individuals on a variety of identity, sexual, and relationship concerns, helping clients be more in sync with forward movement. He provides Supervision to his team, a guest speaker on Adlerian Counselling, and an adjunct instructor at Adler University. Find his interview in the Penis Problems: Working with Erectile Dysfunction, Premature Ejaculation and Delayed Ejaculation Course.

Dr. Ryan Flannigan is an Assistant Professor and surgeon-scientist in the Department of Urologic Sciences at the University of British Columbia. He received his subspecialty training at Weill Cornell Medicine and now focuses his clinical and surgical practice in the management of erectile dysfunction, Peyronie’s disease, male infertility and microsurgery. He has an active translational research program working toward developing new technological advances for penile implants to better treat erectile dysfunction, novel pharmacological agents for Peyronies disease and regenerative therapies for severe male infertility. He has been recognized with numerous national and international research awards and is a contributing author to the new Canadian Urologic Association Erectile dysfunction guidelines, and is the lead author for the Canadian male infertility guidelines. Find his interview in the Penis Problems: Working with Erectile Dysfunction, Premature Ejaculation and Delayed Ejaculation Course.