Jean Kilbourne, EdD, Judy Leavitt, EdD and Gina Ogden, PhD, presenters

This conference is about helping women find new meaning in their sexual stories and discover multiple paths to pleasure, power and satisfaction--at any age, with or without a partner. We begin the day with Jean Kilbourne and her acclaimed work on how women are so devastatingly portrayed in the media. She will take us on a journey that opens our eyes to the intense over-sexualization and objectification of women. Gina Ogden will bring us hope and guidance by showing us innovative ways to transcend guilt, shame, and "good-girls-don't" messages; heal the sexual wounds of violence, abuse, and compulsivity; create heart-to-heart communication; and expand our capacity for love, creativity and compassion. In the afternoon, Judy Leavitt will present her work on the Sexual Alarm System, an alarm that develops around women's bodies telling them, 'Danger' and also interferes with their ability to be sexual. In addition Judy will share specific special body work exercises that help women reclaim their sexuality and work through the Sexual Alarm System. Finally, together Gina and Judy will consult with the participants on cases that they present. You will be encouraged to submit cases prior to the conference. We want all of you to be part of this special day with us.

Program Code: BMS6
6 CE Credits
Location: at MSPP, West Roxbury

Jean Kilbourne, EdD, is internationally recognized for her groundbreaking work on the image of women in advertising and her critical studies of alcohol and tobacco advertising. She is the author of the award-winning book Can’t Buy My Love: How Advertising Changes the Way We Think and Feel and the creator of several films, including Killing Us Softly: Advertising’s Image of Women. She holds an honorary position as Senior Scholar at the Wellesley Centers for Women.

Judy Leavitt, EdD, is a licensed psychologist and Diplomate Certified Sex Therapist. She has a private practice and teaches Couples Therapy and Human Sexuality at the Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology in Boston. Dr. Leavitt speaks often on issues of sexuality and couples therapy at mental health centers, hospitals and professional conferences such as the Harvard Medical School conference “Treating Couples” in 2009. Dr. Leavitt is the author of the book Common Dilemmas in Couples Therapy.

Gina Ogden, PhD, LMFT, is a sexuality therapist and supervisor in Cambridge Mass, and an associate professor at the Institute for Advanced Study of Human Sexuality in San Francisco. She conducts workshops and professional trainings internationally and is author of the only national survey to investigate sexuality and spirituality. Her latest books are: Women Who Love Sex, The Heart & Soul of Sex, and The Return of Desire.