Move from what’s now to what’s next.
Move from what’s now
to what’s next.
Sandra Koellmann
Learning, Leading, and Sharing
At Affirming Therapy Center, we believe that we can best serve the community by a continuous cycle of growth by Learning, Leading, and Sharing.
By Learning, we remain curious, informed, and adaptable.
By Leading, we put knowledge into action—guiding others with integrity and purpose.
By Sharing, we multiply impact, fostering collaboration and empowering those around us.
Together, these principles create a culture where we can meet the communities’ needs in the best way possible.
A background in sex education combined with ongoing clinical training shapes my work with individuals exploring sexuality, identity, pleasure, and kink or fetish interests. Learning and sharing knowledge remain core to how sexual health, consent, and empowerment are supported both in and beyond the therapy room.
Below is a selection of my most recent learning, leadership, and outreach efforts.
Learning
Completed a 6-module course in Therapeutic BDSM™, which uses a collaborative approach between Psychotherapists, BDSM Facilitators, and educators to work together to support clients using concepts of kink as part of their healing.
Attended the Kink Professional Standards Alliance (KPSA) Summit. KPSA serves as a certifying body and a community hub, committed to fostering education, networking, and advocacy.
University of Michigan Certificate of Completion for Sexual Health Certificate Program for Sex Therapy and Sexuality Educator. This was a year-long training, requiring graduate-level study in mental health fields and providing skills in comprehensive sexuality education, counseling, and clinical practice. This program cover areas such as relationship diversity, consent, STI prevention, and ethical practice, including practical experience and supervision.
Attended the virtual conference titled “Menopause 360: A Whole-Person Approach to Wellness”, presented by American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT). This focused on holistic support for menopause, encompassing sexuality, mind-body connection, and practical wellness strategies.
Completed Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) Externship and Core Skills. This training is designed for mental health professionals who seek a deeper mastery of EFT for couples therapy.
Attended American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT) conferences:
— Practical Exercises to Model, Practice, & Empower Creative Collaborative Consent & Negotiation, present by Midori
— Integrating Kink, Sexual Wellness, and Pelvic Health, presented by Sara Sohn
— Asexual-Affirming Care: Recommendations for Sexuality Professionals, presented by Jared Boot-Haury
— Caregiver Kinks: An Introduction to Imaginative Pow er Exchange, presented by Stefani Goerlich
— Yearning for Pleasure: The Radical Work of Connecting Religious Clients to Personal Healing & Social Transformation, presented by Beverly Dale
Leading
Volunteered at the San Diego Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) Externship.
Volunteer for the San Diego Leather Realm – Sponsoring the GSRD Forum in providing a variety of Mental Health Resources to our local community.
Volunteer to coordinate events for the San Diego Gender, Sexual, and Relationship Diversity (GSRD) Forum
Sharing
Panelist for community education sponsored by the San Diego Femdom Alliance (SDFA) titled Bodies and BDSM.
Presented sexuality lectures and workshops at the California State San Marcos Pride Center, Women’s Center, Gender Equity Center, Student Health and Counseling Services.
Orchestrated sexual health, pleasure focused, lifestyle focused (BDSM/kink, non-monogamy/polyamory) pleasure parties, providing sexual education.
Consultant for Passion Parties, which provides an opportunity to provide sexual health and wellness education to the local community.
Facilitated a lecture titled “BDSM 101“.
Facilitated weekly group therapy sessions titled “Discovering Sexual Health Recovery” with the LGBTQ+ community.