Our Community
Growing Our Community
At Intimate Wellbeing you can find sexual, sensual, therapeutic, and wellness products, but you can also participate in private and public forums (or just listen to conversations about sex, libido, feminine challenges, and more). We keep it fun, yet informative, with experts and professionals sharing advice and suggestions. Check the schedule here
Our Ethos
Empowering women is always at top of our minds.
We work with a diverse group of sexual wellness experts, including healthcare specialists, psychologists, sex therapists, and pelvic floor physiotherapists, who fit with our ethos. We encourage you to attend one of their seminars or visit their websites.
Our Growing Community Partners
Dr. Carolin Klein
PHD Registered Psychologist/ Director
Dr. Carolin Klein is a sex therapist and a Registered Psychologist. She is co-founder and co-director of the West Coast Centre for Sex Therapy in Vancouver, BC. Her clinical work involves assisting individuals, couples, and other partnership configurations to build and strengthen sexual and relational intimacy; overcome sexual shame and anxiety; and bring more joy and curiosity into sexuality. She regularly provides workshops and presentations to the general public designed to increase sexual awareness, comfort and pleasure. She is also heavily involved in training graduate students and other professionals in evidence-based sex therapy.
Dr. LORI BROTTO
PHD Registered Psychologist, Professor of Obstetrics/Gynaecology, UBC
Dr. Lori Brotto holds a Canada Research Chair in Women’s Sexual Health, and dedicates her time to research, clinical care, teaching, and mentoring trainees in sexual health. She authored two books on mindfulness and sexual desire, and has co-developed an online sexual health program, eSense, which will be available soon!
Dr. Melanie Altas
Gynaecologist and Clinical Associate Professor Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, UBC
Dr Melanie Altas is the Director of the BC Centre for Vulvar Health at VGH and a Sexual Medicine Consultant at the BC Cancer Agency. Her current clinical practice is dedicated to vulvovaginal conditions, sexual pain disorders and menopause. Dr. Altas is committed to empowering women with education and tools to heal themselves. Aligned with her professional mission to promote patient-directed care, Dr. Altas regularly collaborates with community health care providers and patient partners, to translate knowledge into practice and improve access to health services for individuals with undertreated conditions.
DR. JASON WINTERS
PHD Registered Psychologist/ Director
Dr. Jason Winters is a sex therapist and a Registered Psychologist. He's also the co-founder and co-director of the West Coast Centre for Sex Therapy.
When not waxing poetic about vacuums, shaking cocktails, or breaking himself on his bike or skis, Dr. Winters can be found sat across from his clients chatting about their sexual and relationship problems. Dr. Winters also sits on the Executive Council for the Society for Sex Therapy and Research, the preeminent clinical and research professional association for international experts in the area.
westcoastsextherapy.com
Dr. Laurie Mintz
Professor, Therapist, Author
Dr. Laurie Mintz is a feminist author, therapist, professor, and speaker whose life’s work has been committed to helping people live more authentic, meaningful, joyful—and sexually satisfying—lives through the art and science of psychology.
As an Emeritus Professor at the University of Florida, she teaches the Psychology of Human Sexuality to hundreds of undergraduate students each year.
She is the author of two popular press books—both written with the aim of empowering women sexually and both with published studies that women who read them enhance their sexual functioning: Becoming Cliterate: Why Orgasm Equality Matters and How to Get It and A Tired Woman’s Guide to Passionate Sex: Reclaim Your Desire and Reignite Your Relationship.
With this same goal of providing scientifically-accurate, sex-positive information to enhance female pleasure, Dr. Mintz also is oft quoted in the popular media and gives speeches nationally and internationally for both professional and lay audiences. In recognition of her sex-positive advocacy work, Dr. Mintz was named a 2023 Forbes 50 over 50 woman innovator.
Shirley Weir
Founder of MenopauseChicks.com
Shirley Weir introduces herself as a Menopause Chick. Now 55, her perimenopause journey began in her 40s. Sore boobs, sleep deprivation, depression and brain fog led Shirley to her doctor’s office, the book store and “Dr. Google,” but she was left feeling confused, overwhelmed and alone. Ten years ago, she launched MenopauseChicks.com onto the world stage to empower women to get curious about their health. As a fierce advocate for women’s health, Shirley teaches women hormone health, and also how to be their own best health advocate. Shirley is a TedX Speaker, a recipient of the YWCA Women of Distinction award, has tweeted for Oprah and speaks regularly to media. Her first book, MOKITA: How to navigate perimenopause with confidence & ease is an Amazon bestseller in women’s health. Her second book, FEEL AMAZING: An invitation to re-think perimenopause, menopause & postmenopause is a gift with purchase in retailers across the country in 2022 & 2023.
www.menopausechicks.com
Nasim Delfaninejad
Founder & Registered Physiotherapist
Nasim has advanced training and vast experience in Pelvic Floor physiotherapy and treatments of Painful Sex, Vulvodynia, and Vaginismus. She is passionate about improving Women's Sexual Health and is committed to remaining at the forefront of the pelvic health practice through ongoing education and research
CHERYL LEIA
PELVIC HEALTH PHYSIOTHERAPIST
Cheryl Leia has extensive experience in pelvic floor health. From pelvic pain to sexual challenges, she has solutions to help women regain their confidence.
Kim Vopni
Vagina Coach
Vagina CoachKim Vopni is a self-professed kegel maven and is known as The Vagina Coach. She is a certified fitness professional who became passionate about spreading information on pelvic health after the birth of her first child over 18 years ago.She is an author, a passionate speaker, and a women’s health educator. Her most recent book Your Pelvic Floor is a bestseller. She is also the host of the popular podcast Between Two Lips.Kim offers pelvic health programs and coaching for women and is also a menopause support practitioner.
Sarah Leong
Registered Physiotherapist (Pelvic Health and Clinical Pilates)
Sarah works in two private practice clinics in Vancouver, and she is passionate about treating pelvic pain in individuals of any gender. Sarah uses her background in biopsychosocial research and mindful movement to facilitate learning about all areas that can affect the pelvis. She believes that open discussions about pelvic health and exploration of what moves our pelvic floor (alongside how we can make it more fun!) improves overall wellbeing for her patients, and that normalizing pelvic treatments in physiotherapy clinics increases access to innovative health solutions.
ROBIN HILTON
SEX COACH
Robin Hilton (she/her) supports women to have a celebratory relationship with their bodies, pleasure & sex.
Her lifelong passion is to help women confidently express their most authentic selves, to let their guard down so they can shine brightly and confidently in all areas of their lives but most importantly in their capacity to experience the deep joy of embodiment and sexual pleasure.
Robin's work as a Pleasure Expert & Feminist Sex Coach blends the power of personal experience with current best trauma-informed practices in the fields of sexual health coaching & education.
Catherine Roscoe Barr
Wellness Coach
Catherine is a neuroscience-based wellness coach and founder of The Life Delicious, empowering women leaders to reclaim their time and rediscover wellness. The Life Delicious is applied neuroscience for everyday wellness and joyful longevity – an evidence-based curriculum of sustainable practices, grounded in pleasure, to liberate ourselves and others from suffering. Catherine offers women's coaching circles, co-ed retreats, corporate workshops and keynote speeches; is a certified personal trainer, fitness instructor and coach practitioner; and writes about fitness, food and travel for numerous publications including Montecristo, Canadian Living, WestJet Magazine, BC Business and BC Living. She currently lives in Vancouver with her fabulous husband, delightful daughter and adorable dog.
Cindy Scharkey
RN, BSN
Cindy Scharkey RN, BSN is a healthcare professional leading educational conversations about sexual health.
Passionate about breaking the silence surrounding women’s sexuality and pleasure, Cindy offers education and resources through her newsletter, blog, workshops and private consultations. She is also the host of the Permission for Pleasure Podcast.
Cindy is on a mission to equip women with the content and confidence they need to express, experience and enjoy their sexuality.
Shauna Burns-Thomson
MSc., Registered Clinical Counsellor
Shauna Burns-Thomson is a Registered Clinical Counsellor specializing in sex therapy, trauma and related disorders. Founder of Lavender Lane Holistic Counselling & Sex Therapy Services in the Fraser Valley, BC, Shauna assists individuals and couples from all over Canada as they seek to identify and release harmful sexual narratives while striving to have their juiciest and most pleasurable sex yet! Shauna is passionate about breaking down the stigma associated with discussing sex and pleasure, and can be found online @FraserValleySexTherapist or starring monthly on The Tea With KG podcast’s “Sex with Shauna” series. Shauna takes a holistic and trauma-informed approach to promoting sex-positivity, and enjoys working with a diverse and inclusive population.
serena haines
Certified Sex Coach & Somatic Sex Educator
Serena Haines has been helping people with Sex and Intimacy Coaching through BodyWork, personal coaching sessions, workshops, and live appearances for close to a decade. As well, you can find her hosting Just the Tip Radio Show on 88.1CKDU FM at 9pm on Friday nights.
Serena has a background in Psychology at Memorial University of Newfoundland and is a former Paramedic in Nova Scotia. Serena has also trained through the Institute forSomatic Sex Education in British Columbia as a Somatic Sex Educator, has studied Clinical Sexology through SexCoachU and has a Sex Coaching Certification (CSC, SXI) through the Sexology Institute of San Antonio. Serena is also certified through The Gottman Institute Level 1&2 for relational coaching.
Serena's mission is to bring awareness to the importance of sexual health as much as we have an awareness of mental and physical health. “Our sex energy is our life energy and is meant to be expressed and cultivated without shame, taboo or stigma...and a lot of fun!”
Dr. Teesha Morgan
Psychotherapist
Dr. Teesha Morgan is a Psychotherapist, published author, adjunct professor, TEDx speaker, and co-founder and director of the Westland Academy of Clinical Sex Therapy and Westland Therapy Group. Dr. Morgan specializes in Sex Therapy and couples counselling and has had a successful full-time private practice for over 15 years.
Sacha Rockliffe
Registered Clinical Counsellor, Sexual Health Educator, and Certified Clinical Sexologist
Sacha Rockliffe (she/her) is passionate about sexual health and wellness, and committed to providing inclusive, anti-oppressive, and trauma-informed care and education. She practices Feminist Therapy — an integrative approach that applies to clients of all genders — and recognize how individuals’ wellness and functioning are influenced by their social, cultural, and political identities and experiences. She specializes in helping clients with intimacy and connection, relationship concerns, and 2SLGBTQIA+ related issues.
If you are interested in working with Sacha, please visit www.sacharockliffe.com.
Sabrina Baldini
Sex Educator & Sex Coach
Sabrina is a self-described "sex-nerd" and lover of all things sexual health. She has an advanced degree in Sexual Health with a designation in Sex Therapy and has been involved in sex education for 10+ years. Sabrina has worked as an educator in Toronto and abroad teaching menstruation and period equity and has worked as a rape and trauma counsellor.
Over the years, Sabrina has learned that adults have just as many questions as children do about sex. She believes we all have a lot to learn and she has a lot to teach!
Her ambition and passion for sexual literacy is clear on her podcast - After Sex Ed.
Justin Paulsen
Justin Paulsen (he/him) is a virtually based Psychotherapist, Couples Counsellor, and Clinical Sexologist. For the better part of his life, he has been learning and training how to help people of all genders and sexual expressions tackle some of the confusing and difficult parts of life. He specializes in areas such as sexuality, desire/libido concerns, relationship conflict and intimacy building along with erectile dysfunction and ejaculation issues.
He is passionate about helping people in and out of relationships find pleasure and connection in their
personal and partnered sex lives. He believes we are all complex, well-rounded human beings. and therefore. a holistic and integrative approach to finding pleasure and healing is most effective. His work is tailored to his client’s needs, based on how they identify as a person and what has or hasn't worked for them already.
Together with Justin, you can start to tackle some of your own sexual concerns, look at what’s keeping you stuck, and explore what possible ways there are to move forward.
You can check out Justin's practice at westlandtherapy.com.
Francesca Williams
is a Registered Nurse, Canadian Certified Counsellor and a Board Certified Clinical Sexologist based out of Kelowna BC.
She began her career as a labour and delivery nurse, where she became inspired to promote the mental health aspect of sex and reproduction.
Francesca wears many hats and continues to practice as both a nurse and a therapist, taking a solution-focused approach to her work.
Aurora Roberts
(BA, MA, DipC), Experiential Sex Educator & Intimacy Coach
Aurora teaches about sex in a playful, soulful and hands-on way, offering well-honed skills in the sensual arts and creating a safe, supportive container for clients to discover their innate erotic gifts and capacity for pleasure and connection. Aurora has a Masters in Sociology, a Diploma in Counseling and is a certified Somatic Sex Educator and Sexological Bodyworker. She works with individuals, couples and groups of all genders, both online and in-person in Vancouver and Victoria BC. Aurora has successfully supported hundreds of clients to overcome sexual blocks and rediscover pleasure, boundaries and the healing power of touch.