SAR PARTICIPANT INFORMED CONSENT

Purpose of the SAR

The American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT) requires the completion of an attitudes/values training experience as part of the requirements for certification as an AASECT Certified Sex Educator, Counselor or Therapist. Certification candidates most often satisfy this requirement by participating in a Sexual Attitude Reassessment (SAR) seminar.

In addition to the AASECT requirements, health and wellness professionals, educators, and spiritual leaders benefit from a SAR to further understand and process their experiences and biases related to sexuality across the lifespan.

Description

A SAR is a process-oriented seminar that uses lecture, media, experiential methods, activities and small group discussions. The objective of a SAR is to give participants the opportunity to explore their attitudes, values, feelings and beliefs about sexual attitudes, behaviors and identities and how these impact their professional interactions. SAR is not a traditional academic experience to disseminate cognitive information, nor is it psychotherapy directed toward the resolution of personal problems. It is a psycho-educational processing experience, and as such is a highly personal, internal exploration that will be different for each participant. Small group discussions have demonstrated efficacy in achieving this self-exploration and awareness and is essential to the SAR process. SAR is not primarily for therapists, or educators, or medical professionals, or any specific group. This SAR is open to therapists, healthcare professionals, educators, somatic professionals, and spiritual leaders.

Information for Participants

SAR methodology differs from traditional teaching methods and the outcomes are not knowledge- based. Prospective participants must be given basic information about the SAR in writing in order to make an informed choice to participate. This is first given in publicity announcing the SAR (website, email, flyer, program announcement, etc.) Information to be given must include a general statement of the purpose, teaching methods, learning objectives, topics, the potential presence of sexually explicit media and language (including ability to opt out), duration, attendance and any additional requirements for completion. This information can be found throughout the workshop description, registration, and sales pages.

Program Goals

The primary goals for participants attending SAR seminars are outlined in the course objectives section of this lesson.

Time Requirements and Topics Covered

To meet AASECT standards the SAR must be a minimum of 14 hours in length. This SAR is 14 hours.

Required Topics Areas: sexual discourse, socio-cultural and intersectional considerations (including but not limited to gender, age, ability, economic class, race, ethnicity, religion, etc.), sex & aging/sexual development, spectrum of sexual orientation, varieties in sexual expressions and behaviors, BDSM/Kink, spectrum of gender identities, sexual and reproductive anatomy variations, sexuality and disability, masturbation, and consensual non-monogamy

Additional Topics Specific to this SAR: sexually transmitted infections and HIV, safer sex, contraception, abortion, religion and spirituality, the spectrum of sex work.

Centering

This SAR will center the experiences of people with marginalized identities. The facilitators will work to create a brave space for attendees to explore, process, and share. The facilitators will lead with love and compassion and ask that attendees do the same. The facilitators will leave judgement at the door. This is an opportunity for you to explore your own biases and edges, not to judge the biases and edges of others. We will disagree. Disagreements arise from a difference in values, boundaries, lived experience, and socio-economic status. The facilitators will listen to to concepts and beliefs different from our own and ask that attendees do the same. We trust each other to uphold the needs of our bodies, minds, and spirits and to make decisions that uphold self care.

We invite attendees to view and practice this Centering Exercise guided by activist and social worker Prentis Hemphill (link will open in Instagram) as a tool for nervous system regulation during the SAR.

Attendance and Participation

Attendees must be present for the entirety of the SAR To receive their certificate of attendance and continuing education hours. Attendees may opt out of a specific topic. In these circumstances a processing activity will be provided.

Confidentiality

Personal exploration and sharing are enhanced by participant confidentiality. Therefore, a all facilitators and attendees agree to uphold the confidentiality of the group. Facilitators will guide a confidentiality exercise at the opening of the program.

Media and Guest Speakers

A SAR is an integrated, sequential, graduated program. Therefore, participants are expected to attend all sessions of the SAR. A participant may elect to avoid viewing materials that are unduly emotionally laden or objectionable to them; however, participants are expected to attend all discussion sessions.

The purposes of SARs are enhanced by the use of media that is often emotionally evocative and/or sexually explicit. Attendees will have an opportunity to process their experiences related such media.

The purposes of SARs are enhanced by guest speakers. All guest speakers will be treated with respect. Attendees will have an opportunity to process their experiences related to guest speakers and the related topics.

Discussion Groups

During a SAR, participants are provided the opportunity to process responses to material and activities presented in the SAR. This is the time when personal reactions, attitudes, values, feelings and beliefs are shared and explored.

These opportunities happen primarily in small group formats that are facilitated by a an AASECT Certified Professional that has attended at least one SAR. Small groups will focus on the personal responses of the participants to the material that has just been experienced/presented. This is to clarify attitudes, values, feelings and beliefs while minimizing professional distance as a defense against such reactions. In addition, participants are asked to listen carefully to similarities and differences in points of view among their small group members. By doing so, participants can gain an understanding of differing attitudes, values, feelings and beliefs towards the same content/experience.

Informed Consent Statement

By registering for this SAR I understand that the focus of the SAR is for my personal reflection.

I understand that I will be asked to process my experiences and reflections in a facilitated small group format.

I understand that I will be exposed to sexually explicit materials which may include audio, video, demonstrations, and sexually explicit language.

I understand that this SAR will use sexually explicit material to facilitate the exploration and reflection process for at least 50% of the learning time.

I understand that all aspects of the SAR are confidential.