• Reissing, Elke D. Ph.D., C.Psych.

  

  Director, Human Sexuality Research Laboratory and Full Professor, School of Psychology

  Ph.D., C.Psych.

   

  Room: University of Ottawa, Vanier Hall, 4010
  Office: 613-562-5800 ext. 4944
  Work E-mail: Elke.Reissing@uOttawa.ca
  Fax: 613-562-5169

  • UNIWeb Professor Profile and Publications

   

  I am Professor of Psychology at the University of Ottawa and Clinical Supervisor at the Centre for Psychological Services and Research. I also have a private practice in clinical psychology serving the Ottawa/Gatineau region. I graduated with a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from McGill University in 2002 and joined the School of Psychology at the University of Ottawa. I am a member of the College of Psychologists of Ontario and numerous other national and international scientific and clinical organizations (e.g., IASR, ISSWSH, NVA, CPA, CSRF, SSTAR, etc.). I am on the editorial board of the Archives of Sexual Behavior, the Journal of Sexual Medicine, and the Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality.

  Research

  My particular research interests are the investigation of the causes and maintaining factors of pain associated with sexual activity and the diagnosis of vaginismus. I am also interested in how aging affects sexuality. In addition, we have other interesting projects that have been carried out or are under way in the HSRL. Find out more about recent and ongoing research projects. My research program is supported by funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada and is approved by the Research Ethics Board of the University of Ottawa. I have published the results of my research in North America and Europe and have presented my scientific work at national and international conferences. View a selection of publications on my UNIWeb profile listed above.

  In 2006 I received the Canadian Psychological Association President’s New Researcher Award.

  Clinical Practice

  I am a registered clinical psychologist with the College of Psychologists of Ontario. In private practice I provide services mainly for individuals with sexual or chronic pain problems. At the Centre for Psychological Services and Research, I supervise doctoral students in clinical psychology and sex therapy.

  Teaching

  At the School of Psychology I teach a number of graduate courses on sex therapy, basic clinical skills, and cognitive behavioural therapy for adults. I also teach the Human Sexuality undergraduate course at the University of Ottawa.

• Gravel, Emilie

  

  Work E-mail: egrav037@uOttawa.ca

  I am senior Ph.D. candidate in experimental psychology at the University of Ottawa. I completed my B.A. with Honours in Psychology at the University of Ottawa. For with honours thesis, I worked with Dr Marta Young in the Cross-Cultural Psychology Laboratory. My thesis examined the effects of culture, family, and religion on the sexuality Franco-Canadian emerging adults. My collaboration with Dr Young’s laboratory also gave me the opportunity to work on several projects examining the cultural determination of sexuality across five Canadian ethnic groups.

  For my doctoral research, I am exploring how Self-Determination Theory can provide a useful framework to understand sexual well-being. More specifically, I want to better understand the antecedents and consequences of self-determined and non-self-determined sexual motives. As the intersection of SDT and sexuality is in its beginings, many important questions remain to be answered.  For instance, does the extent to which our motives are self-determined or non-self-determined predicts our sexual well-being? If this is the case, how, for whom, and under what circumstances? Are men and women as likely to be self-determined or non-self-determined in their sexual motives? Does gendered sexual socialization contribute to sexual motives?  Further, if sexual motives shape our sexual well-being, then what are their predictors? Does the quality of our relationship with our sexual partner set the stage to our sexual motives?

  More broadly, my goal as a researcher is to establish bridges between social psychology and sexology. Sexuality is fundamentally a social behavior and a core part of our self, and although the study of sexuality is crucial to our understanding of the social person, it has received relatively little attention from social psychology research. However, these are exciting times as a growing number of researchers are bringing the study of sexuality to social psychology. 

  My passion for pedagogy has also brought me to teach a gender psychology course every Spring to high school students from 2010 to 2014 under the University of Ottawa Mini Course Enrichment Program. Through lectures, activities and lots of discussions, we examined the complex interplay of the biological, psychological, and social processes behind the determination of gender, and how being a gendered person shapes our experience as human beings, from our personality to our health, and of course, our sexuality! I have also been a teaching assistant for broad range of courses, namely Cross-Cultural Psychology, Human Sexual Behaviors, Special Topics in Human Sexuality, Psychology of Women, Research Methods and Ethics, Quantitative Methods in Psychology, and Social Psychology. I have also been a guest lecturer for the Psychology of Women, Human Sexual Behavior, Human Motivation, and Quantitative Method in Psychology I. For two consecutive years now, I have taught Research Methods and Ethics. I am truly proud to teach this course as not only does a research methods course allows us to understand the fundamental mechanics of scientific research, but more importantly, the critical thinking skills it allows us to acquire ultimately contribute to make us better person and better citizens.

  Being a member of the University of Ottawa community is important, I have therefore been closely involved with students associations and I actively participate in administrative committees for several years. I have been a member of board of directors of the University of Ottawa’s Graduate Student Association (2010-11; GSAÉD), a student representative on the Faculty of Social Science Council (2010-13), the School of Psychology’s Undergraduate Studies Committee (2010-12), and the School of Psychology’s Management Committee (2012-13). I have also been the Experimental Student Representative for the University of Ottawa’s Graduate Association of Students in Psychology (2012-13; GASP). In 2011-12, I founded and chaired the Psychology Outside the Box Conference, a national student interdisciplinary conference. I have also been a part-time professor representative for the University of Ottawa’s Association of Part-Time Professor of the University of Ottawa (2014-15; APTPUO).

  I am a member of the Sex Information and Education Council of Canada (SIECCAN), the Canadian Sex Research Forum (CSRF), and the International Academy of Sex Research (IASR).

  Email: egrav037@uOttawa.ca

  Publications

  Gravel, E. E., Young, M., Olavarria-Turner, & Lee, A. M. S. Ethnic differences in sexual guilt between Anglo-Canadians and Franco-Québécois emerging adults: The mediating roles of family and religion (2011). Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 20, 129-142.

  Emilie Eve Gravel (2014). “We’re stepping in to fill the gap left by the education system”A Formative Evaluation of Insight Theatre. Research report of a program evaluation conducted for Planned Parenthood Ottawa.

  Gravel, E. E., Pelletier, L G., & Reissing, E. D (2015). Validation of a Sexual Motivation Scale Grounded in Self-Determination Theory (under review).

  Gravel, E. E., Reissing, E. D., & Pelletier, L. G (2015). All Reasons to Have Sex are not Equal. A Model of Antecedents and Consequences of Sexual Motivation (under review).

  Gravel, E. E., Young, M. Y., Darzi, C. M., Olivarria-Turner, M., Lee., A. M.-S (2015). Sexual Socialization in Emerging Adults of South Asian Descent: The Role of Parents and Sexual Attitudes (under review).

  Conference Presentations

  VanZuylen, H., Gravel, E. E., & Reissing, E. D. (2015, June). For whom does sexual function matter? An analysis of peri- and postmenopausal women's sexual motivations, function, and distress. Poster presented at the meeting of the Canadian Psychological Association. Ottawa, ON.

  Gravel, E. E., Pelletier, L. G., & Reissing, E. D. (2015). The Sexual Motivation Scale (SexMS): A New Measurement of Sexual Motives Grounded In Self-Determination Theory. Paper submitted to 40^th Annual Conference of the International Academy of Sex Research, Toronto, ON.

  Gravel, E.E., Reissing, E., Pelletier, L. (2014). Not All Reasons to Have Sex Are Created Equal: A Self-Determination Theory Perspective on Sexual Motivation. Poster presented at the 41^th Annual Conference of the Canadian Sex Research Forum, Kingston, ON.

  Pomerleau, M., Gravel E., Reissing, E., & Pelletier, L. (2014). Sexualité et Bien-Être. Poster presented at the  36^th Annual Conference of the Société Québécoise pour la Recherche en Psychologie, Montréal, QC

  Gravel, E.E, Pelletier, L, & Reissing, E. (2013, May). Does Self-Determined Motivation Fuel the Engine of Sexual Well-being? Paper presented at the 2^nd Psychology Outside the Box Conference, Ottawa, ON.

  Gravel, E.E. (2013, May). The Sexual Self-Concept: Conceptualizations and Future Directions. Poster presented in June at the 74^th Annual Conference of the Canadian Psychological Association, Québec, QC.

  Gravel E.E. , Reissing, E., Pelletier, L. (2013, June). The Effects of Self-Determined Relational and Sexual Motives on Sexual Well-Being. Poster presented at the 5^th International Conference on Self-Determination Theory, Rochester, N.Y.

  Gravel, E.E., Young, M., Lee, A. M.-S., Olavarria, M., & Darzi, C. (2012, September). Family and Religion: Underlying Mechanisms Behind Ethnic Differences in Sexual Guilt Between Anglo-Canadians and Chinese-Canadians. Paper presented at the 39th  annual meeting of the Canadian Sex Research Forum, Ottawa, ON.

  Gravel, E.E., Young, M. Lee, A. M.-S., Olavarria, M., & Darzi, C. (2012, July). The Impact of Religiosity on HIV and STI knowledge: Is Sexual Guilt a Mediator? Poster presented at the 37th annual meeting of the International Academy of Sex Research, Estoril, Portugal.

  Darzi, C., Young, M., Gravel., E., Lee, A.M-S., et Olavarria, M. (2012, June). The Impact of Family on Sexual Attitudes and Behaviors of Second Generation South Asian-Canadians. Poster Presented at the 73rd conference of Canadian Psychological Association, Halifax, NS.

  Lee, A., Young, M., et Gravel, E. (2012, June). Determinants of Sexual Knowledge Among Second Generation Chinese-Canadians: The Role of Culture and Sexual Attitudes. Poster Presented at the 73rd conference of Canadian Psychological Association, Halifax, NS.

  Gravel, E., Young, M., Lee, A.M.S., & Olavarria, M. (2011, June). Guilty or not Guilty? The Influence of Gender, Parental Sexual Attitudes and Religiosity on Sexual Guilt in Anglo-Canadians, Franco-Ontarians, and Franco-Québécois Emerging Adults.Poster presented at  the 20th regional conference of the International Association for Cross-Cultural Psychology, Istanbul, Turkey.

  Lee, A. M.S., Young, M., & Gravel, E. (2011, June). Sexuality among Chinese Canadians, South Asian Canadians, and Anglo- Canadians: Do Family and Culture Matter? Poster presented at the 20th regional conference of the International Association for Cross-Cultural Psychology, Instanbul, Turkey.

  Young, M., Gravel, E., Olivarria, M., & Lee, A.M.S. (2011, June). L’Impact de la Culture, la Famille et la Religion sur la Culpabilité Sexuelle  des Franco- Canadiens. Poster presented at the 72nd annual conference of the Canadian Psychological Association, Toronto, ON.

  Lee, A.M.S., Young, M., Olivarria, M., & Gravel, E. (2011, June). Subjective Well-Being Among Second Generation Chinese- Canadians: Does Family and Culture Matter? Poster presented at the 72nd annual conference of the Canadian Psychological Association, Toronto, ON.

  Young, M., Lee, A., Olavarria, M., Gravel, E., & Cloutier, M. (2009, June). Contextualizing Canadian Sexualities Through Culture and Family: A Comparison Between Anglo-Canadians, Franco-Ontarians and Franco-Québécois

• Priede, Angela

  

  I am PhD. student in the Clinical Psychology program at the University of Ottawa. I completed a BA with honours in Psychology at St. Thomas University. For my honours thesis I investigated women’s experiences of feigning sexual pleasure. Specifically, this research employed qualitative measures to explore the ways in which women account for feigning orgasm/pleasure when engaging in consensual sexual encounters.

  While my research interests in the area of human sexuality are broad, I am particularly interested in sexuality as it pertains to individuals in later life. Some specific areas of interest include psychological, social, cultural, and relational factors that influence later-life sexual functioning, as well as institutional barriers to sexual expression in later life. As such, my doctoral research will focus on the factors that inform older adults’ expectations for sexual expression within the long-term care context. It will also aim to shed light on the barriers and supports that are in place to address these anticipated needs and expectations.

  In line with my interests, I have worked as a teacher’s assistant for the following courses: Human Sexual Behaviour (Psy3122), Advanced Studies in Human Sexual Behaviour (Psy4122), and Women and Mental Health (Seminar, Psy4433). I have also worked as a research assistant, under the direction of the Canada Research Chair for Qualitative Research, investigating the life experiences of older widows.

  Conference Presentations

  Priede, A., Bouaziz, R., Darzi, C., & Reissing, E. (2014, October). Institutional Policies and Practices Regarding Aging Residents’ Sexual Expression in Long-term Care: Staff Perceptions. Poster presented at the Canadian Sex Research Forum, Kingston, Ontario.

  Priede, A., Stelzl, M., & Lafrance, M. (2013, October). Counterfeiting Orgasm: Women’s Experiences of Pretending Sexual Pleasure. Poster presentation presented at the Canadian Sex Research Forum, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.

  Priede, A. (2013, May). He came, She feigned. Paper presented at the Science Atlantic Psychology Conference,St. Mary’s University, Halifax, N.S.

• Rogic, Anna

  PHD student

  B.A., M.A.

   

  Office: 613-562-5800 ext. 2220

  Anna Rogic is a graduate student in the combine MA/PHD program in clinical psychology at the School of Psychology at the University of Ottawa. She is a member of the Human Sexuality Research Laboratory. Her research focuses on women who are unable to experience vaginal intercourse. Specifically, she investigates the changes in formal diagnostic labels and the understanding of 'vaginismus' by the general public. she studies this question via Netnography. In addition, Anna's research focuses on access to treatment for vaginismus and queries the relative effectiveness of various interventions.

• Webb, Amy

  

  613-562-5800 ext. 2220

  I am a first year student in the Clinical Psychology MA/PhD program at the University of Ottawa. I have previously completed a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology at the University of New Brunswick, in Fredericton. Additionally, I have completed an Honours Equivalency Certificate in Psychology at Saint Mary's University, in Halifax, Nova Scotia. For my honours thesis, I inverstigated how the three components of word knowledge (i.e., semantics, orthography, and pronunciation) interact in memory, by addressing semantic effects on reading/spelling with children. Although literacy is not my main area of interest in psychology, through my thesis and directed study projects, I have become increasingly interested in research design.

  My background in psychology stems from evolutionary perspectives. My previous directed study projects have involved themes regarding mating strategies and Darwinian Aesthetics Theory. I have a very broad interest in human sexuality research, including topics in psychopathology, health, and dynamics of sexual/romantic relationships. In 2015/2016, I am excited to use my ecletic background of kinesiology and evolutionary psychology to establish a domain, within human sexuality research, to perform my doctorial research in years to come. 

• Armstrong, Heather

  

  Work E-mail: heather.armstrong@uOttawa.ca

  Dr. Armstrong is an Associated Researcher with the Human Sexuality Research Laboratory and a Part-Time Professor at the University of Ottawa. She graduated with a BA in Psychology and Critical Studies in Sexuality from the University of British Columbia in 2006 and a PhD in Experimental Psychology in 2014. She completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia.

  Dr. Armstrong’s research interests include motivations for sexual activity and the health and well-being of sexual and gender minority individuals.

  At the University of Ottawa, she teaches Human Sexuality (PSY 3122), Social Motivation (PSY 3109) and has taught Introduction to Applied Psychology (PSY 1102).

  Email: heather.armstrong@uottawa.ca

  Publications

  Refereed Journal Articles:

  Armstrong, H. L., & Reissing, E.D. (2015). Women’s motivations to have sex in casual and committed relationships with male and female partners. The Archives of Sexual Behavior. doi: 10.1007/s10508-014-0462-4

  Armstrong, H. L., & Reissing, E.D. (2014). Factor reliability analyses of the YSEX? in a sample of women with same-sex attraction. Sexual and Relationship Therapy, 29(3), 339-350.doi:10.1080/14681994.2014.920084

  Armstrong, H. L., & Reissing, E.D. (2014). Attitudes toward casual sex, dating, and committed relationships with bisexual partners. Journal of Bisexuality, 14(2), 236-264. doi:10.1080/15299716.2014.902784

  Armstrong, H. L., & Reissing, E.D. (2013). Women who have sex with women: A comprehensive review of the literature and conceptual model of sexual function. Sexual and Relationship Therapy, 28(4), 364-399. doi:10.1080/14681994.2013.807912

  Reissing, E. D., Armstrong, H. L., & Allen, C. (2013). Pelvic floor physical therapy for lifelong vaginismus: A retrospective chart review and interview study. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 39(4), 306-320. doi:10.1080/0092623X.2012.697535

  Reissing, E. D., Andruff (Armstrong), H. L., & Wentland, J. J. (2012). Looking back: The experience of first sexual intercourse and current sexual adjustment in young heterosexual adults.The Journal of Sex Research, 49(1), 27-35. doi:10.1080/00224499.2010.538951 

  MacIntosh, H., Reissing, E. D., & Andruff (Armstrong), H. L. (2010). Same-sex marriage in Canada: The impact of legal marriage on the first cohort of gay and lesbian Canadians to wed.The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 19(3), 79-90. 

  Andruff (Armstrong), H., Carraro, N., Thompson, A., Gaudreau, P., & Louvet, B. (2009). Latent class growth modelling: A tutorial. Tutorials in Quantitative Methods for Psychology, 5(1), 11-24.

  Book Chapters:

  Reissing, E. D., & Armstrong, H. L. (2014). Theoretical approaches to studying human sexuality. In C. F. Pukall (Ed.), Human Sexuality. Don Mills, ON: Oxford University Press.

  Reissing, E. D., & Armstrong, H. L. (2014). Sexuality over the life span. In C. F. Pukall (Ed.), Human Sexuality. Don Mills, ON: Oxford University Press.

  Armstrong, H. L., & Reissing, E. D. (2014). Same-sex marriage in Canada. In A. C. Michalos (Ed.). Encyclopedia of quality of life and well-being research (5634-5637). Dordrecht, Netherlands: Springer.

  Armstrong, H. L., & Michalak, E. E. (2014). Mood disorders and sexuality. In A. C. Michalos (Ed.). Encyclopedia of quality of life and well-being research (4120-4124). Dordrecht, Netherlands: Springer.

  Armstrong, H. L., Michalak, E. E., & Murray, G. W. (2014). Bipolar disorder. In A. C. Michalos (Ed.). Encyclopedia of quality of life and well-being research (408-412).    Dordrecht, Netherlands: Springer.

  Armstrong, H. L. Bipolar disorder. In D. H. Erickson (Ed.), Building Capacity for Psychotherapy in British Columbia: A Guiding Document. Unpublished report submitted to B.C. Ministry of Health, Mental Health & Substance Use Branch, November, 2013.

  Published Abstracts:

  Armstrong, H. L., & Reissing, E.D. (2012). Chronic vulvo-vaginal pain in lesbian, bisexual and other sexual minority women. The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 9(s3), 166-167. doi:10.1111/j.1743-6109.2012.02758.x

• Wentland, Jocelyn

  

  Work E-mail: jocelyn.wentland@uOttawa.ca

  To date, my research program has focused on various components of relationship initiation, including modern sexual relationships (One Night Stand, Booty Call, F*ck Buddies, Friends with Benefits), highly sexual women, and dating and technology (e.g., how technology is changing the modern dating script, whether or not meeting online or offline affects the trajectory of a new relationship). 

  Currently, I am an adjunct professor in Psychology at the University of British Columbia (Okanagan) in Kelowna, BC. I continue to supervise the University of Ottawa Sex and Relationships Research Group. We are examining how first sexual activity in a new relationship impacts the outcome of relationships based on whether or not the relationships begin online or offline.

  In 2014, I graduated from the Experimental Psychology program at the University of Ottawa. The title of my thesis was Not-so-casual sex: Definitions and scripts for modern sexual relationships. Before starting my PhD, I completed my Master of Science at the University of Guelph where I examined the main constructs that differentiate highly sexual women from less sexual women and for my Honours Psychology BA at the University of British Columbia (Okanagan), I examined reasons why women engage in casual sex. While in the School of Psychology at the University of Ottawa, I taught PSY3102 (Interpersonal Relationships), PSY3105 (Psychology of Adolescence), PSY3122 (Human Sexual Behaviour), and PSY4122 (Advanced Studies in Human Sexuality). 

  I am a member of the following organizations: Canadian Sex Research Forum (www.csrf.ca), Sex Information and Education Council of Canada (SIECCAN; www.sieccan.org) and the International Academy of Sex Research (www.iasr.org). I enjoy talking about relationships and sexuality to all types of people. I have done a short segment with LiVE 885FM on interesting sexuality research for the past 4 years.

  Please contact me if your organization or group has a speaking engagement that you think I would be a good fit.

  For more information, see www.sexcellente.com or www.sexresearchandthecity.com

  Email: jocelyn.wentland@uottawa.ca

• Cherner, Rebecca

  

  After graduating from McGill University in 2003, I joined the Human Sexuality Research Laboratory at the University of Ottawa as a research coordinator. I worked on a study that examined the willingness of clients consulting for psychological services to discuss sexual health problems with their therapist, as well as the prevalence of sexual dysfunction in clients of a community psychology clinic.

  I completed my Ph.D. in clinical psychology at the University of Ottawa in 2012. My doctoral thesis research was conducted through the Human Sexuality Research Laboratory and I examined how women who experience pain with intercourse or difficulties with vaginal penetration respond physically and emotionally to sexual stimuli. I also explored the sexual function, behaviour, and cognitions of women with lifelong vaginismus.

  I have also been involved in research and program evaluation at the Centre for Research on Educational and Community Services (CRECS) at the University of Ottawa since 2008. I am currently completing a postdoctoral fellowship at CRECS. My research at CRECS has focused on the mental health, physical health, and housing of vulnerable populations, in particular individuals who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness. I am also involved in program evaluation with community organizations and in healthcare settings.

  Publications

  Cherner, R., Aubry, T., & Ecker, J. (accepted). Predictors of the physical and psychological integration of homeless adults with problematic substance use. Journal of Community Psychology.

  Aubry, T., Cherner, R., Ecker, J., Jetté, J., Rae, J., Yamin, S., Sylvestre, J., Bourque, J., & McWilliams, N. (2015). Perceptions of private market landlords who rent to tenants of a Housing First program. American Journal of Community Psychology, 55(3-4). doi: 10.1007/s10464-015-9714-2

  Jetté, J., Aubry, T., Cherner, R., Ecker J., Yamin, S., & Bourque, J. (2014). La mise en œuvre d’une intervention Logement d’abord en région rurale canadienne. Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health, 33(4), 41-59. doi: 10.7870/cjcmh-2014-029

  Ecker, J., Aubry, T., Cherner, R., & Jetté, J. (2014).  Implementation evaluation of a Housing First program in a small Canadian city. Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health, 33(4), 23-40.doi:10.7870/cjcmh-2014-028

  Cherner, R., Olavarria, M., Young, M., Aubry, T., & Marchant, C. (2014). Evaluation of the organizational cultural competence of a community health center: A multi-method approach. Health Promotion Practice, 15(5), 675-684.doi: 10.1177/1524839914532650

  Cherner, R., Aubry, T., Ecker, J., Kerman, N., & Nandlal, J. (2014). Transitioning into the community: Outcomes of a pilot housing program for forensic patients. International Journal of Forensic Mental Health, 13(1), 62-74. doi: 10.1080/14999013.2014.885472

  Cherner, R., & Reissing. E.D. (2013). A comparative study of sexual function and sexual behavior of women with lifelong vaginismus. Archives of Sexual Behavior. 42(8),1605-1614. doi: 10.1007/s10508-013-0111-3

  Cherner, R., Nandlal, J., Ecker, J., Aubry, T., & Pettey, D. (2013). Findings of a formative evaluation of a transitional housing program for forensic patients discharged into the community. Journal of Offender Rehabilitation, 52(3), 157-180. doi: 10.1080/10509674.2012.754826

  Cherner, R., & Reissing, E.D. (2013). A psychophysiological investigation of sexual arousal in women with lifelong vaginismus. Journal of Sexual Medicine, 10(5), 1291-1303. doi: 10.1111/jsm.12102

  Conference Presentations

  Cherner, R., & Reissing, E.D. (September, 2012). There is more to it than intercourse: The sexual difficulties of women with vaginismus. Paper presented at the 39th Annual Meeting of the Canadian Sex Research Forum, Ottawa, Ontario.

  Ecker, J., Cherner, R., Nandlal, J., Aubry, T., & Pettey, D. (May, 2012). Findings of a Formative Evaluation of a Transitional Housing Program for Forensic Patients Discharged into the Community: Established Models, New Population. Poster presented at the Canadian Community Psychology Conference, Waterloo, Ontario.

  Kerman, N., Ecker, J., Cherner, R., Aubry, T., & Pandalangat, N. (May, 2012).Forensic patients no longer: Outcomes of clients in the Transitional Rehabilitation Housing Pilot. Poster presented at the Canadian Community Psychology Conference, Waterloo, Ontario.

  Cherner, R., & Reissing, E. (March, 2012). Sexual function and behaviour of women with lifelong vaginismus. Paper presented at the 37th Annual Meeting of the Society for Sex Therapy and Research, Chicago, United States.

  Jette, J., Aubry, T., Ecker, J., Cherner, R., Siriois-Leclerc, H. (June, 2011). Implementation of a Housing First approach in a rural area in Canada.  Poster presented at the 13th Biennial conference of the Society for Community Research and Action, Chicago, United States.

  Aubry, T., Cherner, R., Ecker, J., & Jette, J. (June, 2011). Implementation of a Housing First program in a small Canadian city. Paper presented at the 13th Biennial conference of the Society for Community Research and Action, Chicago, United States.

  Cherner, R., & Reissing, E. (October, 2010). The sexual health of women with vaginismus. Paper presented at the 37th Annual Meeting of the Canadian Sex Research Forum, Toronto, Canada.

  Cherner, R., Husne Ara, S., Nohra, G., Adan, F., Chibi, A., & Aubry, T. (May, 2010). A formative evaluation of the Civic Participation Training of the City for All Women Initiative. Paper presented at the National Conference on Community Psychology, Ottawa, Canada.

  Cherner, R., & Reissing, E. (October, 2008). The psychophysiology of the sexuality of women with vaginismus: Research proposal. Paper presented at the 35th Annual Meeting of the Canadian Sex Research Forum, Montreal, Canada.

  Burgess, M., Cherner, R., Mitchell, T., & Gruslin, A. (December 2008) Post Graduate Program Evaluation of the CanMEDS Framework at the University of Ottawa: An Innovative Model. Poster presented at the 37th Annual Meeting of the Association for the Professors of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Canada, Toronto, Canada.

  Cherner, R. & Reissing, E. (October, 2008). The Psychophysiology of the Sexuality of Women with Vaginismus: Research Proposal. Paper presented at the 35th Annual Meeting of the Canadian Sex Research Forum, Montreal, Canada.

  Cherner, R. & Reissing, E. (June. 2005). The prevalence rate of sexual dysfunction and client comfort in discussing sexuality in a clinical psychology practice. Poster session presented at the 66th Annual Canadian Psychological Association, Montreal, Canada.

  Cherner, R. & Reissing, E. (October, 2004).  Preliminary findings of a survey of the prevalence of sexual dysfunctions in individuals presenting for non-emergency psychological services. Paper presented at the 31st Annual Meeting of the Canadian Sex Research Forum, Fredericton, Canada.

• Robbins, A.-Rose

  

  Work E-mail: aboua102@uOttawa.ca

• Allen, Caroline, P.T.

• Cappeliez, Philippe, Ph.D.

• Henry, Lisa, M.A.

Lisa Henry is a licensed and registered sexologist, member of the Ordre professionnel des sexologues du Québec and the Association des sexologues du Québec (ASQ) since 1998. She is also a certified Sexuality Educator with the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (ASSECT). Her background includes a Bachelor's degree in Honours Psychology from the University of Ottawa (1995) and a Masters degree in Sexology (clinical profile) from the Université du Québec à Montréal (1998). 

She has been a part time professor with the School of Psychology at the University of Ottawa since 1999, teaching Human Sexuality and Interpersonal Relationships courses in both French and English.

In addition to teaching, Ms Henry serves as a guest speaker for academic and public presentations as well as an expert-consultant for publications on topics relating to sexuality and relationships.

• Huber, Jonathan, M.D.

Dr. Huber is a research collaborator in the Human Sexuality Research Laboratory. He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Canada with a specialty in Obstetrics and Gynecology, and holds an Associate Professorship at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine.

Dr. Huber graduated with dual undergraduate degrees in Biology and Psychology from the University of Ottawa in 1999. He then received his Master of Science in Human Sexuality at the University of Guelph in 2002 followed by his Medical Doctorate from Queen’s University in 2006. He completed his post-graduate residency training in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Queen’s University in 2011.

Dr. Huber currently has a clinical practice in general obstetrics and gynecology. His clinical and research interests include female sexual function, dysfunction, and genital pain disorders. He sits on the Executive Council of the Canadian Sex Research Forum (CSRF, www.csrf.ca) and the Board of Directors of Planned Parenthood Ottawa (PPO, www.ppottawa.ca). Additionally, he is a member of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada (SOGC, www.sogc.org) and the Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality (SSSS, www.sexscience.org).

• MacIntosh, Heather, Ph.D.

• Pelletier, Luc, Ph.D.

• Pukall, Caroline

• Riesen, Eleanor, Ph.D

Professor and coordinator of Year I and Year II of the BScN collaborative program between the University of Ottawa and Algonquin College.

What is vaginismus?

Vaginismus, or difficulties experiencing vaginal penetration, is a frustrating and distressing women's sexual health problem. Vaginismus affects a woman's enjoyment of sexuality, her quality of life, her relationships, and her gynecological health care.

Vaginismus is defined as a protective tensing of the musculature of the vaginal entrance that makes vaginal penetration during sex, with a tampon, and/or during gynecological examinations painful or impossible. Women with vaginismus typically fear the pain they associate with vaginal entry and they experience a significant degree of anxiety associated with the prospect of vaginal insertion. Some women expressly wish to engage in intercourse and are very motivated to resolve the problem, while others feel more ambivalent towards intercourse. Many women are able to enjoy other sexual activities if they know intercourse will not be attempted. However, some women do not enjoy any aspect of sexual touching.
 

What causes vaginismus?

Reliable prevalence rates for vaginismus do not exist, but health care providers recognize the problem as more frequent than previously assumed. The causes of vaginismus have received some research attention recently, but more research is clearly necessary to understand why some women develop vaginismus. Some of the causes that have been associated with the development of vaginismus are:

• pain with attempted intercourse
• negative experiences with vaginal insertion (e.g., invasive or insensitive medical exams, sexual abuse)
• lack of knowledge or uncertainty about sexuality
• strong negative thoughts about sex (disgust, fear of genital incompatibility)

How is vaginismus treated?

Treatment for vaginismus has traditionally focused on progressive desensitization to vaginal penetration. While some studies report very good outcome, a recent, carefully conducted treatment outcome study resulted in very conservative results with only 1/3 of the women having resolved their vaginismus following treatment. Innovative new approaches are very promising however. For example, working with a psychologist or sex therapist while also consulting with a pelvic floor physical therapist can improve treatment outcome considerably. Likewise, recent studies carried out in the Netherlands indicate that treating vaginismus like a specific phobia (much like phobias of spiders, etc.) with exposure therapy had significant benefits for the majority of women. Referrals of health care professionals treating sexual pain problems.

What is Vulvodynia? Vulvodynia is chronic or periodic pain located at the vaginal entrance or in the vulva area. Generally, two major subcategories are identified:

Provoked Vulvodynia (also known as Vulvar Vestibulitis Syndrome): The pain is localized at the vaginal entrance (the vestibule) and is triggered by touch, friction, or pressure (e.g., with tampon insertion, sexual intercourse, etc.). Generalized Vulvodynia (also known as Dysesthetic Vulvodynia): The pain is in various areas of the vulva. The pain is generally chronic, but pressure or friction can exacerbate the pain. The physical symptoms of vulvodynia typically include burning and stinging pain and a raw sensation in the vulva and vestibule. The pain is aggravated by sexual intercourse or prolonged sitting. Women may also experience pain and irritation during urination.

What Causes Vulvodynia? Women suffering from vulvodynia may show signs of redness in the vulvar tissues, which can also be inflamed, or the vulva may appear normal. This is problematic for women, and many receive an incorrect diagnosis. A careful discussion of the symptom history (e.g., Where is the pain? When does it start? How to describe it? What treatments have failed? etc.) can help achieve a correct and appropriate diagnosis with reference to treatments. Provoked vulvodynia can also be confirmed by palpation of the vulva and vaginal entrance to determine the location of the pain in the vestibular area. The risks of active infections or skin disorders (e.g., dermatoses) need to be carefully ruled out beforehand.

Vulvodynia is not caused by an active infection and is not a sexually transmitted disease. The cause of vulvodynia remains speculative. However, researchers have identified several possible causes:

• Injury or irritation of the nerves supplying sensation to the vulva.
• Past infection or trauma to the pelvic floor (e.g., fall, sexual abuse, chronic allergic reactions), which can cause abnormal changes in the vulvar cells.
• Pelvic floor problems such as lack of control over contraction and relaxation.

How is Vulvodynia Treated? Vulvodynia is a painful condition that significantly affects sexuality and quality of life. A multidisciplinary approach is usually effective for most women. Treatment may involve consultation with a gynecologist, dermatologist, neurologist, and psychologist for pain management and sexual therapy, and a physical therapist for pelvic floor rehabilitation. Many experts believe that a combination of pain management, sexual therapy, and pelvic floor therapy can be most beneficial. Women suffering from generalized vulvodynia also benefit from low doses of tricyclic antidepressants and gabapentin (a medication given for neuropathic pain). Vulvar vestibulitis can also be treated via vestibular surgery. Please click here for a list of professional references.

Some Tips to Reduce Pain - Don't Underestimate the Value of Conservative Treatment (!):

• Wear only 100% cotton white underwear; avoid panty liners.
• Avoid tight clothing and spandex/lycra garments.
• Try not to wear underwear when possible (e.g., at night).
• Avoid contact of the vulva with bath oils or scented products.
• Avoid using irritating chemicals and soaps in the vulvar area (wash with warm water only).
• Try using hypoallergenic detergents (e.g., Ivory Snow) and avoid fabric softener sheets completely.
• Never use over-the-counter vulvovaginal products (e.g., douches, yeast treatments [ask for oral medications like Diflucan]).
• Use water-soluble lubricants or pure vegetable oil during sexual activity (you can try different products to find a non-irritating lubricant that works for you).
• Cold compresses can soothe vulvodynia pain.
• A local anesthetic balm (i.e., EMLA cream) can help relieve pain.
• If your vulva is dry and itchy, get a prescription or ask your pharmacist to prepare the following compounded cream: 10GM Glycerin, 50GM distilled water, 40GM Aquaphor.

To Learn More About Vulvodynia

• National Vulvodynia Association
• Vulvodynia.Com