Enrollment Closed

Email us at [email protected] to be added to the waitlist.

The Buehler Institute Virtual SAR

September 8-9, 2023
AASECT Approved for 14 Hours of Powerful Online SAR Goodness!
Presented by:
Stephanie Buehler, PsyD, CSTS
Natasha Helfer, LMFT, CSTS,
& Ruby Bouie Johnson, LCSW, LCDC
A Facilitated Tour Into the Mysteries of Sex...

Getting the Kinks Out:
A VIRTUAL SAR EXPERIENCE


  • Friday, September 8th, 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM PST
  • Saturday, September 9th, 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM PST

14 Hours of Juicy Content for
$659 $579 if you sign up by August 15, 2023!

Presented by: Stephanie Buehler, PsyD, CSTS, Natasha Helfer, LMFT, CSTS, & Ruby Bouie Johnson, LCSW, LCDC*

Enrollment limited to keep the workshop a safe and intimate experience, don't lose out--sign up now!
Write your awesome label here.
*Please note the instructors are subject to change, depending on enrollment numbers.

Early Bird Pricing: SAVE $80!

Enroll by August 15, 2023 for early bird pricing!
Save more by paying in full or choose a payment plan.
Early Bird Pricing
$579
or
3 payments of $199 billed every 2 weeks
Pricing after August 15, 2022
$659
or
3 payments of $229 billed every 2 weeks

Do You Know Your Biases?

Take a SAR and You'll Find out!

How do we experience our own sexuality? What about the sexuality of others? Do you understand today’s sexual attitudes and behaviors? How does thinking about, observing, or experiencing that landscape make you feel? 

The Sexual Attitude Reassessment (SAR) workshop is a unique experience designed to help professionals confront and understand their countertransference to sexual material brought in by the client. Our workshop is designed to be inclusive of all kinds of people engaged in all kinds of behaviors--behaviors that may make sense, or that may be confusing. A SAR stimulates sex-positive discussions and questions, questions that may or may not be answered within the context of the workshop. Both Dr. Buehler & Natasha Helfer are experienced SAR leaders and have decades of experience as psychotherapists between them. Both are AASECT certified sex therapists and supervisors of sex therapy. Natasha is expert at navigating issues related to religion and culture, while Stephanie has written a broad textbook about sex therapy and sexuality for mental health professionals.

In order to keep the workshop intimate, we will limit enrollment. For the same reason, we may announce additional instructors. We may break into dyads, triads, quads, or dozens after considering behavior in sexually explicit material*, or answering questions about sex. We will process our responses and delve into our biases. We will consider the experience of those we are observing, the experience of being the observer, and the experience of being observed by the therapist. We will do this in an ethical, professional environment where openness is valued and confidentiality is maintained.

Feel free to contact us with questions using the form at the bottom of the page or email us directly at [email protected]

*Nobody is required to watch sexually explicit material, but you are required to participate in discussions. And yes, listening is also participating.

A Unique Growth Experience!

People who take a SAR generally emerge with new self-knowledge about their own sexuality. This helps them be more open-minded and compassionate of those clients whose experience of sexuality may be very different from their own.

When we are unable to acknowledge or be in touch with our own misconceptions about the broad span of human sexual behavior, we can end up projecting guilt and shame onto others. Nobody wants that!

Write your awesome label here.

Who Can Benefit from a SAR?

The SAR experience can help anyone in the sexual or mental health field understand sexual attitudes, values, and beliefs.

The SAR is for:
  • Psychotherapists: Psychologists, MFTs, LPCs, LCSWs, MSWs, psychiatric nurses
  • Health care providers: Physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, physical therapists
  • Sex educators of all types, from family planning to college and university instructors

What's In It For You? Dip In And Find Out!

The aim of the SAR is to desensitize sex educators, counselors, and therapists so that they can be fully present and open to sexual material of all types. The SAR is designed to be a space for exploring attitudes, values, and beliefs about sex in self and others.

Our SAR includes exposure to sexually explicit material. No one will ever be forced to look at material if it goes against personal values to do so. We encourage everyone, however, to participate in discussions whether or not they have viewed the material.

We do not share what is in the SAR in advance of the experience because we want you to have an authentic response in the here and now. We hope that you will trust our professional judgment in bringing you a meaningful workshop that will enhance your understanding of sexuality.

All You Need to Bring Is an Open Mind...

Meet Your SAR Facilitators

Frequently Asked Questions

Is your SAR AASECT approved?

Yes. LearnSexTherapy.com is sponsored by The Buehler Institute, which is an approved institutional provider for AASECT.

Will you offer other types of CE, e.g., APA?

The SAR experience is unique to AASECT, and we are only able to offer AASECT CE to those who have completed the SAR experience. If you are seeking coursework that results in APA, NBCC, or CA Board of Nursing CEs, please see our Course Page.

Can anyone take the SAR?

Graduate students and professionals who want to become AASECT certified must take a SAR. Professionals who cannot meet the AASECT residency requirement but who are enrolled in one of The Buehler Institute's programs are welcome to attend.

Can I take the SAR if I am in a program from another AASECT provider?

Of course! We do give our program members an early alert when enrollment opens, though, so don't hesitate!

Why is your SAR 10 hours instead of 14 hours or more?

We decided to meet what was the minimum requirement for AASECT certification purposes because it allowed busy professionals to arrive Friday afternoon, stay all day Saturday, and fly out. AASECT recently changed the requirement to a 14-hour minimum, which begins January 2022. Enjoy the convenience of a 10-hour SAR!

Is the SAR completely online?

Yes. Due to COVID we will only be offering an online SAR experience. We may offer live SAR experiences in the future.

Who the heck are Stephanie Buehler, Natasha Helfer, and Ruby Bouie Johnson?

Dr. Stephanie Buehler is a licensed psychologist and Natasha Helfer is an LMFT, and both are Certified Sex Therapists and Supervisors of Sex Therapy. Ruby Johnson recently went through our program and offers valuable perspective and insight on African American sexuality and kink. Between them they have over 45 years of experience in the field and have lead many types of groups, including past SARs. Dr. Buehler is Director of LearnSexTherapy.com by The Buehler Institute and is the author of What Every Mental Health Professional Needs to Know about Sex, 3rd ed. For more about our team, see our About Us page.

Will there be sexually explicit material?

Yes. We have carefully curated sexually explicit material and show it not to titillate but to make certain points about human sexuality. The Buehler Institute SAR is designed to make you think about people and the diverse range of sexual expression and experiences. You are not required to watch the material, but you are required to participate in discussion.

What if I am triggered by the SAR?

We will do our best to give a trigger warning before showing certain material, but we cannot predict who might be triggered or what materials may prove triggering. At times, activation by a certain material or experience is a surprise to everyone involved. You will have the opportunity to process material in small groups, in pairs, and as a whole group. You may also send a private message to Stephanie, Natasha, or Ruby. Finally, we encourage you to identify either another certified AASECT member or a supervisor with whom you can further discuss your response after the SAR experience is completed.

What is the refund policy?

Due to AASECT requirement to limit SAR attendance, the policy is no refunds after October 7th unless we have someone to take your place from our waitlist.  Sorry, there are no make-ups available for future dates.  We do charge a $50 fee for refunds to cover the payment platform processing fee and our labor.  Thank you for understanding.

Do you offer any financial assistance?

LearnSexTherapy.com is committed to expanding access to education and professional development.  To ensure that the learning and working environments we shape are inclusive in serving all people, we are pleased to offer financial assistance to members of traditionally marginalized groups.  If you identify as a member of a marginalized group (including but not limited to: individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic backgrounds, gender identities, sexual orientations, and/or disabilities), and would like to request financial assistance to attend this SAR, please email us at [email protected] for information about DEI scholarships.

Course Lessons

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LearnSexTherapy.com by
The Buehler Institute

The Buehler Institute was created to provide the highest quality training in human sexuality for mental health professionals and healthcare providers. Its founder, Dr. Stephanie Buehler, is a licensed psychologist and author of a bestselling sex therapy textbook, among others. Our educational programs are designed to help people seeking AASECT certification in an effective and engaging format.

We are located virtually but our mailing address is:
31677 Virginia Way, #9327 Laguna Beach, CA 92651

The best way to reach us is by email: [email protected]

Here is our phone number. 800-769-0342

For fastest service email us.
The Buehler Institute is approved as a provider of continuing education by the following agencies. Many states licensing boards will accept CEs from these agencies for license renewal. It is, however, the responsibility of the enrollee to inquire with their state licensing board.
The Buehler Institute is an institutional provider for the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT). Provider #12-138-Q.
Although the SAR is only available for AASECT continuing education hours, The Buehler Institute is approved as a continuing education provider by the American Psychological Association (APA), National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC), and the CA Board of Nursing (CA BSN).

Still have questions?  Need an information packet?

We strive to offer good customer service. Either a support team member or Dr. Stephanie Buehler will get back to you ASAP. Also check out our FAQ page for quick answers to many questions.

Not into forms? Email us at [email protected].

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