NORTHSIDE somatic sexology
SEX, SEXUALITY & EROTICISM
MASTURBATION & SELF-PLEASURE
SHAME & ANXIETY
EROTIC EMBODIMENT AND ORGASMICITY
IDENTITY & SENSE OF SELF
GENDER EXPLORATION & AFFIRMATION
RELATIONSHIPS & INTIMACY
CONSENT, BOUNDARIES & COMMUNICATION
Northside Somatic Sexology was launched with a commitment to offering Somatic Sex Education and Sexological Bodywork for queer and trans community. This includes gay, lesbian, bisexual, intersex, asexual, aromantic and questioning folks (if you think this offering might be for you, regardless of the language you use for yourself, it probably is).
All genders, bodies and abilities are welcome. We are friendly towards and literate around kink & BDSM, alternative relationship structures and sex work.
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Somatic Sex Education and Sexological Bodywork are body-based, client-led educational modalities that support individuals to explore their erotic body, deepen self-awareness, and expand their capacity for pleasure, consent, and choice. Unlike conventional bodywork approaches where the practitioner leads and the client remains passive, Sexological Bodywork invites the client to be actively engaged—learning to feel, choose, and communicate what they want in each moment. The emphasis is not on what is done to the body, but rather on supporting and developing the client’s skills and empowering them to reconnect with their own body’s wisdom, curiosity, and desires.
Every session is built around a clear learning objective and invites clients into a space where they can build skills, confidence, and capacity in their erotic lives—whether that’s learning to touch themselves with greater presence and pleasure, exploring boundaries, or growing their ability to ask for what they want. This work is not about creating dependence on a practitioner; it’s about supporting clients to take this learning into their own lives and relationships—with people of their choosing.
All sessions are guided by the SSEAA (Somatic Sex Educators Association of Australasia) Code of Conduct, with safety, professionalism, and consent at the core. All erotic or genital touch is strictly one-way (from practitioner to client), with the practitioner wearing gloves for any genital or anal touch. Depending on the client’s needs, the practice component of the session may take place on a massage table or in other supported positions that best serve the learning intention.
What to expect in a session
Sessions often begin with a brief grounding or body awareness practice and a discussion about how you are, what brings you here, and any relevant history.
We work together to identify an intention or learning objective for the session or our work together more broadly, and you’ll be offered some options for practices we might explore in service to that. Practices often involve the use of breath, sound, movement or placement of awareness, and may or may not involve touch (self touch or touch from the practitioner) depending on the learning objective.
Once we agree on what we’ll be doing and how (clothes on or off, touch or no touch, etc) you will be supported to experience and experiment with the chosen practice, guiding you to stay present and curious, usually pausing at regular intervals to check-in, discuss and adapt the practice as needed.
Nearing the end of the session there will be time for reflection, co-creation of a home practice to integrate and continue your learning, and discussion of possible next steps for future sessions.
POSSIBLE AREAS OF LEARNING & DEVELOPMENT
Please note: There are many practices and learning objectives that can be explored within Somatic Sex Education & Sexological Bodywork sessions beyond what’s captured below.
The services offered by Northside Somatic Sexology are educational in nature, and while they may have therapeutic benefit and are trauma-informed, they do not involve the diagnosis or treatment of trauma or other mental health conditions.
This work is best suited to those who are not currently in crisis or experiencing daily mental health challenges, and to those who already have some tools and strategies for managing any history of trauma or related challenges.
If you’re unsure about whether this service is a good fit for you feel free to get in touch and we can work it out together.
Those seeking therapeutic support rather than an educational approach may like to visit Tia Cloher’s somatic counselling website for more information about that service.