Pleasure is a human right. It is my belief that all individuals deserve comprehensive, good-quality information about sex and sexuality.” Lauren Elise Barnes

Through her decade of work in the maternal-health industry, Lauren developed a passion for guiding individuals and communities to new levels of knowledge and discernment. 

 

Though immensely fulfilling, her tenure of working with women from preconception - postpartum revealed a severe lack of sexual education. Then, after a divorce and subsequent liberation she became determined to unearth the roots of sexual oppression seen around her. 

 

In 2021, she returned to school to obtain a certification in Holistic Sex Education with the Institute for Sexuality Education and Enlightenment, whose program is approved by the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT). 

 

Seeking a positive and respectful approach to sex education, Lauren was thrilled that ISEE was founded to “facilitate a profound opening of our awareness while achieving the highest standards of professional development.” Through ISEE Lauren studied the lasting effects of trauma, disability, culture, and spirituality on human sexuality. 

 

Unlearning and expanding thought patterns can be challenging and vulnerable. By combining her decade of program development with her passion for transformative education, Lauren now specializes in creating containers that allow students to sit safely in discomfort while developing the tools necessary to support “pleasurable and safe sexual experiences, free of coercion, discrimination and violence.” (WHO)

 

Lauren was drawn to a Holistic Model of Sex Education because, like most, she learned about sex in a less than desirable way. Her gentle group courses and personalized individual education allow her students to walk away with “not only knowledge, but also a deeper sense of connection to themselves.” (ISEE)

 

With an extensive background in the performing arts, Lauren is thrilled to be able to harness her innate communication skills to teach and cultivate embodied education. While she’s “mostly retired,” she can still occasionally be found singing and dancing on regional stages; but mostly you’ll find her in her kitchen delighting (annoying) her partner and daughter with her theatrical antics.

 

Lauren adores welcoming anyone and everyone into her home for a bowl of soup and a glass of wine, but most days you’ll find her in her favorite place on earth, curled up with a cup of coffee and a new book.