About Northern Lights: a Canadian Home for Sex Therapy Education

Northern Lights is Canada’s first and only professional development organisation focused exclusively on sex therapy.

We train counsellors, psychotherapists and allied health professionals to support your clients around sexuality, with training that is evidence-based, applied and deeply human.

Because conversations about sex, sexual difficulties, gender and relationships belong in every therapy room – and deserve the same expert holding as anxiety, grief or trauma.

For too long, Canadian clinicians seeking this depth of training have had to piece it together or look abroad.

Northern Lights offers you world-class sex therapy education – right here in Canada.

It all Began in 2014 …

When two clinicians in British Columbia – Dr Teesha Morgan and Constance-Lynn Hummel – grew frustrated with Canada’s lack of credible sexuality education for therapists.

So they created the Westland Academy for Clinical Sex Therapy.

The school quickly became known as a beacon of thoughtful, inclusive professional development.

A decade later, Westland merged with the Allura Sex Therapy Centre – a clinical practice and training centre founded by sex therapist Diana Sadat.

The new school formed what would eventually become Northern Lights.

Closing the Canadian Sex Therapy Gap: Diana’s Story

Diana didn’t set out to run a national sex therapy school.

As an undergraduate considering specialising in anxiety counselling, she was taken aback when her mother said: “You’d make a good sex therapist”.

But it sowed a seed – and, four years and a US sex therapist certification later, she opened the doors to the Allura Sex Therapy Centre in Vancouver.

Training other therapists wasn’t part of Diana’s original plan.

It happened out of necessity.

As she expanded her practice to meet growing demand, she brought in new clinicians – talented therapists who were passionate about supporting clients.

But she quickly discovered they lacked the knowledge or skills to navigate sexual difficulties safely or competently.

At the same time, more and more clients arrived at Allura with stories of harm – having seen other ‘sex therapists’ whose training amounted to little more than a weekend course or a handful of books.

So what began as private mentorship within her group practice soon evolved into public-facing programs.

Diana still wasn’t trying to build a school, but to close the gap between the urgent need for skilled sex therapy support and the scarcity of high-quality training in Canada.

Over time, it became clear …

Canada needed a professional home devoted to building competence and confidence in sex therapy.

diana sadat sits with a stack of books on the topic of sex and sexuality for therapists

Northern Lights: Our Core Commitments

Integrity in Education

Sex therapy requires care – and ethical grounding

This work touches on vulnerability, trauma and identity. Our training is anchored in professional responsibility, clear clinical standards and meaningful supervision – so you can confidently explore sexual concerns with your clients without fear of crossing the line.

Rigour with Humanity

Good training is rigorous, not rigid.

We balance academic depth with relational warmth – creating structured, evidence-based learning where curiosity is welcomed and human complexity is explored. Knowledge is paired with reflection and application, so you can implement what you learn.

Community & Mentorship

Sex therapy requires care – and ethical grounding

This work touches on vulnerability, trauma and identity. Our training is anchored in professional responsibility, clear clinical standards and meaningful supervision – so you can confidently explore sexual concerns with your clients without fear of crossing the line.

Meet the Northern Lights Team

Diana Sadat

RCC, CST, CST-S

Founder & Lead Educator, Northern Lights

Owner & Director, Allura Sex Therapy Centre

I founded Northern Lights to create the kind of sex therapy education I wish had existed in Canada when I began this work.

I continue to practise clinically and to supervise therapists, so the programs I teach are shaped by what is actually happening in therapy sessions, not just by theory.

I’ve always felt comfortable having conversations about sex. But I know the shame, guilt, embarrassment and discomfort that can cause both therapists and their clients to tiptoe around it.

As an educator, I’m committed to changing that.

My hope is that in every therapy room, people feel able to speak openly about sex, gender or relationships, and are met with genuine interest and judgment-free support.

I believe that all therapists can build competence and confidence with the right foundation.

At Northern Lights, my aim is simple: to equip you with that foundation, so you can navigate whatever sexual concerns arise in your sessions with skill and humanity.

Professional Licensure & Degrees

  • AASECT Certified Sex Therapist (CST)

  • AASECT Certified Sex Therapist Supervisor (CST-S)

  • Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC), British Columbia

  • Master of Counselling Psychology, Adler University

  • My work is informed by extensive postgraduate training across sexuality, trauma, couples therapy and somatics, including:

    • EMDR Basic Training (Alivia Maric & Eve Wilensky)

    • Sensate Focus Fundamentals (Paula Leech) and We’re Just Too Busy: Sensate Focus for Couples (Linda Weiner)

    • Internal Family Systems (IFS) Level 1 and IFS for Trauma, Anxiety, Depression, Addiction & More (Dr. Richard Schwartz & Dr. Frank Anderson)

    • Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy Externship (Vancouver Couples & Family Institute)

    • Gottman Method Couples Therapy Level I and Treating Affairs & Trauma (The Gottman Institute)

    • Certificate in Holistic Sex Therapy (Institute for Sexuality Education)

    • Somatics in Complex Trauma (The Justice Institute of British Columbia)

    • Healing Trauma Level 1 (Integrative Somatic Therapy Practice)

    • 35-hour Clinical Supervision Foundations Course (City University)

    • Becoming an Anti-Racist (Dr. Nathalie Edmond)

    I have also served as Adjunct Faculty with Adler University and City University of Seattle, and worked as an Abuse Counsellor with adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse at Archway Community Services.

“Diana is passionate and absolutely wonderful, a pure gem. She has the ability to explain, describe, go deeper and navigate us through the whole complex area with such ease, kindness, compassion … I still have a long way to go but feel more confident after this rich and high quality training”

- Carole Foougeras

Ciara Moran

RCC, CST

Certified Sex Therapist | Co-Facilitator of The Sexuality-Competent Therapist: Foundations

In her private sex therapy practice, Ciara specialises in sexual trauma, low desire and pleasure reclamation. She is passionate about integrating bodies and joy into therapeutic work.

She loves sharing her sex therapy expertise with other clinicians. In addition to co-facilitating Northern Lights’ TCST Foundations program, she provides consultation and workshops for therapists seeking to deepen their skills in addressing sexuality concerns.

Professional Licensure & Degrees

  • AASECT Certified Sex Therapist (CST)

  • Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC), British Columbia

  • Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology

  • Ciara’s work is informed by advanced training in couples therapy, trauma and somatic approaches, including:

    • Psychobiological Approach to Couples Therapy (PACT) Level 1 Clinician (The PACT Institute)

    • Sex Therapy Certificate (The Buehler Institute)

    • Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Level 1 (Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Institute)

    • Emotion-Focused Couples Therapy Externship (Vancouver Couples & Family Institute)

    • AEDP Immersion Training (Canadian AEDP Society & Institute)

  • Paula Leech

    AASECT Certified Sex Therapist & Supervisor

    As sex therapist, supervisor and educator, Paula has over a decade of experience in private practice and training. She is the author of Overcoming Anxiety in Sex and Relationships and regularly presents at universities and institutes across the US and Canada.

Education Experts

  • Dr Lori Brotto

    Director, UBC Sexual Health Laboratory | Research Chair in Women’s Sexual Health

    Lori is a Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and a Registered Psychologist, specialising in women’s sexual health. She leads the UBC Sexual Health Laboratory and is internationally recognised for her contribution to sexuality research and training.

  • Dr. Caroline Pukall

    Clinical Psychologist | Director, Sexual Health Research Laboratory

    Caroline is a Clinical Psychologist and Professor of Psychology at Queen’s University, where she directs the Sexual Health Research Laboratory and the Sex Therapy Service. Her work bridges sexuality research and applied sex therapy training.

  • Dr. Cory Pedersen

    Human Sexuality Professor | Founder, O.R.G.A.S.M. Research Lab

    Cory is a Professor at Kwantlen Polytechnic University and founder of the Observations and Research in Gender and Sexuality Matters (O.R.G.A.S.M.) Research Lab. She is widely recognised for advancing research and education in sexology.

  • Marcy Dayan

    Registered Physiotherapist | Clinical Specialist in Women’s Health

    A registered physiotherapist and Clinical Specialist in Women’s Health, Marcy’s specialist expertise is in pelvic health, sexual pain and perinatal care. She combines clinical practice with teaching and research at the University of British Columbia.

  • Emily Sauer

    Founder, Ohnut | Sexual Health Advocate

    Emily is the founder of Ohnut, an intimate wearable designed to support people experiencing deep dyspareunia. As an entrepreneur and sexual health advocate, she connects professionals and communities through education and story.

  • Hardy Haberman

    Leatherman and Gay Activist | Author | BDSM Educator

    Active in the leather community since the 1970s, Hardy is a respected author, filmmaker and educator within the SM/Leather world. His work has been recognised internationally for its contribution to sexual freedom advocacy and education.

  • Redrobin

    Alternative Sexuality & BDSM Educator

    Part of the local sex and kink community since 2007, Redrobin is a Vancouver-based international presenter in alternative sexuality and BDSM. With a background in nursing, she loves sharing her passion for exploring the human body and mind with others.

  • Melody Anne

    BDSM & Kink Sex Educator

    With a background in psychology and sexuality studies, Melody is a self-described sensual adventurer and sex geek. She presents on topics including sexuality, invisible disabilities and consent in BDSM in academic and community settings.

  • Maureen McEvoy

    Certified Imago Therapist | Trauma Therapist | Educator

    Maureen is a Registered Clinical Counsellor specialising in complex trauma and dissociation. A Justice Institute of BC instructor, she teaches trauma skills to other counsellors. She also presents couples workshops as an Imago Relationship therapist.

  • Joe Ramirez

    Canadian Certified Counsellor | Certified Adlerian Psychotherapist

    Joe brings his expertise as a counsellor and Adlerian Psychotherapist to working with men, women and trans individuals on identity, sexual and relationship concerns. He also provides supervision and serves as an adjunct instructor at Adler University.

  • Dr. Ryan Flannigan

    Urologist | Senior Surgeon-Scientist

    As an Assistant Professor at the University of British Columbia, Ryan specialises in erectile dysfunction, Peyronie’s disease and male infertility. He is internationally recognised for advancing surgical and medical treatments for men’s sexual health.

Study Sex Therapy With Leaders in the Field

Northern Lights brings you the experts who are shaping the future of sexuality education.

Choose from self-paced courses, live sessions, supervision or our flagship 40-hour Foundations program – and learn how to navigate sexual concerns confidently, without leaving Canada.

EXPLORE OUR SEX THERAPY TRAININGS
EXPLORE OUR SEX THERAPY TRAININGS