Radical Body Compassion for Every Body: A Biopsychosocial Approach to Sexual Health

World Sexual Health Day takes place on 4 September 2026. This year’s World Association for Sexual Health (WAS) theme, Every Body, recognises that sexual health is lived in a body and influenced by the world around us, and that not all bodies have equal access to sexual health, wellbeing, rights, justice and pleasure. Written as two words, Every Body is about making all kinds of bodies welcome in the pursuit of sexual health.

This workshop explores the relevance of the Every Body theme for psychosexual and relationship therapists. Drawing on the principles of Radical Body Compassion, we will consider how people’s relationships with their bodies are shaped by social, cultural and relational experiences, and how these can influence sexual wellbeing, intimacy, desire, pleasure, self-worth and connection.

Using a biopsychosocial perspective, we will explore the physical, psychological, social and contextual factors that shape people’s experiences of their bodies and sexual health. Participants will be invited to consider how these experiences may present within therapeutic work, including how intersecting aspects can influence sexual wellbeing and access to care, and how therapists can respond with greater awareness.

The workshop will introduce the principles of Radical Body Compassion and explore how mindfulness- and compassion-based practices may support both therapists and clients. Through guided reflection, experiential exercises and case discussion, participants will develop insights to inform psychosexual assessment, formulation and therapeutic practice.

Seminar Schedule

2:00–2:10
Welcome, introductions and short arrival practice

2:10–2:30
World Sexual Health Day 2026 and the World Association for Sexual Health theme, Every Body.

Exploring the relevance of the theme to sexual health and psychosexual and relationship therapy practice through a biopsychosocial lens.

2:30–3:00
Introduction to Radical Body Compassion

• What we mean by Radical Body Compassion
• Recognising how power operates in systems such as social justice, body politics, body privilege and oppression in psychosexual work
• Applying a systems-orientation to what has historically been personal work to explore how social and cultural messages about bodies can be internalised and the influence on sexual health
• Introducing practices that help to identify when individuals may be critical of their responses to an environment, and how to zoom out and learn enough about the systems that create that environment to criticize the environment itself
• Introducing mindful compassion practices and their relevance to psychosexual work

3:00–3:30
Invitation to experiential trauma informed mindful compassionate practice

Compassionate body scan and enquiry.

3:30–3:45
Clinical applications in psychosexual therapy

Through a case study informed by Natasha’s clinical and research expertise, we will explore the intersection of neurodivergence and women’s health in psychosexual work.

3:45–3:50
Closing reflections and key takeaways.

3:50–4:00
Q&A