Dr. Marcy Brink Research Statement:

How can sex therapists help clients better understand what they need and want? How can they help clients overcome shame and communicate their authentic desires? Dr. Gina Ogden emphasized the value of integrating creative methods in therapy, showcasing how the inclusion of artistic experiences enriches exploration of desire and intimacy in clinical settings. 

Inspired by Ogden, this project, "Curotica: Navigating Desire Through Curated Erotica," will build a unique collection of photographs from the Kinsey Institute's archives. These images will then be included in a workbook designed for educators, intimacy counselors, sex therapists and their clients. The Kinsey Institute’s library, with over 80,000 collected images, offers a unique resource for creative interventions in the field of sex therapy. 

The Curotica workbook will offer a guided exploration of what erotica inspires in us; images will be accompanied by writing prompts, exercises and recommended resources to dive deeper into readers’ authentic reactions with the goal of helping clients become more conscious communicators. Rather than illustrating this workbook, the images themselves - ‘ars erotica’ - take center stage,  sparking curiosity and deep exploration. 

As part of my commitment to integrative methods as a sex and intimacy counselor, I bring my expertise in museum studies, anthropology and fine art photography to this project; this interdisciplinary approach will contribute to the curation of a collection that celebrates human variation through the representation of diverse bodies, interests and desires. With the support of the Kinsey Institute, the "Curotica" workbook can provide an innovative resource to the field of integrative sex therapy

Dr. Christopher Walling Research Statement: 

Dr. Christopher Walling's research project, "An Embodied Psychoanalytic Approach to the 4-D Model," seeks to bridge embodied psychoanalysis with the Four-Dimensional (4-D) model, as conceptualized by Dr. Gina Ogden. This innovative research aims to delve into the interplay between body, mind, heart, and spirit within the contexts of sex research and therapy, using the Kinsey Institute's resources to deepen the understanding of human sexuality, trauma, and healing. The project underscores the significance of bodily experiences in psychological development and therapy, arguing that somatic experiences are foundational to our psychic structures and relational dynamics. By merging this perspective with the 4-D model, Walling's work proposes a comprehensive framework that captures the complexity of sexual experiences and identities.  Additionally, Dr. Walling plans to author a book from this award that will help advance a synthesis of embodied psychoanalysis, offering historical insights, theoretical frameworks, and practical applications to provide new pathways for understanding and healing in human sexuality. His work aims to contribute significantly to the discourse on sex therapy and research, promoting a holistic understanding of sexual well-being that bridging the gap between mind and body, honoring Dr. Ogden’s legacy.