The Sensate Space

The Sensate Space

The Sensate Space is a psychologist-led podcast with bite-sized episodes dedicated to chronic intimate pain conditions and the role of psychology, including nurturing wellbeing and connection, feeling safe and working with the nervous system, and building a treatment team. We’ll talk about the psychological experiences and symptoms of pelvic pain and sexual pain conditions including dyspareunia (painful intercourse), vaginismus, vulvodynia, genito-pelvic pain/penetration disorder (GPPPD), and link these with ideas from ACT and DBT therapy, and polyvagal theory.

Episodes

  1. 04/10/2024

    Sexual pain myths: Top 5 pieces of bad advice for vaginismus

    Have you been told to "just relax" or "have a glass of wine?". Yup, that's not helpful - and we talk about why (and more) in this episode about the harmful myths surrounding genito-pelvic pain disorders like GPPPD / vaginismus. From misguided counsel by well-meaning loved ones to uninformed guidance from professionals, we address the damaging advice commonly encountered. Learn why these misconceptions are harmful and gain insights into the lived experiences of those affected. Listen in to equip yourself with the knowledge needed to challenge these myths and foster a supportive environment for everyone impacted by genito-pelvic pain conditions. SHOWNOTES: ⁠⁠https://www.thesensatespace.com/POD7⁠ FREE GUIDE FOR PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS: ⁠⁠https://thesensatespace.com/empowered/⁠⁠ (for people with anxiety + pain with pap smear and similar). STICKERS + HELPFUL THINGS: ⁠⁠https://thesensatespace.com/shop/⁠⁠ IMPORTANT: This is a psychology podcast about vaginismus and other pelvic and sexual pain disorders, and related issues (genito-pelvic pain/penetration disorder, dyspareunia, vulvodynia, painful intercourse, gynaecological pain, sexual dysfunction, chronic pelvic pain) for the purpose of education and collaboration; it’s not therapy or medical advice. Information is general in nature and does not replace individualised assessment or treatment advice. Please seek professional support tailored to your specific needs. If you or someone you know is in crisis and needs help now, call triple zero (000). You can also call Lifeline on 13 11 14 — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Please see our ⁠⁠About⁠⁠ page for more information.

  2. 03/27/2024

    Teamwork Makes the Dream Work: Building Your Pelvic Pain Treatment Team

    Feeling stuck with your progress? Wondering what your option for pelvic pain treatment support might be? In this episode we discuss: The importance of a team approach in treating pelvic and sexual pain conditions (like GPPPD/vaginismus, endometriosis). Three main points to consider when building your treatment team: trial and error, changing treatment needs over time, and co-occurring conditions. Which professionals to consider including in your treatment team and why Barriers to accessing a treatment team. SHOWNOTES: ⁠⁠https://www.thesensatespace.com/POD1⁠ FREE GUIDE FOR PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS: ⁠⁠https://thesensatespace.com/empowered/⁠⁠ (for people with anxiety + pain with pap smear and similar). STICKERS + HELPFUL THINGS: ⁠⁠https://thesensatespace.com/shop/⁠⁠ IMPORTANT: This is a psychology podcast about vaginismus and other pelvic and sexual pain disorders, and related issues (genito-pelvic pain/penetration disorder, dyspareunia, vulvodynia, painful intercourse, gynaecological pain, sexual dysfunction, chronic pelvic pain) for the purpose of education and collaboration; it’s not therapy or medical advice. Information is general in nature and does not replace individualised assessment or treatment advice. Please seek professional support tailored to your specific needs. If you or someone you know is in crisis and needs help now, call triple zero (000). You can also call Lifeline on 13 11 14 — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Please see our ⁠⁠About⁠⁠ page for more information.

  3. 03/20/2024

    Release and relax with extended exhale breathing

    This episodes explores the potential of extended exhale breathing, a simple technique used for reducing tension, relaxing your body, and promoting overall well-being. Whether you're seeking stress relief, managing tight muscles, or simply looking for a daily boost, this method can be a helpful tool. I talk about the mechanics of extended exhaling, its impact on nervous system regulation, and identify recent scientific studies supporting its effectiveness. Join in to learn how you can incorporate this technique into your daily routine. This episode was designed to support people with pelvic and sexual pain (e.g. GPPPD, vaginismus, vulvodynia). SHOWNOTES: ⁠⁠https://www.thesensatespace.com/POD1⁠ FREE GUIDE FOR PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS: ⁠⁠https://thesensatespace.com/empowered/⁠⁠ (for people with anxiety + pain with pap smear and similar). STICKERS + HELPFUL THINGS: ⁠⁠https://thesensatespace.com/shop/⁠⁠ IMPORTANT: This is a psychology podcast about vaginismus and other pelvic and sexual pain disorders, and related issues (genito-pelvic pain/penetration disorder, dyspareunia, vulvodynia, painful intercourse, gynaecological pain, sexual dysfunction, chronic pelvic pain) for the purpose of education and collaboration; it’s not therapy or medical advice. Information is general in nature and does not replace individualised assessment or treatment advice. Please seek professional support tailored to your specific needs. If you or someone you know is in crisis and needs help now, call triple zero (000). You can also call Lifeline on 13 11 14 — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Please see our ⁠⁠About⁠⁠ page for more information.

  4. 03/13/2024

    Making informed healthcare decisions: Using your B.R.A.I.N. to consent

    In this episode, we discuss navigating informed consent using a simple yet effective tool: the B.R.A.I.N. acronym. Whether you're faced with healthcare decisions for yourself or a loved one, understanding the Benefits, Risks, Alternatives, Intuition, and the option of doing Nothing can help you to make confident and informed choices. This episode was developed to support people with sexual pain conditions such as GPPPD/vaginismus/vulvodynia/dyspareunia/endometriosis to safely advocate for themselves and navigate healthcare experiences. SHOWNOTES: ⁠⁠https://www.thesensatespace.com/POD3 FREE GUIDE FOR PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS: ⁠⁠https://thesensatespace.com/empowered/⁠⁠ (for people with anxiety + pain with pap smear and similar). STICKERS + HELPFUL THINGS: ⁠⁠https://thesensatespace.com/shop/⁠⁠ IMPORTANT: This is a psychology podcast about vaginismus and other pelvic and sexual pain disorders, and related issues (genito-pelvic pain/penetration disorder, dyspareunia, vulvodynia, painful intercourse, gynaecological pain, sexual dysfunction, chronic pelvic pain) for the purpose of education and collaboration; it’s not therapy or medical advice. Information is general in nature and does not replace individualised assessment or treatment advice. Please seek professional support tailored to your specific needs. If you or someone you know is in crisis and needs help now, call triple zero (000). You can also call Lifeline on 13 11 14 — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Please see our ⁠⁠About⁠⁠ page for more information.

  5. 03/06/2024

    What is GPPPD? Sexual Pain Symptoms Explained (Vaginismus, Dyspareunia)

    In this episode, we're discussing Genito-Pelvic Pain/Penetration Disorder (GPPPD), a female sexual dysfunction condition. GPPPD combines dyspareunia and vaginismus, affecting around 14-34% of pre-menopausal women. We'll discuss various symptoms, including pain during intercourse, fear of pain, and the emotional impacts. This condition varies from person to person. For more on managing GPPPD and access to resources, including a free eBook guide, visit our website. SHOWNOTES: https://www.thesensatespace.com/POD2 FREE GUIDE FOR PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS: https://thesensatespace.com/empowered/ (for people with anxiety + pain with pap smear and similar). STICKERS + HELPFUL THINGS: https://thesensatespace.com/shop/ IMPORTANT: This is a psychology podcast about vaginismus and other pelvic and sexual pain disorders, and related issues (genito-pelvic pain/penetration disorder, dyspareunia, vulvodynia, painful intercourse, gynaecological pain, sexual dysfunction, chronic pelvic pain) for the purpose of education and collaboration; it’s not therapy or medical advice. Information is general in nature and does not replace individualised assessment or treatment advice. Please seek professional support tailored to your specific needs. If you or someone you know is in crisis and needs help now, call triple zero (000). You can also call Lifeline on 13 11 14 — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Please see our About page for more information.

  6. Season 1, Episode 1 Trailer

    Sneak Peek into The Sensate Space: Psychology & Pelvic Pain

    This show is dedicated to chronic intimate pain conditions and the role of psychology, including nurturing wellbeing and connection, feeling safe and working with the nervous system, and building a treatment team. We’ll talk about the psychological experiences and symptoms of pelvic and sexual pain conditions (like GPPPD/Vaginismus, vulvodynia, dyspareunia, and endometriosis) and link these with ideas from acceptance and commitment therapy, dialectical behaviour therapy, somatic practices, and polyvagal theory. SHOWNOTES: ⁠https://www.thesensatespace.com/POD1 FREE GUIDE FOR PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS: ⁠https://thesensatespace.com/empowered/⁠ (for people with anxiety + pain with pap smear and similar). STICKERS + HELPFUL THINGS: ⁠https://thesensatespace.com/shop/⁠ IMPORTANT: This is a psychology podcast about vaginismus and other pelvic and sexual pain disorders, and related issues (genito-pelvic pain/penetration disorder, dyspareunia, vulvodynia, painful intercourse, gynaecological pain, sexual dysfunction, chronic pelvic pain) for the purpose of education and collaboration; it’s not therapy or medical advice. Information is general in nature and does not replace individualised assessment or treatment advice. Please seek professional support tailored to your specific needs. If you or someone you know is in crisis and needs help now, call triple zero (000). You can also call Lifeline on 13 11 14 — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Please see our ⁠About⁠ page for more information.

Trailer

About

The Sensate Space is a psychologist-led podcast with bite-sized episodes dedicated to chronic intimate pain conditions and the role of psychology, including nurturing wellbeing and connection, feeling safe and working with the nervous system, and building a treatment team. We’ll talk about the psychological experiences and symptoms of pelvic pain and sexual pain conditions including dyspareunia (painful intercourse), vaginismus, vulvodynia, genito-pelvic pain/penetration disorder (GPPPD), and link these with ideas from ACT and DBT therapy, and polyvagal theory.