Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Jennifer Scott.
Hi Dr. Jennifer, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I began working in community health in the late 90s, providing HIV/STI prevention and education for youth-serving organizations. While advancing my formal education, I became more involved in program development and program evaluation. As my skills grew and my network expanded, I was drawn to begin offering consulting services and educational offerings to support a variety of topics under the larger umbrella of sexual health education programs.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I think the biggest struggles have been taking the necessary time to create meaningful offerings while also maintaining full-time employment and the taboo nature of the subject matter. Sexual health is not only a sensitive subject for many, it has also become politicized and controversial.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am often asked what it means to be a sexual health educator and why this work is important to me. I specialize in education for adolescents and young adults. With the lack of sexual health education in schools, this population leans toward friends and the internet for much of their information.
My approach to sex education centers around addressing those questions that many of us have but are too embarrassed to ask. All responses are delivered through a sex-positive viewpoint and infused with humor, lightheartedness, and of course, supported by medically accurate information. This means that we can discuss just about anything related to sex and sexuality. Sexual health is much more than the physical act of sex; it encompasses all aspects of us being able to show up as our authentic selves. This includes our values, emotions, knowledge, and our relationship to self before we ever engage in the physical act.
I am a Certified Sexuality Educator through the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists, as well as a Certified Health Education Specialist through the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing. I completed the Sexual Health Certificate Program at the University of Michigan School of Social Work, earning a certificate in Sexuality Counseling and Sexuality Education. I received my Ph.D. in Health Studies/Community Health from Texas Woman’s University and hold both an MPH and BS in Community Health from Indiana University, Bloomington. I have over 20 years of practical and academic public health experience.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts, or blogs that help you do your best?
I am an avid reader of sexual health education books, and a list of some of my favorites can be found on my website.
To list a few here are:
Come as You Are by: Dr. Emily Nagosi,
Becoming Cliterate by: Dr. Laurie Mintz
Tell me What You Want: Dr. Justin Lehmiller
Another all-time favorite is The Gifts of Imperfection by: Dr. Brene Brown
Some of my favorite podcasts include one that I co-host with Dr. Erika Simpson and Valon Alford called This is Sex, as well as Sex & Psychology, hosted by Dr. Justin Lehmiller.
For parents of school-aged children, a great resource is the website Sex Positive Families.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.deardrj.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dear_dr.j/
- Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/drjenniferscott
- Other: https://linktr.ee/Drjscott?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=191e10dd-3c0f-49c6-9c1f-c30850847070
