Dr. Jennifer Vencill on "Desire"
Schedule
Mon Mar 23 2026 at 06:00 pm to 07:00 pm
UTC-04:00Location
Morgenstern Books & Café | Bloomington, IN
In partnership with the Kinsey Institute, Jennifer Vencill on "Desire: An Inclusive Guide to Navigating Libido Differences in Relationships"About this Event
For this event, Dr. Vencill will be joined in conversation by Jessica Hille, JD, PhD, Assistant Director of Education for the Kinsey Institute.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Desire invites readers of all ages, genders, sexual orientations, and relationship structures to shed the shame and misinformation that surround the topic of sex and instead learn from 2 certified sex therapists about how libido really works. Desire differences are one of the most common relationship issues, yet, with fewer than 1,100 certified sex therapists in the country, it can be difficult to find help. This essential book breaks the mold of the sex self-help genre, which typically focuses only on cisgender women.
Through the authors’ expert guidance readers will learn about
- embracing a more expansive definition of sex,
- identifying various factors that can impact libido,
- managing anxiety around sex (one of the biggest libido killers),
- the structural oppressions—from cisnormativity to heteronormativity to compulsory sexuality to minority stress—that affect our libido,
- and much, much more.
It rejects the narrow, heteronormative, “staircase” model of sex—a way of thinking where many relationships get stuck. It integrates evidence-based relationship therapy techniques for better communication around sex.
Included are dozens of techniques, exercises, checklists, and journal prompts for readers to use at their own pace to fit their needs, including mindfulness, body mapping, and sensate focus. Whatever your identity, sexual practices, or reason for picking up this book, Desire will help you reach your personal sexual health goals.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Jennifer Vencill, PhD, (she/her) is an assistant professor, board certified clinical health psychologist, and AASECT certified sex therapist at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. She is dually appointed in the Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, as well as the Division of General Internal Medicine, where she spends the bulk of her time providing integrated sexual health care and educating fellows, residents, and medical students about the importance of sexual and gender health. Her research focuses on sexual health and health disparities in marginalized sexual and gender communities. She also publishes in the area of sexual health and cancer survivorship. Dr. Vencill is co-author of the new book, Desire: An Inclusive Guide to Navigating Libido Differences in Relationships. You can connect with her on Instagram @drjennifervencill
Where is it happening?
Morgenstern Books & Café, 849 South Auto Mall Road, Bloomington, United StatesUSD 0.00



















