I am a Psychotherapist, Teen–Young Adult–Parent Educator, Workshop Facilitator, and Self-Defense Instructor.
Consent Certainty Workshops
I teach and speak about what I call the "Consent Certainty Matrix." In this workshop, I take Embodied Consent concepts and practices and incorporate them into interactive experiences on college campuses and communities to empower participants to move beyond fear and defense and into clear and embodied self-knowledge regarding desire, communication of that desire, and expression. I feel that this model of embodied consent'and 'consent certainty' will inform all aspects of a person’s life well beyond the bedroom.
““I found all aspects of the workshop helpful, but particularly the stress on the idea that I don’t owe anyone anything. This idea will be helpful in all aspects of my life, not just my sexual experiences.””
““This workshop exceeded my expectations - consent has never been taught to me to this extent.””
Consent remains a difficult concept in practice for many. Often, teens and young adults confuse compliance with consent. Consent is usually taught and discussed as a mental or verbal process only. This workshop is built around a series of exercises that give structure and support for participants to deeply explore embodied (mind–body connected) consent. The goal is to create the space for participants to get their mind and body on the same page around issues of giving/receiving and taking/allowing touch and pleasure with fully embodied consent.
““I really learned that it’s really beneficial for your mind and body to align in decision making. I learned that its okay to receive pleasure because I am deserving of it.””
This workshop draws on the work of Dr. Betty Martin, Charlie Glickman, Ph.D., and my own work with therapy clients and self-defense students for over 25 years.
““The difference between arousal and desire really stuck out to me since it’s pretty easy to get them mixed up or assume they’re the same. This workshop helped remind me to be consciously in touch with my mind, body, and heart.””
I offer interactive workshops where participants explore embodied consent for both sexual interaction and for relationship interaction in general. This workshop can be taught in a compact basic way for 4 hours or can be taught in two 3-hour segments for a more in depth exploration of the material. I am an inclusive instructor and affirm all genders and sexual orientations. I strive to work intersectionally across difference with a lens towards social justice.
The workshop format will be interactive and will include touch (only of the forearms and hands) for the purposes of learning the skills. Participants will learn to identify, feel and voice their boundaries and desires so that these skills become transferable to their relationships. A true “yes” comes from knowing oneself deeply. “No” becomes more simple and assertive when an individual knows clearly from an assertive place of internal clarity what “yes” is.
““Very empowering, inspiring, knowledgable & respectful. Opened a new world for me.””
I am available to present lectures and workshops on your campus.
On college campuses, I present my Consent Certainty Workshop and also guest lectures focused more broadly on the needs of autonomous young adults as they further explore their own self-identity, sexuality, personal boundaries, and relationships within their communities and society at large. I have presented guest lectures and workshops on Embodied Consent Certainty, Self-Defense, and sexual assault at Eastern Michigan University, Kalamazoo College, Northwestern University, University of Chicago, University of Illinois Chicago (UIC), and the University of Michigan, among others. I am available to present guests lectures in courses in Social Work, Psychology, Nursing, and Women & Gender Studies, as well as extracurricular lectures and workshops through campus organizations, housing, or groups.
Workshop Evaluations from college students:
“I learned I don’t owe anyone anything - I can still be a good person and say no.”
“You do an amazing job helping us feel comfortable!”
“I liked how you would elaborate and talk about people’s observations & feelings rather than just lecturing.”
“I think this workshop very effectively discussed very important topics.”
“Consent vs. Compliance was so important to me.”
“Your enthusiasm and passion for this topic is very inspiring! Thank you.”
“I think more men need to be in this discussion. So many men feel entitled or are just ignorant to forms of consent and should learn from this.”
“Through a narrative that was both vulnerable and powerful, Ms. Sproull reminded us that the body is not an open book, but a sacred space that can be vandalized by forces of coercion and control. To this day, I reflect on this class and the way that it further inspired me to learn more about domestic violence.”
“I thought this workshop would be one of those ‘consent is a yes’ or ‘don’t rape people’ workshops (which are fine, but not always helpful for me) but I was pleasantly surprised. This was fun, engaging, and I learned a lot!”
“I really liked the candy activity because it helped me understand different intentions.”
“It met my expectations because you allowed for discussion, introspection, and ability for personal agency. I felt safe in the group and the environment.”
“I am improving my embracing of vulnerability and this came up often in this workshop.”
“Anyone interested in building relationships with other people would benefit from this workshop!”
“This allowed me to explore my own ideas of pleasure after growing up with no sexual education.”
“I learned I can say no. I can dictate how I interact. I can desire less pleasure than a partner and not feel wrong.”
“I learned techniques for checking in with my body and checking in with others.”
“I learned so much about consent and new ways to show consent, recognize consent, and give my consent.”
“I feel a lot more confident about asking for what I want and how I want it.”