Couples and Sexual Health Laboratory

Couples and Sexual Health Laboratory Research lab studying sexual and relationship well-being. Based in the department of Psychology & Ne Dr. Natalie O.

Rosen is the director of the Couples and Sexual Health Laboratory (CaSH). Dr. Rosen is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience at Dalhousie University. She is also cross-appointed to the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the IWK Health Centre. Dr. Rosen's current research interests focus on psychosocial factors affecting women’s sexual health and well-bein

g, with an emphasis on vulvodynia (chronic vulvar pain in women) which causes dyspareunia (painful intercourse). She is especially interested in how features of the romantic relationship affect the adjustment of couples dealing with this condition, as well as the effects of genital pain on the sexual and relationship functioning of couples. Another line of research investigates psychosocial predictors of genital pain during and after childbirth. Her research and clinical practice is multidisciplinary in nature and she has ongoing collaborations with psychologists, obstetrician-gynaecologists, anesthesiologists, dermatologists, physical therapists, and nurses. As a registered clinical psychologist, she has also practiced sex and couple therapy for the past 8 years. Dr. Rosen's research has been recognized by awards from the International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health (ISSWSH), the Canadian Sex Research Forum (CSRF), and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). She recently received operating grants from the CIHR and the IWK Health Centre.

Huge congratulations to Justin Shimizu and Kaylee Jabbour on their award-winning presentations at OBGYN Research Day! ✨J...
05/20/2026

Huge congratulations to Justin Shimizu and Kaylee Jabbour on their award-winning presentations at OBGYN Research Day! ✨

Justin Shimizu — First Place Award: Best Presentation by a Graduate Student

“Supporting the Transition to Parenthood Through Online S*x and Relationship Knowledge (STORK): A mixed methods feasibility pilot study among s*xual and gender/s*x diverse new parents”

Kaylee Jabbour — Second Place Award: Best Presentation by a Resident

“Predicting classes of s*xual desire trajectories in couples with medical infertility undergoing medically assisted reproduction”

Congratulations again on these well-deserved achievements! 💜

The CaSH Lab is hiring a research assistant/volunteer coordinator! This is a grant-paid, part-time position at Natalie R...
05/06/2026

The CaSH Lab is hiring a research assistant/volunteer coordinator!
This is a grant-paid, part-time position at Natalie Rosen's Couples and S*xual Health Research Laboratory at Dalhousie University, Halifax. Nova Scotia. 💜

This is a hybrid position that is largely based out of our lab, with some on-site recruitment on the Halifax Peninsula.

Interested in working in s*xual health research? Check out the link in our bio for more details about the position and how to apply. 📝

Applications close May 24th, 2026. 📅

Share this with anyone who may be interested!

✨New Infographic Alert ✨ Check out this infographic by Liah Simpson! Visit the link in our bio to read the full publicat...
05/05/2026

✨New Infographic Alert ✨ Check out this infographic by Liah Simpson! Visit the link in our bio to read the full publication!

Happy Volunteer Appreciation Week!We asked our three newest volunteers, Sarah, Liah, and Charlotte, to share a little ab...
04/24/2026

Happy Volunteer Appreciation Week!

We asked our three newest volunteers, Sarah, Liah, and Charlotte, to share a little about themselves. Swipe to get to know them!

A huge thank you to all of our incredible volunteers who make this research possible 💛

Did you know that s*xual well-being in parenthood is a shared experience, yet most support only targets one partner? At ...
04/17/2026

Did you know that s*xual well-being in parenthood is a shared experience, yet most support only targets one partner? 
At CaSH Lab, we’re working to change that💡 Swipe to learn more! 👉🏻

Infographic created by Maddy Torres.

✨New Infographic Alert✨ Check out this infographic by Alice Bourne. Visit the link in our bio to read the full publicati...
04/14/2026

✨New Infographic Alert✨ Check out this infographic by Alice Bourne. Visit the link in our bio to read the full publication!

03/21/2026

👣Are you a couple expecting your first baby?

🔍 We are seeking couples from Canada, the US, Australia, New Zealand, the UK, and Ireland who are up to 26 weeks pregnant to participate in the STORK RCT: Supporting the Transition to Parenthood through Online S*x and Relationship Knowledge.

❓What is STORK: The first online couple-based program designed to enhance knowledge about changes to s*xuality during pregnancy and postpartum and skills to cope with these changes. STORK was designed to strengthen couples’ relationships across the transition to parenthood.

📅 What is involved: If you are eligible, after your initial survey, you and your partner will be randomized (like a coin flip) into either the Program or Waitlist conditions. Program couples will complete 5 online modules in pregnancy (1 per week) and a final module at 3 months postpartum. Couples in both conditions will also complete 5 surveys—the initial survey, then at 32-weeks pregnant, and 4-, 8-, and 12-month postpartum—that gather information about your relationship, your pregnancy experience, and your child. Couples in the Waitlist condition will receive access to the full STORK program after the study period is over.

💰 Compensation: As a thank you for your participation, you will receive compensation. Your time is valuable to us!

🌈 Inclusivity matters: STORK requires one member of the couple to be currently pregnant. Otherwise, STORK is open to individuals of all genders, bodies, and s*xual orientations.

💌 To participate in the STORK RCT study, please scan the QR code (you can take a screenshot of this post, open it in your photo app, and click the QR code to be re-directed to the contact form). For more information contact us at STORK@dal.ca

March is Women’s* Health Research Month 💜🩵When health research doesn’t include or account for women and gender diverse p...
03/17/2026

March is Women’s* Health Research Month 💜🩵

When health research doesn’t include or account for women and gender diverse people, it leads to real consequences in care, access, and diagnosis.

Health outcomes should be guided by research, not assumptions.

At the CaSH Lab, we’re working to change that!
Check out our current studies (HOLD + STORK) and lab director Dr. Natalie Rosen’s accomplishments!

*Inclusive of cis women, trans women, and gender diverse individuals who identify at least in part with womanhood or femininity

Come visit us at the Pregnancy & Parenting Expo on April 19 in Halifax! 👶✨ At the CaSH Lab booth, you can learn more abo...
03/13/2026

Come visit us at the Pregnancy & Parenting Expo on April 19 in Halifax! 👶✨

At the CaSH Lab booth, you can learn more about our current studies and ways to support our research on s*xual well-being in the transition to parenthood 👣

Scan the QR code or head to the link in our bio to learn more and to purchase tickets 🎟️

📍 The Westin Nova Scotian
📆 April 19, 2026
🕙 10 AM – 4 PM

Cognitive Behaviour Group Therapy (CBT) for Painful S*x is a scientifically-based treatment program for women and gender...
03/11/2026

Cognitive Behaviour Group Therapy (CBT) for Painful S*x is a scientifically-based treatment program for women and gender diverse individuals. CBT focuses on how thoughts, feelings, and behaviours influence your pain and s*xuality. This is an active therapy where you will be asked to complete at-home exercises to help you practice the skills you learn.

10 weekly 1.5 hour group sessions held at Coastal Psychology located in 5991 Spring Garden Road in Halifax. Sessions will begin in Spring 2026!

Session topics include:
📚Education about conditions that cause painful in*******se
🛠️ Tools to reduce pain and its negative impact on life
💋 Materials to facilitate the experience of s*xual desire and arousal
💬 Skills training on communication with your romantic/s*xual partners
🔥 Help wth restoring s*xual pleasure and intimacy

Facilitated by Dr. Natalie Rosen, a Registered Clinical Psychologist and Professor of Psychology and Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Dalhousie University. Dr. Rosen specializes in s*x therapy with over 20 years of experience, including developing and testing many of the treatment techniques used in this program.

Self and clinician-referrals can be sent directly to Dr. Rosen at natalie.rosen@coastalpsych.ca

The fee for this program is $1200 (~$120/session, which is less than 50% of the cost of individual therapy). You will be provided a receipt for your records and to be submitted to private insurance.

👣Are you a couple expecting your first baby? 🔍 We are seeking couples from Canada, the US, Australia, New Zealand, the U...
02/27/2026

👣Are you a couple expecting your first baby?

🔍 We are seeking couples from Canada, the US, Australia, New Zealand, the UK, and Ireland who are up to 26 weeks pregnant to participate in the STORK RCT: Supporting the Transition to Parenthood through Online S*x and Relationship Knowledge.

❓What is STORK: The first online couple-based program designed to enhance knowledge about changes to s*xuality during pregnancy and postpartum and skills to cope with these changes. STORK was designed to strengthen couples’ relationships across the transition to parenthood.

📅 What is involved: If you are eligible, after your initial survey, you and your partner will be randomized (like a coin flip) into either the Program or Waitlist conditions. Program couples will complete 5 online modules in pregnancy (1 per week) and a final module at 3 months postpartum. Couples in both conditions will also complete 5 surveys—the initial survey, then at 32-weeks pregnant, and 4-, 8-, and 12-month postpartum—that gather information about your relationship, your pregnancy experience, and your child. Couples in the Waitlist condition will receive access to the full STORK program after the study period is over.

💰 Compensation: As a thank you for your participation, you will receive compensation. Your time is valuable to us!

🌈 Inclusivity matters: STORK requires one member of the couple to be currently pregnant. Otherwise, STORK is open to individuals of all genders, bodies, and s*xual orientations.

💌 To participate in the STORK RCT study, please scan the QR code (you can take a screenshot of this post, open it in your photo app, and click the QR code to be re-directed to the contact form). For more information contact us at STORK@dal.ca

Address

1355 Oxford Street
Halifax, NS
B3H4R2

Telephone

+19024944223

Website

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