
Understand Your Nervous System and Responses
Learn how trauma lives in the body and how to gently shift from survival mode into regulation, safety, and presence.

Reclaim Desire and Pleasure
Explore what turns you on—and off—through science-based frameworks that honor your unique body, history, and healing process.

Build Tools for Real Connection
Practice emotional and relational skills that foster intimacy, communication, and deeper connection with yourself and others.
About the Course
This trauma-informed course series combines neuroscience, somatic education, personal experience, and sex-positive frameworks to support healing and growth. Each class weaves together education, guided exercises, reflection, and take-home practices. Whether you're new to this work or ready to deepen your journey, this series meets you with compassion, clarity, and care. Come to one class or join the full five-class journey.

About the Instructor: Marissa Zumbo
Marissa Zumbo (CSE) is a certified sex educator, trauma-informed coach, and EMDR practitioner. She specializes in helping individuals and couples heal from trauma, reconnect with their bodies, and experience more pleasure and authenticity in sex, relationships, and life.
Course Curriculum
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1
Class 1: Understanding Trauma and Its Impact on Pleasure
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(Included in full purchase)
Welcome!
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(Included in full purchase)
Download the Workbook
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Class Intro
- What is Trauma? Free preview
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The Impact of Childhood Trauma
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Trauma and the Brain
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Survival Instincts/Trauma Responses
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Question 1: Survival Instincts
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Neural Pathways
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Exercise: Square Breathing
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Exercise: 54321 Grounding
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Question 2: Exercise Reflection
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Trauma and the Body
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Question 3: Physical Symptoms
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PTSD and C-PTSD
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Question 4: PTSD
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Effects on Relationships
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Effects on Sex and Intimacy
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Question 5: Relationships and Sexual Experiences
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Joy and Intimacy
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Healing Modalities
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Exercise: Safe Space
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Question 6: Safe Space
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Ending
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2
Class 2: Reclaiming the Body: Reconnecting with Sensation & Pleasure
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(Included in full purchase)
Welcome!
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(Included in full purchase)
Download the Workbook
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(Included in full purchase)
Class Intro
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Trauma Summary
- Adverse Childhood Experiences Free preview
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Question 1: ACEs
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Generational Trauma
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Question 2: Generational Trauma
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Effects on Relationships and Sex Summary
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Treatment Methods
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Question 3: Treatment Methods
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Vagal Nerve
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Question 4: Vagus Nerve Exercise
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Somatics
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Exercise: Body Scan
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Question 5: Body Disconnection
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Why Journal?
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Breathwork
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Question 6: Belly Breathing
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Yoga and Movement
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Question 7: Small Movements
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Reclaiming Pleasure
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Question 8: Reconnect with Pleasure
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Ending
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3
Class 3: Healing in Relationships – (Re)building Trust, Intimacy & Connection
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(Included in full purchase)
Welcome!
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(Included in full purchase)
Download the Workbook
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(Included in full purchase)
Class Intro
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Relationship Qualities
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Question 1: Current Relationships
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Attachment Styles
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Question 2: Attachment
- Re-Enacting Old Wounds Free preview
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Question 3: Adaptive Responses
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Triggers
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Communication Styles
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Question 4: Communication with Conflict
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Nonviolent Communication
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Question 5: NVC Activity
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Boundaries
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Question 6: Boundaries Activity
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Romantic/Sexual Relationships
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Ending
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4
Class 4: Rediscovering Pleasure – Cultivating Sexual and Emotional Intimacy
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(Included in full purchase)
Welcome!
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(Included in full purchase)
Download the Workbook
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(Included in full purchase)
Class Intro
- What is Sex? Free preview
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Question 1: Define Sex
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Seven Aspects of Sexual Pleasure
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Orgasm Gap
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Question 2: Orgasm
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Why Have Partnered Sex?
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Question 3: Sex with a Partner
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Brakes and Accelerators
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Question 4: Brakes/Accelerators Activity
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Pleasure and Desire
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Responsive Desire
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Question 5: Desire Type
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Emotional Floorplan - Intro
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Emotional Floorplan - Lust
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Emotional Floorplan - Play
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Emotional Floorplan - Seeking
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Emotional Floorplan - Care
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Emotional Floorplan - Panic/Grief
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Emotional Floorplan - Fear
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Emotional Floorplan - Rage
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Emotional Floorplan - Bonus Spaces
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Exercise: Emotional Floorplan
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Erotic Mind
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Question 6: Pathway to Lust
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Erotic Blueprints
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Question 7: Quiz Results
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Intimacy in Long-Term Relationships
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Consent
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Question 8: Giving and Receiving Consent
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Bodies and Changes
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Further Practices
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Ending
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5
Class 5: Sustaining Healing: Building a Life of Pleasure & Connection
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(Included in full purchase)
Welcome!
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(Included in full purchase)
Download the Personalized Healing and Joy Plan
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Class Intro
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Core Values - Top 20
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Core Values - Top 10
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Core Values - Top 5
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Exercise: Core Values Meditation
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Core Values - Final
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Question Set 1: Core Values
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How to Use the Workbook/Plan
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Understanding Trauma and Its Impact on Pleasure - Survival Instincts
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(Included in full purchase)
Understanding Trauma and Its Impact on Pleasure - Arousal
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Understanding Trauma and Its Impact on Pleasure - Neural Pathways
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Question Set 2: Understanding Trauma
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Reclaiming the Body: Reconnecting with Sensation & Pleasure
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Question Set 3: Reclaiming the Body
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Healing in Relationships - Communication
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Healing in Relationships - Held Beliefs
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Question Set 4: Healing in Relationships
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Rediscovering Pleasure - Desire and Pleasure
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Rediscovering Pleasure - Reconnecting
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Question Set 5: Rediscovering Pleasure
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Make Your Plan
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Question Set 6: Making Your Plan
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Ending
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Student Testimonials
Students consistently describe this series as “life-changing,” “deeply validating,” and “a safe, empowering space to heal.”
I took a 5 part course on healing from trauma and its impact on pleasure that was delivered by Marissa. The course was very informative, inclusive to the varied needs and identities of the students, and fostered a safe environment for healing through self discovery awareness. I would recommend anyone in search of improving their sexual well-being or healing from trauma to chose Pleasure Sage Solutions.
Trauma Series Participant
I attended two classes of the Moving Through Trauma to Achieve Pleasure in Sex, Relationships, and Life series. It was great. I don't identify as having significant trauma in my past, but my wife was able to make some connections between how she was treated as a child and the cumulative effects of trauma. Ms. Zumbo provided a top notch seminar that made me feel like I was back in grad school. Her academic prowess is obvious. She weaves theories and research in with practical tools and experiences throughout the class. She sets the tone for a safe and vulnerable environment by being vulnerable herself and talking about her experiences. She's had traumatic and horrible experiences, and she used them to help become extremely knowledgeable, real, and helpful to others. Thank you for what you do, Coach Zumbo!
Individual Class Participant
I attended all classes and found as a series, they were very helpful. They built on each other quite well, but also seemed as though they would be good as stand-alone topics per class, should people have targeted needs or limited availability. My favorite part of the classes was the more interactive sections, be it ideation and mapping, or the more open forum questions and experience sharing. These moments helped to distill information into how it relates to our individual stories, and indeed how to map out next steps.
Trauma Series Participant
This was the first time I was really able to talk openly in front of others about what I've been through. It meant a lot knowing that others had been through similar things and that we could all relate to each other. Even joke and help other too.
Body Image and Sex Class Participant
Ready to Transform?
Ready to feel more alive, connected, and empowered? Join us for this transformative journey. Enroll in the full series or take individual classes—your healing starts with one courageous step.
$150.00