Reclaiming Pleasure: Dr. Eve on Reawakening, Desire & the Stories We’ve Been Told

Internationally respected clinical sexologist and trauma specialist Dr. Marlene Wasserman (known as Dr. Eve) will participate in the Women’s Wellness Experience for a deeply impactful session exploring how trauma, shame, and social stigma continue to shape women’s sexuality—and what true healing and embodied pleasure can look like.

“Female sexuality remains both an enigma and a stigma,” said Dr. Wasserman. “Whether women desire more sex or less, they are too often blamed, shamed, or misunderstood. This event is about creating a safe, informed space to shift that narrative.”

The session will address long-held taboos and myths, such as:

• The idea that women do not desire sex.
• The assumption that women inherently know what they want sexually.
• The erasure of solo pleasure, queer desire, and sexual agency.
• The false belief that trauma does not impact intimacy.

Dr. Wasserman also brings a trauma-informed lens to her work, unpacking how early life trauma disrupts a woman’s ability to feel safe in her body, trust others, or express desire.

“When a child is forced into self-reliance, it can make adult intimacy feel unsafe,” she explained. “Healing begins with acknowledgment, self-compassion, and being in spaces where we feel seen.”

Her approach blends evidence-based psychotherapy with emerging therapeutic modalities, such as Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP)—a legal, science-backed treatment for trauma and PTSD. While broader psychedelic therapies are still under review, ketamine is already transforming how trauma survivors reconnect with pleasure and agency.

“We cannot separate sexual wellbeing from emotional healing,” Dr. Wasserman notes. “Women deserve access to both.”

She also highlights the power of community. In September, she will launch Embodied Pleasure—a six-week facilitated group offering women a safe, confidential space to explore their sexuality through body-based practice, shared stories, and somatic support.

“Women gathering in safe spaces to talk about pleasure and pain—that’s revolutionary,” she said.

“That’s how we reclaim our bodies, rewrite the script, and step into intimacy with confidence.”

With tickets priced at R320 for early bird access, attendees are encouraged to book their spots through Quicket to ensure their participation in this transformative experience.

Weekend Argus