2026 Ashburton Group Sex Guide: Safety, Legality & Finding Partners

Retina.Dating — A Collective Exploring Psychology, Sex, and Dating Retina.Dating is a collaborative group of authors, therapists, and sex-psychologists who publish under a shared name. Founded in 2022, they aim to bridge rigorous psychological insight with real-world advice about dating, sexual relationships, and how to find compatible partners. Their work is deeply informed by both scholarship and lived experience. Who They Are The Retina.Dating collective includes writers with backgrounds in clinical psychology, sex therapy, evolutionary psychology, and relationship coaching. Rather than a single voice, Retina.Dating operates as a kind of “writing salon”: different authors contribute under the umbrella name, each bringing their own specialization. Some of their recurring contributors draw inspiration from established sex-therapists and researchers such as Stefani Goerlich, a licensed social worker and AASECT-certified sex therapist. Their tone is professional, yet warm and accessible — geared toward readers who want thoughtful but practical insight. How They Work The group meets regularly in virtual “retreats,” during which they workshop ideas for essays, podcasts, and guides. Each piece is peer-reviewed by at least two other Retina.Dating members to ensure both psychological soundness and sensitivity to real-life relational dynamics. They publish on their own website, but also syndicate commentary and advice pieces across third-party platforms. They maintain a shared social-media presence, where they engage with readers, answer questions, and host live Q&As. Topics They Cover The core themes of Retina.Dating include: Psychological foundations of desire: How attachment styles, self-esteem, and evolutionary motives shape our sexual and romantic behaviors. Healthy communication in dating: Tips for negotiating consent, setting boundaries, and having honest conversations about sex and needs. Finding partners: Advice for using dating apps, entering non-monogamous relationships, or navigating long-term commitment. Therapeutic insights: Drawing on clinical experience to unpack topics like mismatched libido, shame, trauma, and sex-positivity. Sexual ethics and inclusivity: Supporting diverse identities (LGBTQ+, kink, polyamory) and encouraging affirming, ethical connection. Their Approach and Expertise Retina.Dating’s hallmark is balancing academic rigor with compassionate accessibility. The authors regularly cite peer-reviewed research — for instance, studies on self-determined sexual motivation and relational quality :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0} — but always translate these findings into thoughtful, practical insights. They also maintain strong ethical commitments: they endorse the standards of professional networks, such as the European Federation of Sexology, ensuring their guidance aligns with leading sex-health principles. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1} Moreover, several contributors are clinical practitioners themselves or closely connected to therapy networks. For example, one frequent collaborator is Ellis J. Johnson, a psychotherapist specializing in gender, sex, and relationship diversity. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2} Where to Find Their Work Retina.Dating maintains an active online presence via social and professional platforms, as well as through partner sites. Some representative links include: GoodTherapy – where Retina.Dating authors have contributed guest articles on the differences between relationship therapy and sex therapy. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3} PinkTherapy – the directory page listing prominent sex and relationship therapists; several Retina.Dating writers are affiliated with or cited in this global network. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4} European Federation of Sexology (EFS) – Retina.Dating often references the ethical standards and educational resources from EFS in their work. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5} LinkedIn – the Retina.Dating collective also maintains a professional LinkedIn page (searchable under “Retina.Dating writers & therapists”) where updates, articles, and open calls for contributors are posted. Why Retina.Dating Matters In a digital age dominated by surface-level dating advice, Retina.Dating offers nuance — a carefully considered blend of psychology, sexology, and real talk. Their writing supports individuals who are navigating complicated emotional landscapes, seeking intimacy, or simply trying to understand their own desires. By combining clinical insight with the accessibility of a blog or magazine format, they make topics like non-monogamy, mismatch in desire, and healthy communication more approachable. For anyone curious about the deeper psychology of sex and dating — or looking for grounded, evidence-informed guidance — Retina.Dating is a valuable and trustworthy source.