Sessions Live 2026
Cultivating Aliveness: Desire & Its Disruptions
A live two-day event with Esther Perel
May 15-16, 2026
Online & In-Person in New York City
About the Event
Every day, we meet people stretched thin by the pace of contemporary life—partners who care for each other yet feel depleted, individuals navigating desire amid overwhelm, people trying to reconnect to themselves and others against a backdrop of pervasive uncertainty and disconnection.
Certain aspects of this landscape feel distinctly “of the now”; other aspects have been more or less the same since Esther Perel explored the paradoxes of modern love in her first book, Mating in Captivity, which this spring celebrates its twenty-year anniversary.
The questions that form the thesis of Mating are still as relevant today as they were then: Can we want what we already have? Why is the forbidden so erotic? When we love, how does it feel? When we desire, how is it different?
But new questions have emerged in the last two decades, chief among them: How do we cultivate aliveness in a time defined by disruptions?
Here, “disruption” holds a double meaning: the painful interruptions that drain connection, and the catalytic sparks—the moonshots—that push us to reimagine how we love.
Through clinical, cultural, and creative perspectives, Sessions Live 2026: Cultivating Aliveness: Desire & Its Disruptions explores how relationships are evolving, and how we can translate those insights into practice. Across two days, we’ll examine frameworks and interventions, introduce tools and rituals, and strengthen the skills practitioners need to help people restore curiosity, connection, and vitality. We’ll look at what has endured, what is emerging, and what we hope to build next for the future of intimacy.
Whether you’re a practicing clinician or curious mind, you’ll discover fresh insights and takeaways to help you connect and thrive in modern times at Sessions Live 2026.
- Esther’s proven tools & strategies
- Invaluable networking opportunities
- Interactive workshops with leading experts
- Live clinical supervision segments
Join us for
Sessions Live 2026
Limited Availability
In-Person Ticket
$895USD
Experience the full two-day live event and enjoy extended access to additional resources for 90 days.
- In-person access to workshops, presentations, and more
- Exclusive discounts from event sponsors
- In-person networking opportunities
- On-demand access to recordings and additional resources for 90 days
- CE credit opportunities
Join Us from Anywhere
Virtual Ticket
$175USD
Experience virtual access to the two-day event and enjoy extended access to additional resources for 90 days.
- Virtual access to workshops, presentations, and more
- Exclusive discounts from event sponsors
- Virtual networking opportunities
- On-demand access to recordings and additional resources for 90 days
- CE credit opportunities
“The amount of empathy, honesty, and illuminating perspectives floored me. Highly recommend.”
“I admire, respect, and appreciate the work of Esther and the amazing speakers she invites.”
“The insights shared during the event transformed my approach to collaboration and creativity.”
A Carefully Curated Experience
This unique experience—available in person or online—is specially designed to foster engagement, learning, and connection. Here are a few of the perks you’ll enjoy as an attendee.
Insights from Leading Experts
Learn practical tools and insights from Esther and her most trusted colleagues through talks, workshops, and a special live supervision segment.
Interactive Features
Share your voice and help shape the event in real time with live polling, Q&As, somatic experiences, and more.
Community Building
Connect with like-minded professionals during dedicated breakout sessions, networking moments, group experiences, and more.
Special Bonuses
Go deeper with an exclusive webinar with Esther before the event, on-demand access to recordings and resources, and discounts from event partners. Plus, log your CE credits from the comfort of your home.
Add to your experience
Join the VIP Dinner with Esther Parel
Join Esther for a special evening experience hosted in Dustin Yellin’s studio. This VIP gathering includes food and drinks and offers the opportunity to connect with Esther in a more intimate, informal, off-stage setting as part of the Sessions Live event.
- Dustin Yellin Studio, Brooklyn (next to Pioneer Works)
- Friday, May 15 at 7PM
*Additional details will be shared closer to the event
Daily Schedule
Two days of keynotes, panels, live case consultations, and interactive workshops with Esther Perel and colleagues.
Friday, May 15
08:00 AM
Registration
Location: Main Hall
09:15 AM
Opening Keynote: Esther Perel
Welcome to Sessions Live 2026
Location: Main Hall
10:00 AM
Morning Sessions
The Illusions/Disillusions of Tech + Small Group Reflections
Location: Main Hall
Saturday, May 16
08:00 AM
Registration
Location: Main Hall
09:15 AM
Opening Keynote: Esther Perel
Welcome to Sessions Live 2026
Location: Main Hall
10:00 AM
Morning Sessions
The Illusions/Disillusions of Tech + Small Group Reflections
Location: Main Hall
Meet the Experts
From psychologists and sociologists to tech experts and storytellers, you’ll hear from some of the most well-respected thinkers across industries—and Esther’s most trusted colleagues. Past speakers include:
Nedra Glover Tawwab
Therapist, NYT Bestselling Author, and Relationship Expert
Nedra Glover Tawwab is the author of the New York Times bestsellers Drama Free and Set Boundaries, Find Peace. A licensed therapist and sought-after relationship expert, she has practiced relationship therapy for more than fifteen years. Tawwab has appeared as an expert on Red Table Talk, The Breakfast Club, Good Morning America, and CBS Morning Show to name a few. Her work has been highlighted in The New York Times, The Guardian, and Vice, and has appeared on numerous podcasts, including The School of Greatness, We Can Do Hard Things, and Ten Percent Happier. Tawwab runs a popular Instagram account where she shares practices, tools, and reflections for mental health and relationships. She lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, with her family.
Orna Guralnik
Clinical Psychologist, Psychoanalyst and Writer
Dr. Orna Guralnik is a clinical psychologist, psychoanalyst, and writer. She is faculty of NYU PostDoc and on the editorial board of Psychoanalytic Dialogues. Her writing centers on the intersection of psychoanalysis, dissociation, and cultural studies. She is the therapist/psychoanalyst and consulting producer of the docuseries Couples Therapy, airing on Showtime/Paramount+.
Zach Taylor
Director of Psychotherapy Networker and Senior Business Manager
Zach Taylor, MA, LPC is the Director of Psychotherapy Networker and Senior Business Manager at PESI, an educational non-profit. He has practiced as a licensed professional counselor and psychotherapist for over 10 years.
Alexandra H. Solomon
Couple Therapist, Speaker, Author and Professor
Alexandra H. Solomon, PhD is an adjunct professor in the School of Education and Social Policy at Northwestern University and a licensed clinical psychologist in private practice. She is the host of the podcast, Reimagining Love, and she is the award-winning author of three books: Loving Bravely, Taking Sexy Back, and Love Every Day.
Daniel Barcay
Executive Director at The Center for Humane Technology
Daniel Barcay, Executive Director at The Center for Humane Technology, is a technologist who is passionate about how we wisely use the immense power and promise of technology to improve our world. A builder at heart, Daniel’s career has focused on creating global-scale technologies, cultivating a more nuanced understanding of how that technology impacts our world, and driving responsible practices around the technology rollout.
Dené Logan
Marriage and Family Therapist, Group Facilitator, and Author
Dené Logan is a Marriage and Family Therapist, a group facilitator, and an author based in Los Angeles. She specializes in supporting couples with finding more fulfillment in their relationships. Dené utilizes her background in depth psychology to infuse archetypal psychology, ritual, and metaphysics into the exploration of how each of us can reclaim aspects of our authentic selves that we’ve been culturally conditioned to turn away from in an attempt to maintain attachments. Her first book, Sovereign Love: A Guide to Healing Relationships by Reclaiming the Masculine and Feminine Within, is available now!
Meet the Experts
From psychologists and sociologists to tech experts and storytellers, you’ll hear from some of the most well-respected thinkers across industries—and Esther’s most trusted colleagues. This year’s lineup includes:
Dan Savage
Sex-Advice Columnist, Podcaster & Author
Dan Savage has been writing Savage Love, his syndicated sex-advice column, for more than thirty years. He is also the host of the Savage Lovecast, which recently released its 1000 episode. Through his columns, podcasts, books, and TV appearances, Dan has helped shape our national conversation about sex, love, marriage, and monogamy. Words and concepts that first appeared in Dan’s column and on his podcast — from monogamish to pegging to tolyamory — have permanently entered the lexicon. Dan is known for examining straight relationships through the prism of his experience as a gay man.
Jaiya
Award-Winning Sexologist & Bestselling Author
An internationally recognized, award-winning sexologist and best selling author, Jaiya is the creator of the Erotic Blueprint Breakthrough™ and the Erotic Blueprint™ Quiz. Jaiya is also the author of four books, including bestselling Red Hot Touch and Cuffed, Tied and Satisfied.
Justin Garcia
Executive Director & Senior Scientist at The Kinsey Institute
Justin R. Garcia, PhD, is an award-winning evolutionary biologist and recognized authority on the science of sex and relationships, specializing in modern romance, dating trends, and sexual behavior. He has served as Executive Director of the Kinsey Institute at Indiana University since 2019, where he leads pioneering research and global collaborations. He is widely published in academic journals, serves as an advisor for industry partners such as Match, and frequently contributes to major news outlets such as the New York Times, NPR, and the Wall Street Journal. His latest book is The Intimate Animal.
Justin Lehmiller
Social Psychologist & Senior Research Fellow at The Kinsey Institute
Dr. Justin Lehmiller is a social psychologist and Senior Research Fellow at The Kinsey Institute. He is host of the Sex and Psychology Podcast and is author of the popular book Tell Me What You Want: The Science of Sexual Desire and How It Can Help You Improve Your Sex Life. Dr. Lehmiller is an award-winning educator, having been honored three times with the Certificate of Teaching Excellence from Harvard University, where he taught for several years. He is also a prolific researcher who has published more than 50 academic works, including a textbook titled The Psychology of Human Sexuality that is used in college classrooms around the world. Dr. Lehmiller is a much sought-after voice in the media on sexuality research and education. He has been interviewed by The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and CNN, and he has appeared on dozens of international radio, podcast, and television programs.
About the Venue
Pioneer Works is an artist and scientist-led nonprofit cultural center in Red Hook, Brooklyn, that fosters innovative thinking through the visual and performing arts, technology, music, and science. Pioneer Works is a new model for cultural organization that is free, open to all, and transcends disciplinary silos.
Learn more about Pioneer Works at pioneerworks.org.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sessions Live 2026 right for me?
Sessions Live 2026 is an annual training conference designed for mental health professionals, relationship experts, and curious minds. If you’re a therapist, clinician, coach, personal growth enthusiast, or anyone else interested in navigating interpersonal relationships with more confidence, this event is for you.
How can I attend Sessions Live 2026?
Sessions Live 2026 is a hybrid event, meaning you can attend online or in person. The in-person event is on May 15–16, 2026, at Pioneer Works in New York City. Space is limited, so if you’re considering joining us in person, we encourage you to purchase your tickets as soon as possible. Virtual attendees will have access to the livestream of the event. All attendees will have on-demand access to recordings and additional resources for 90 days after the live event.
Will I get one-on-one advice from Esther?
No, Esther and her colleagues are unable to provide one-on-one advice during the live event. However, there will be opportunities to ask your questions and share your experiences through Q&As, live polling, and other interactive experiences.
For additional questions, please contact [email protected]
Get your ticket now
Cultivating Aliveness:
Desire & Its Disruptions
- A live two-day event with Esther Perel
- Online & In-Person in New York City
- May 15-16, 2026