Psychologists have branded Channel 4’s new show ‘Virgin Island’ a ‘public health danger’ amid concerns over its controversial form of sex therapy.
The show sees 12 adults, who have never had sex before, travel to a retreat in Croatia with the aim of losing their virginity on camera.
To help them, sexologists Dr Danielle Harel and Celeste Hirschman employ the services of surrogate partners to engage in intimate acts with the participants.
However, leading psychologists have told MailOnline that so-called ‘surrogate-assisted sex therapy’ is, at best, pseudoscience – and, at worst, actively harmful.
Scientists insist there is ‘not a shred of evidence’ that surrogate therapy is of any benefit to individuals suffering from sexual anxiety or other dysfunctions.
Even if the therapy could provide positive outcomes, expert psychologists have derided Channel 4’s ‘unethical’ decision to televise the processes.
Professor Dean McKay, a leading psychologist from Fordham University and president of the Society for a Science of Clinical Psychology, told MailOnline: ‘The approach is not based on any clear scientific approaches, just what “sounds” like science.
‘It is dangerous, given that an unsuspecting public would have no reason to think it wasn’t scientific. It is a public health danger.’
Channel 4’s new show Virgin Island sees 12 adults, who have never had sex before, travel to a retreat in Croatia with the aim of losing their virginity on camera.
However, the show’s use of ‘surrogate-assisted’ sex therapy has led psychologists to brand it a ‘public health danger’
What is surrogate-assisted sex therapy?
Surrogate-assisted sex therapy was first developed in the 1970s by the psychologists William Masters and Virginia Johnson.
Masters and Johnson proposed that highly trained surrogates could be used in specific settings as a form of therapy for people with erectile dysfunction or other sexual dysfunctions.
During therapy, the patient, surrogate, and psychologist form what is known as a ‘triadic relationship’.
The therapist then provides more traditional talk therapy and assigns the patient to practice engaging in particular sexual acts with the surrogate.
The idea is that the hands-on approach with the surrogate would allow the patient to overcome their sexual anxieties or other issues in a more controlled setting.
Surrogate therapy inhabits something of a legal grey area in most countries and is only widely practised in the UK, USA, Australia, Germany, and Israel.
On the show, the role of psychologist will be filled by Ms Hirschman and Dr Harel, who are co-founders of the Somatica Institute, which specialises in sex and relationship coach training.
The show includes surrogate partners such as Andre Lazarus, who will engage in intimate acts with the participants as part of their treatment
Kat Slade is the other ‘sex surrogate’ who will work alongside Andre to help the 12 virgins feel more comfortable with their sexual side
While the Somatica Institute emphatically told MailOnline that the use of surrogates was ‘not part of Somatica’s methodology’, Hirschman and Harel will also employ the use of two surrogates.
Those surrogates are Andre Lazarus, a sex coach certified by the Somatica Institute, and Kat Slade, a certified ‘reiki healer’.
Is there any evidence that surrogate-assisted sex therapy works?
Squeamishness about the lurid details aside, the biggest problem with Virgin Island is that there is simply no real evidence this works.
Since the idea was first suggested in the 70s, no researcher has put forward any convincing demonstration that having sex with a surrogate is a good way of dealing with sexual dysfunctions.
Likewise, given that surrogate therapy is intended to address legitimate mental health problems and sexual dysfunctions, the people receiving the treatment are likely to be especially vulnerable.
Dr Jonathan Stea, clinical psychologist, adjunct assistant professor at the University of Calgary, and author of ‘Mind the Science’, told MailOnline: ‘It’s very disconcerting to think that a person who has experienced sexual trauma or symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder could dangerously be duped into receiving something like surrogate-assisted sex therapy, which doesn’t have a shred of credible scientific evidence to its name.’
Despite lacking a large body of evidence, some psychologists do still endorse the practice.
Despite the show giving its endorsement to the controversial form of sex therapy, psychologists say there isn’t a ‘shred of credible evidence’ to support its use
Dr David Ley, a clinical psychologist in practice in Albuquerque, New Mexico, told MailOnline: ‘Because surrogacy can overlap with sex work, there’s a lot of stigma and privacy around it, which is why there’s not a large literature or research base about surrogacy.
Dr Ley and other psychologists also say that there is anecdotal evidence that the therapy can be ‘extremely healing’.
‘In general, sex therapists have told me they have generally positive experiences with involving sexual surrogacy in clinical work,’ says Dr Ley.
However, these individual reports are a far cry from a basis for psychological treatment.
Professor McKay points out that by looking at individual case studies, researchers miss out on other cases where there were minimal benefits and even harm.
That means there simply isn’t enough evidence to support its use, and this is something psychologists are extremely concerned about.
Professor Caroline Pukall, an expert on sexual psychology from Queen’s University, Canada, told MailOnline: ‘There is no strong research evidence suggesting that surrogate-assisted sex therapy is beneficial.’
‘It does not seem responsible for a major television show to promote a form of therapy with little scientific evidence.’
Psychologists have branded surrogate-assisted therapy as pseudoscience and have called Channel 4 irresponsible for promoting it
Likewise, Professor Pukall, Professor McKay and Dr Ley all accused Channel 4 of promoting ‘pseudoscience’ by tacitly endorsing the practice.
Dr Stea says: ‘Surely it’s irresponsible for television shows to actively promote pseudoscientific treatments for health conditions.
‘But television shows care more about entertainment and ratings than medical ethics.’
Why is this so dangerous?
However, it is not just the fact that surrogate-assisted therapy is pseudoscience which has psychologists concerned.
The experts say that the decision to televise this so-called therapy is irresponsible and potentially puts the participants at risk of harm.
‘If it were based on anything scientific, it would still be inappropriate to air in the lurid and voyeuristic way it is,’ says Dr McKay.
‘Television needs shows like this to have drama, and some of it in this show could come at the expense of a participant’s personal integrity. The risk of shame or other hurtful outcomes appears quite high.’
Psychologists add that, even if the treatment were beneficial, putting people’s intimate moments on television is ‘unethical’ and has a high risk of harmful outcomes
The problem, according to psychologists, is that the goals of television producers are fundamentally at odds with those of the participants.
Simply by putting this ‘treatment’ on television, any potential benefits that might arise are essentially snuffed out.
Professor Pukall adds: ‘I wouldn’t call what is being done on the show sex therapy, in my opinion. Therapy is done with the goals of the patient in mind, not ratings, reach, or entertainment. Therapy is not exploitative of vulnerable patients.
‘If patients are not fully informed of the risks and benefits of their “therapy” on this show, on the limitations of the approaches being taken on this show, and on the public nature of their personal information – as well as other factors – this can be harmful to some people in the short and long term.’
Are the Virgin Island participants safe?
A spokesperson for Channel 4 told MailOnline that participants received a ‘full psychological screening’ and were subject to ‘consent-based filming’.
The spokesperson added: ‘Duty of care is of paramount importance and the safety and wellbeing of cast is our utmost priority at all times, throughout production and beyond.
‘All intimacy work was overseen by accredited experts with experience in therapeutic and trauma-informed practices and all contributors left the Island feeling they had benefited from the experience.’
Channel 4 maintains that all the participants benefited from the experience on the show and were kept safe by psychological screening and support
However, psychologists say there are limits to what psychological screening and support can achieve.
Dr Lori Beth Bisby, registered psychologist and accredited sex therapist, told MailOnline: ‘In practice, without a very thorough assessment, which is expensive, so most don’t do this, you don’t know what people will present.
‘This type of therapy is challenging enough for a client. Adding the stress of it being televised makes it more risky.
What do advocates of surrogate therapy say?
Channel 4 defends its decision, calling the show a ‘social experiment that aims to highlight the particularly topical issue of intimacy, communication and sex amongst young people in modern-day Britain.’
Channel 4’s presentation of surrogate-assisted sex therapy has also received the support of some therapists.
For example, Dr Ley says: ‘Coverage like this reduces stigma of talking about sex and normalises the practice of seeking professional support to improve one’s sexuality. As a result, I’m in favour, regardless of quibbles about the sensationalist aspects.’
Likewise, Dr Janet Hall, a psychologist and sex therapist with 40 years’ experience, told MailOnline: ‘I actually think it seems quite a positive opportunity for the virgins and a wonderful teaching for people who have no idea how somatic sexology can be so affirming.’
A few psychologists do believe the show could be beneficial, saying that it ‘reduces stigma of talking about sex’
The Somatica Institute, meanwhile, denies that it has anything to do with surrogate-assisted therapy or that Virgin Island involves psychotherapy of any kind.
A spokesperson for the institute told MailOnline: ‘The Somatica Institute does not teach or practice surrogate-assisted sex therapy’ and that ‘any statements attributing surrogate therapy to Somatica are incorrect.’
The spokesperson added: ‘The participants on Virgin Island engaged voluntarily and with full awareness of the show’s premise. What is shown on screen reflects moments of self-discovery, communication, and embodied coaching – not psychotherapy.’
What certifications do the surrogates have?
One thing that Channel 4 and the Somatica Institute are both keen to stress is that everyone involved with the show is appropriately certified.
For example, the surrogate partner Andre Lazarus is certified by the International Professional Surrogates Association (IPSA), while Kat Slade receives her certifications from the Anada Integrative Healing group.
However, closer examination suggests that these certifications might not be as rigorous as they appear.
Becoming a practising surrogate partner with the IPSA requires attending 12 days of classes and paying the $3,000 tuition fee.
Psychologists also point out that the certifications held by some surrogates might not be as legitimate as they appear and could cause problems if they are used to promote treatments for legitimate mental health issues
After this time, surrogates will be considered apprentices but will still be able to take clients, provided they pay 15 per cent of their fees to their ISPA-approved mentor.
The IPSA specifically states: ‘No specific academic degrees or courses are required as a prerequisite to IPSA’s Professional Surrogate Partner Training Program.’
Likewise, the Anada Integrative Healing group, which certifies Ms Slade, also offers energy healing, reiki, and shamanic healing – practices branded by Dr Stea as ‘unequivocally pseudoscientific.
Similarly, the organisation’s founder, Nicole Ananda, claims to be both a certified surrogate partner therapist and a certified ‘shamanic practitioner’.
Although there is not necessarily anything wrong with seeking or delivering Reiki or shamanic healing, it highlights how official-sounding certifications can be misleading.
Dr Stea says: ‘There exist countless unregulated providers of mental health–related services in the wellness industry who market themselves as “relationship coaches,” or “wellness consultants”.
‘If someone wants to hire a “coach” for motivational purposes and to help achieve their life or relationship goals, then that’s wonderful, and all the power to you.
‘Ethical problems start to emerge, however, when those “coaches” begin to offer mental health care services with no qualifications, such as the ability to assess and treat a person’s mental health concerns, such as trauma, depression, or anxiety.’
VIRGIN ISLAND: MEET THE CAST!
NAME: EMMA
AGE: 23
OCCUPATION: FOOD WORKER
Emma said: ‘I was the only virgin amongst my friendship group, I felt outnumbered.
‘I believed I was the only human experiencing adult life without intimacy but I couldn’t relax when there is the possibility of intimacy and I had to battle previous traumas.
‘The fact that this concept was being brought to TV made me realise being over 21 and never having sex was not as rare as I thought it was.’
NAME: BEN
AGED: 30
OCCUPATION: CIVIL SERVANT
Ben said: ‘A friend sent me the casting call for Virgin Island on social media. I’m not sure if he knew I was a virgin, but he knew I’d struggled in this area.
‘Funnily enough, my immediate response to his message was ‘not a chance’.’
NAME: DAVE
AGE: 24
OCCUPATION: ACCOUNTANT
Dave said: ‘An initial joke by some friends for some cheap laughs slowly became the opportunity of a lifetime.
‘I have always struggled to open up to people but this led me to feel invisible – a feeling I couldn’t take anymore.
‘I felt like it couldn’t continue and I wanted to do something drastic to get my life back on track.
NAME: JASON
AGE: 25
OCCUPATION: ADMIN WORKER
Jason said: ‘I always felt like a failure in terms of intimacy and socialness.
‘I know the island was primarily for intimacy, but it had
the amazing bonus of helping me improve my social skills – and for that, I will be forever grateful.’
NAME: LOUISE
AGE: 22
OCCUPATION: CARE ADVISOR
Louise said: ‘I never really imagined applying for a show like Virgin Island but my friend sent me the application as a joke, and I thought, ‘Why not?’
‘I was at the point where I was willing to try anything.
‘I had just accepted that there must’ve just been something wrong with me – I think the fact that my friends would see the word ‘virgin’ and think of me says enough to be honest.’
NAME: CHARLOTTE
AGE: 29
OCCUPATION: CARE WORKER
Charlotte said: ‘Because I wanted to rid myself of my shame that I had surrounding my body, and my desire, and my ability to give myself pleasure.
‘I wanted to be honest with myself so that I would not be hindered when having relationships in the future.’
NAME: HOLLY
AGE: 23
OCCUPATION: DOG GROOMER
She said: ‘I felt like I was at a point in my life where I was ready to experience being with someone, but I had a lot of anxiety and questions about myself that I felt I had to work through before taking that step.
‘I was definitely nervous, not knowing what to expect, what the others were going to be like, whether I was actually going to get anything out of it.’
NAME: PIA
AGE: 23
OCCUPATION: DIGITAL MARKETING ASSISTANT
Pia said: ‘I applied for Virgin Island because of my struggles with vaginismus.
‘I wanted to overcome the pain and anxiety I felt when exploring penetrative sex.
‘Plus, I found intimacy incredibly overwhelming.’
NAME: TAYLOR
AGE: 29
OCCUPATION: RECEPTIONIST
Taylor said: ‘I spent my whole adult life wondering why I found sexual things so difficult when others didn’t.
‘When I was a teenager, the risks of sex seemed to far outweigh the benefits, the only benefit anyone spoke of was babies, and I certainly wasn’t ready for one of those.
NAME: TOM
AGE: 23
OCCUPATION: DRAMA STUDENT
Tom said: ‘I always found myself to be a freak because I struggled to lose my virginity whilst others around me continued to pop their cherries.
‘It severely affected my mental health, filling me with self-loathing which in turn made me a worse person.’
NAME: VIRAJ
AGE: 25
OCCUPATION: PERSONAL TRAINER
Viraj said: ‘I had a massive struggle to express myself in front of women.
‘For me it wasn’t about the intimacy stage but more with the confidence side of talking to women and making small talk.
‘This whole idea was encouraged by my friends for me to get out of my comfort zone and go through with this.’
NAME: Zac
AGE: 23
OCCUPATION: DELIVERY DRIVER
Zac said: ‘There was a man reporting that Channel 4 was looking for adult virgins to take part in an experimental TV show. This was of course describing me.
‘At first I was like – no way, I’m not gonna do that, but I started to think about it more and more, and I realised that I wasn’t really getting anywhere by myself, time was just passing me by with no real positive change.’
