Availability via Zoom (Singapore Time)

Based in San Francisco, California,USA

● Tuesday through Friday: 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM and 11:00 PM to 12:00 AM
● Saturday: 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
● Sunday: 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM

Languages: English, Hindi, Kannada and Urdu

Nishita Rao is the first Indian to be certified by AASECT as a Sexuality Educator. She is also a Certified Holistic Sexuality Educator from ISEE with a background in Neuroendocrinology (MS Neuroscience) and Genetics (BE Biotechnology).

Nishita is also a Behavioral Neuroscience Coach and a Reiki Grandmaster who integrates Eastern and Western modalities into her practice. She approaches healing through Attachment-Based Therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Trauma-Focused Interventions, Eastern Therapeutic Modalities, Integrative Therapy, and Person-Centered Therapy.

Her diverse methodologies include Mandala Art Therapy, Raga Therapy (inspired by 12th-century Indian music), Bibliotherapy, Mindfulness, Pranayama (Breathwork), Aromatherapy, Usui (Jikidem) Reiki, Karuna Reiki, and Seichem Reiki, Chakra Balancing, Body Mapping, Tea Blending Therapy, and more.

Nishita’s areas of expertise encompass Sexual Abuse Recovery, Stress Management, Indigenous Healing Practices, Decolonial Therapy, Generational and Intergenerational Trauma Therapy, and Land-Based Therapy. Her work is BIPOC-affirming and LGBTQQIA2SP+-affirming, ensuring an inclusive and culturally sensitive healing environment.

Nishita is also an Interdisciplinary scientist— her current research delves into post-colonial imprints on human social and sexual attitudes. She is a Dance Ethnographer with a research focus on Belly dance, Sadir, Bharatanatyam, Mohiniyatam, Kathak and Kathakalli. She is also an Ethnomusicologist and a Philologist, tracking the linguistic pedagogy embedded in the lyrical structures of Carnatic renditions.

Nishita is a member of several professional organizations, including:

• American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists
  • Medical Sexology Special Interest Group
  • Minor Attracted Persons Special Interest Group
  • People of Color Special Interest Group
  • Sexuality & Aging Special Interest Group
  • Sexuality Educators Special Interest Group
  • Somatic Intimacy Professionals Special Interest Group
  • Tantra Special Interest Group
• BDSM Reimagining Inclusion Through Equity, Stockholm, SE
  • Curriculum Development (Program)
  • Learning Management Systems (Portal)
• The Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality
  • Sexual Coercion/Aggression and Prevention Special Interest Group
• Community-Academic Consortium for Research on Alternative Sexualities
• Kink Between the Lines Conference
• Sex-Positive World
• Zepp Wellness Center
• National Coalition For Sexual Freedom
• Tennessee Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence

In addition, she also serves as a Board Member of the Sex Positive SF Chapter and is on the Advisory Board of the Sex Positive World.

As the founder of Pillow Talk With Nixi, Nishita has spearheaded several pioneering educational and therapeutic initiatives, including:

• InclusiSex Studies Initiative, offering a holistic lens on Gender and Sexuality Studies.
• Curious Research Cortex, focusing on the intersections of human sexuality with neuroscience, genetics, anthropology, history, and biopolitics.
• Soul Sync Sanctuary, a culturally sensitive therapeutic space for healing emotional and ancestral trauma.
• Sex Scholars Library, a curated virtual collection of BIPOC-authored books for sexuality professionals.
• Sexual Revolution, featuring Unfiltered, Unapologetic and Unconventional conversations with leading sexuality professionals.
• South Asian Sexuality Professionals Alliance, fostering empowerment and inclusivity within the South Asian diaspora and advancing culturally relevant sex education.

Currently, Nishita is also pursuing advanced training with the Veterans Health Administration (Neurobiology of Trauma), the Alberta Family Wellness Initiative (Brain Architecture) and Zepp Wellness(Trauma-informed Therapy for sex workers who have survived sexual assault).

Her work embodies a commitment to education, empowerment, and holistic transformation, establishing her as a distinguished voice in the fields of human sexuality, trauma-informed care, and cultural inclusivity.

Education

Zepp Wellness, CA, U.S.A

Equitable Care Certification, July 2025

Alberta Family Wellness Initiative, Calgary, AB, Canada

Brain Story Certification, July 2025

American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists, Chicago, IL, U.S.A

Sexuality Educator Certification, April 2025

Institute for Sexuality Education and Enlightenment, Tucson, AZ, U.S.A

Holistic Sexuality Educator Certification, May 2024

State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, U.S.A

Master of Science, Neuroscience, February 2022

R.V. College of Engineering, Bangalore, KA, India

Bachelor of Engineering, Biotechnology, May 2017

Certifications

Brain Story Certification ongoing: Certified by the University of Oxford, in partnership with the Alberta Family Wellness Initiative, this course delves into brain development, genetics, ACES, ADHD, Addiction and PTSD.

Certificate of Holistic Sex Educator (CHSE): Certified by the Institute of Sexuality Education and Enlightenment, an approved AASECT CE provider designed to meet the 200+ hours of comprehensive training requirement, alongside 20+ hours of Supervision.

Certificate of RBT Training Completion: Certified by the Juvo Autism + Behavioral Health Services and Centria Healthcare in accordance with the RBT Task List (2nded.), designed to meet the 40-hour training requirement for RBT certification..

Equitable Care Certification ongoing: Certified by the Zepp Wellness Center, an approved AASECT CE provider designed to provide 36 hours of comprehensive training in sex worker therapy, alongside supervision.

Hypnotherapy Level I: Certified by The Hypnotherapy School of India in accordance with the guidelines set by The General Hypnotherapy Standards Council (UK).

Reiki Grandmaster: Certified by Reiki Grandmaster and Teacher, Gayatri Viswanathan

Sexual Health Educator Certificate (SHE): Certified by the California Prevention Training Center (CAPTC), this course addresses topics under sexual health and the need for comprehensive sexual education in classrooms.

Other Coursework

Neurobiology of Trauma (Being more Trauma-Informed): Course was created by Jim Hopper, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist and nationally recognized expert on psychological trauma and sexual assault, to provide an inform people of the brain-based experiences and behaviors, which have important implications for understanding, supporting and working with victims of sexual assault and other violence.

Right To Be: Bystander Intervention to stop anti-Asian and Xenophobic Harassment: Concentrated on the 5Ds of bystander intervention methodology, the training addresses the identification and management of microaggression and violence.

Right To Be: Stand Up Against Street Harassment: The training addresses the identification of street harassment and its impact, and the appropriate intervention technique required to be implemented in various scenarios.

Lectures

1. (2024, Oct 8). Tears: A Super Power| The Body’s Natural Defense Mechanism [Webinar]. AASECT Sex & Aging SIG.
2. (2024, Apr 21). Journey Through Time: Sex and LGBTQ+ Tales and Imageries from Ancient India[Webinar]. AASECT Tantra SIG.
3. (2024, Mar 13). Chromvolution: The Adventures of Pink [Webinar]. Sex Ed Lecture Series.
4. (2024, Feb 18). Challenging Amatonormativity: Re-introducing the Hidden World of Neuroscience [Webinar]. Sex Positive World.
5. (2023, October 4). Challenging Amatonormativity: Re-introducing the Hidden World of Neuroscience [Webinar]. Sex Ed Lecture Series.
6. (2023, Sep 10). Neurobiology of Trauma [Webinar]. Sex Positive World.
7. (2023, Apr 5). Biological Basis for Mate Preferences [Webinar]. Wildcard Wednesday, Professional Organization of Sexuality Educators (P.O.S.E) Group.
8. (2023, March 29). Neurobiology of Trauma: Applications for Sex Education [Webinar]. Sex Ed Lecture Series.
9. (2023, Mar 8 & Feb 22). Decoding Scientific Papers and Language [Webinar]. Journal Club, Student Engagement Xchange (S.E.X) Group.
10. (2023, Feb 1). Attachment, a Social Bond [Webinar]. Wildcard Wednesday, Student Engagement Xchange (S.E.X) Group.
11. (2023, Jan 23). Attachment, a Social Bond [Webinar]. Sun Academy, Georgia State University.
12. (2022, December 7). Journey Through Time: Sex and LGBTQ+ Tales and Imageries from Ancient India [Webinar]. Webinar Wednesday, Institute for Sexuality Education and Enlightenment.
13. (2022, November 2). Neurobiology of Trauma [Webinar]. Webinar Wednesday, Institute for Sexuality Education and Enlightenment.
14. (2022, June 1). Vasopressin & Social Behavior [Webinar]. Wildcard Wednesday, Student Engagement Xchange (S.E.X) Group

Workshops

1. (2024, Jan 19). Naughty Playoffs [Social]. Sex Positive World.
2. (2023, Oct 8). Cultural Spa: Healing Inherited Wounds [Workshop]. Sex Positive World.
3. (2023, Jun 11). Pillow Talk Salon [Social; Rising Stars Fundee]. Sex Positive World.
4. (2023, Mar-Dec). Cultural Spa: Healing Inherited Attachment Wounds [Workshop]. Soul Spa, Student Engagement Xchange (S.E.X) Group.
5. (2023, Jan-Apr). Erotica Infused Club (EIC) [Workshop]. Student Engagement Xchange (S.E.X) Group.

Publications (Conferences)

1. (2025, Nov 7-9). Sexploration Quest: Commence Your Journey! [Event]. Kink Between The Lines Conference.
2. (2025, Nov 7-9). The Neuroscience of Pain and Pleasure: An Exploration into BDSM [Webinar]. Kink Between The Lines Conference.
3. (2025, Sep 4-6). Bhoga, Bheda, Bhakti: Desire, Duality, and Devotion in Tantric Carnatic Music[Workshop]. Sex Down South Conference.
4. (2025, Apr 22-23). Chromvolution: The Adventures of Pink [Scholarly Presentation]. ABSC Spring Roundtable Series X.
5. (2024, Oct 17-18). Challenging Orientalism: Confronting Sexualization of Bellydance [Scholarly Presentation]. ABSC International Lecture Series VII.
6. (2024, Sep 27-29). Naughty Playoffs [Social]. Kink Between The Lines Conference.
7. (2024, Sep 27-29). Journey Through Time: Sex and LGBTQ+ Tales and Imageries from Ancient India [Webinar]. Kink Between The Lines Conference.
8. (2024, Aug 23-24). The Witchy Archetypes: Sluts, Lesbians and Hags | Unraveling Societal Biases in Reproductive Choice [New School Webinar]. Let’s Talk About Sex Conference.
9. (2024, Jun 14). Challenging Amatonormativity: Re-introducing the Hidden World of Biology[Poster Presentation]. AASECT Conference.
10. (2024, May 2). Cultural Spa: Healing Inherited Wounds [Workshop]. SLAM Conference.
11. (2022, September 6-7). Puberty dependence of (AVP) expression in the BNST and MeA (Social Behavior Circuit) [Poster Presentation]. Kinsey Institute 75th Anniversary Research Symposium.

Art Exhibts

1. (2024, May 18). Wild Muse: Untamed Whispers [Sketch]. Asian American and Pacific Islanders Exhibit. Womankind.
2. (2024, May 18). Lyrical Legacies: An Ode to the Devadasi Culture[Performance]. Asian American and Pacific Islanders Exhibit. Womankind.
3. (2024, Oct 23). Journey Unto Self [Mixed Media Art]. Domestic Violence Awareness Exhibit. Womankind.

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