Herpes stigma continues to create barriers between patients and providers, often limiting open communication and discouraging individuals from seeking sexual health care. Drawing from over eight years of community engagement through Something Positive for Positive People (SPFPP)—a nonprofit dedicated to stigma minimization for people with herpes—this session introduces a stigma-informed model for sexual history taking.

We will explore how shame, fear, and misinformation shape patient-provider communication, often leading to incomplete sexual histories and missed opportunities for connection and care. The presentation will highlight key lessons learned from nearly 400 podcast interviews, dozens of support group sessions, and stigma-informed yoga therapy work with people impacted by herpes.

Attendees will receive practical language tools and strategies for creating safer environments that promote disclosure and engagement, with a focus on empathy, choice, and validation. The session includes a live, interactive demonstration where providers will practice history-taking scenarios and receive real-time audience feedback on tone, language, and emotional safety.

This training aligns with SYNC’s focus on health equity, sexual health, and stigma reduction by offering a low-cost, replicable communication model that strengthens trust between providers and the communities most affected by sexually transmitted infections (STIs). This session is ideal for clinicians, educators, and anyone involved in patient-centered sexual health care looking to reduce stigma and improve care outcomes.