Somatica Institute Co-Founders Serve as Lead Experts on Channel 4’s Groundbreaking New Series Virgin Island

We’re thrilled to share some exciting news: Celeste Hirschman, MA, and Dr. Danielle Harel, PhD, MSW, co-founders of the Somatica Institute and pioneers of the Somatica® Method, are bringing their transformative approach to a new television audience through Channel 4 UK’s bold new series, Virgin Island.

Airing on Channel 4, Virgin Island follows 12 adult virgins on a deeply personal journey toward intimacy, connection, and self-discovery. Set against the backdrop of a luxury Mediterranean island retreat, the series invites participants to overcome fears of touch, sexuality, and vulnerability with Celeste and Danielle serving as consulting producers and the world’s leading sexologists, guiding them every step of the way.

A New Lens on Intimacy, Healing, and Growth

Virgin Island arrives at a pivotal cultural moment. At a time when young people are navigating record-high levels of loneliness, body image anxiety, and fear of intimacy — a reality revealed by University College London research — Virgin Island offers an unprecedented look into the transformational power of sex and relationship coaching. The series aims to thoughtfully address these challenges, emphasizing education, consent, emotional regulation, and somatic embodiment as learnable skills critical to relational wellbeing.

Through the Somatica Method’s experiential, body-based approach, Celeste and Danielle empower participants to reconnect with their desires, build emotional resilience, and embody intimacy — not just talk about it. It’s an approach that normalizes real, imperfect, courageous human connection.

“No shame. No performance. Just raw experiences, real breakthroughs, and moments of profound self-discovery. It’s been an incredible honor to witness the courage these participants brought to their journeys and we’re so grateful to Channel 4 for providing a platform where real intimacy and real growth can be explored so openly,” Celeste shares.

Danielle adds: “We’ve always believed sexuality is something you can learn. Something that can help us heal and expand.” Virgin Island brings that truth to life in such a powerful way. Watching these participants step into their agency and pleasure has been one of the most inspiring experiences of our careers.”

Meet the Experts Behind the Series

Dr. Danielle Harel (PhD, MSW) and Celeste Hirschman (MA) are globally recognized leaders in the field of sexology. Together, they developed the Somatica Method: a trauma empowerment, experiential modality that bridges the gap between academic theory and real-world embodied practice.

With advanced degrees in human sexuality, psychology, and social work, they have trained thousands of Somatica Coaches worldwide and co-authored three influential books. Their work has been featured in major media outlets for helping to redefine how people learn and grow emotionally and sexually.

On Virgin Island, they bring their decades of experience, warmth, and realness to help participants (and viewers) understand that pleasure, connection, and transformation are not luxuries — they’re human birthrights.

Tune In

Virgin Island premieres on Channel 4 and Channel 4 Streaming this May.

Follow Celeste & Danielle as they take the 12 courageous participants on their journey and witness how somatic, experiential work transforms people’s lives for the better and forever.

Learn More About Virgin Island Here: First Look at Channel 4’s Virgin Island

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