An era in Danish sexology is coming to an end. Joan Ørting - one of Denmark's best-known sexologists and a pioneer in teaching about sexuality and relationships - has decided to phase out her educational activities after almost 20 years. She plans to close her teaching center, Villa Wilder in Christianshavn, in the summer of 2026.
Over the years, Joan Ørting has made a significant impact on the way we talk about sex and love in Denmark. Her teaching has inspired and trained hundreds of sexologists and couples therapists, and she has done so with an openness and warmth that has made her popular and beloved - but also controversial at times.
One of her most famous contributions is the introduction of the Five Erotic Languages - a model that helps couples and individuals understand their own and each other's sexual needs. The five erotic languages, which Ørting has used in both teaching and books, are based on the idea that we love and turn on differently: some people need closeness and security, while others are turned on by the wild, the playful or the spiritual. With this model, she has given many a new language for their sexuality - and helped couples meet in understanding and curiosity.
The decision to quit comes after a period of media coverage and criticism. In January, 11 former students came forward and accused Ørting of transgressive therapy. Shortly after, her former collaborator Jakob Olrik called her "dangerous" in an interview on Radio4. The debate quickly turned into a media storm that put her methods and approach under the microscope.
Joan Ørting has made it clear that the decision to quit was made long before the criticism hit the media, and that her departure is about life stages - not about external pressure.
What the next chapter will entail, Joan Ørting has not yet revealed.
