"Sexuality and intimacy contain so much more than the act of sexual activity. Beyond the physical mechanics of “sexual activity,” sexual and intimate occupations encompass a broad range of personally meaningful activities for building intimate partnerships, developing a sense of self, actualizing desire, and experiencing pleasure.” - Ellis & Ungco, 2023.
TLDR: Love the quote, ready to order? Click here to order the textbook.
Want the back story? Read on...
In 2017, I sent the first email to AOTA Press pitching a new sexuality textbook. I wanted a sexuality textbook that infused OT’s moto of living life fully throughout the content. A textbook that celebrated and gave intervention strategies for thriving versus surviving. A textbook that wasn’t afraid to talk about pleasure and acknowledges OT’s role in intimate social skills. A textbook that offered a broad lens of sexuality reflective of our own personal realities and the...
Occupational therapy professionals will work with clients who may hire sex workers or who would benefit from working with a sex worker.
Here are 5 things OTs need to know to be prepared to address sex work with clients and to advocate for destigmatizing sex work:
The topic of dating and romance can be quite difficult to initiate with parents of adolescent clients, especially those with autism. However, as an occupational therapist (OT), you can help parents create a safe, calm, and judgment-free space for their teens to freely express their desires.
Here are five tips to help you initiate a healthy conversation about dating and sex with parents of teens with autism:
Ask questions about your teen's dating interests: Use initial questions to help...
I recently read an AJOT study that I couldn’t wait to share with you all as it shows the power of continuing education.
A study conducted last year by Bolding et al. (2022) examined the knowledge, clinical preparedness, and attitudinal awareness of occupational therapy practitioners, in regards to the LGBTQIA+ folks. This self-report study was broken down by category and found that on a scale of 1-7, respondents scored a mean of 4.7 in their Knowledge about queer populations, 4.4 in Clinical Preparedness, and 5.6 in Attitudinal Awareness.
There were a number of factors that contributed to respondents scoring significantly higher in all three sub-scales, including a graduate degree in OT, past or present experience in mental health settings, or respondents with a close friend or family member who identifies as SGM (sexual gender minorities e.g., agender, bisexual, gay, lesbian, gay, gender non-conforming, transgender). Academic preparedness and continuing education...
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Before you read on, here's a self-assessment to stoke self reflection.
Take a look at Victoria's Secret's website and Rihanna’s SavagexFenty website. Ask yourself: “if my sex and intimacy occupational therapy practice was either Victoria’s Secret or SavagexFenty, which one would it be?”
Here are some questions:
Last week, I wanted to buy a few new pieces of lingerie. Like an old habit, I typed Victoria’s Secret into my google search bar and went to the...
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When I first started addressing sexuality with clients and making recommendations for sex toys I went through the steps of printing out a screen shot of a vibrator on a work computer, folding it in half, and slyly giving it to my client in front of their families.
But now, thanks to the folks at Direct-Rec App, OT clinicians can share sexual wellness products directly and privately with their clients. Dang… where was this 10 years ago!?
Ok, so what is Direct-Rec?
Direct-Rec is a new app that can help clinicians share equipment and product recommendations quickly and securely with patients. The folks at Direct-Rec teamed up with the OT educators at the OT After Dark Podcast to create a category of sexual wellness products with information on how the products can be helpful to specific patients based on their specific challenges, sexual goals, or interests. This might be a vibrator with an extended reach, slings and supports to...
"5 Conversation Starters" for talking about sex with your clients + the blog right to your inbox!