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Four Interventions to Address Hypersexualization, Asexualization, & Fetishization

Photo credited to Disabled and Here.

Kathryn collaborated with Dr. Jess Gagui again for this week's blog as a follow up to their last blog focused on the historical context of hypersexualization and fetishization of BIPOC women and femmes.  Be sure to give that a read if you haven't already.  This week focuses on intervention strategies you can use when working with folks who voice experiences of hypersexualization, fetishization, asexualization, and body criticism for not fitting the standard of beauty: for example, white, thin, able bodied.  While last week's blog centered BIPOC women and femmes, we think you’ll find these intervention strategies helpful for many other populations you work with. 

 

Clients’ experiences related to identity and culture aren’t off limits to clinicians:

Clinicians can, rightfully so, feel cautions to challenge what clients admit as cultural messages.  For example, "I grew up in a Catholic home and...

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5 Things to Know About Sex Work

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:

 

  1. Sex work is work. Sex work is a consensual transaction between adults, where the act of selling or buying sexual services is not a violation of human rights. Sex work is an umbrella term that can include escort services, street-level sex workers, pornography, exotic dancing, massage, internet work, phone sex operators and third-party support (drivers, managers, bartenders etc.). Sex work is NOT sexual exploitation or trafficking. If the exchange is non consensual, it is violence, and is not considered sex work under the definitions of the World Health Organization.
    Like any career, sex work is deserving of respect, non-judgement, and professionalism. 
  2. Sex workers...
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[Research Spotlight] LGBTQIA+ Affirmative Care: Upholding Professional Responsibilities

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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Is your Sex and Intimacy OT Practice more Victoria's Secret or Rihanna’s SavageXFenty?

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: 

  1. If you have patient handouts, who is visually represented in them?
  2. What clients do you address sex and intimacy with and which ones do you hesitate to address it with?
  3. Do you ask your clients what kind of sex they have or what it typically looks like?  
  4. Are you comfortable celebrating the expansive forms of sexuality and ways sexual activity can be engaged in?  Does this acceptance translate when you’re working with your clients?

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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🚨 New Assistive Device for Folks with Disabilities 🚨

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New Sexual Wellness App for OTs!!

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...

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"OT Should be Apolitical"... F That!

I am reflecting on the political landscape these past few weeks and on AOTA's statement about the insurrection & white supremacy and especially the comments in response to that statement that said AOTA and OT should not be political and here are some thoughts I'd like to share.  

It's important to remember that what is happening politically in the US right now is not disconnected from our work as OTs, especially OTs working in sexuality and intimacy. It is our duty to uphold the values of occupational justice and stand up against white supremacy, systematic racism, antisemitism, islamophobia, xenophobia, transphobia, homophobia, ableism, and all other forms of oppression/harm towards others that impact people's self-determination to live as authentic and healthy sexual beings.

 Part of being a culturally humble practitioner involves reflecting on yourself and your own internal biases. It also means knowing the populations you serve and the specific harms by...

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