Mission

The Institute for Sex, Intimacy, & Occupational Therapy's mission is to dismantle restrictive norms related to sexuality and intimacy which limit clients and limit ourselves.  Through continuing education, consultation, and mentorship, I strive to promote understanding, respect, and empowerment for individuals as sexual beings through all of our engagements. 

I am earnestly working towards this mission by filling the gap in sexuality related education and guidance for occupational therapy professionals.  In addition to the digital education I have available on this site, I provide in person and virtual customized staff CEU training continuing education, curriculum and professor consultation, mentorship, and project management. Interested in customized staff training, curriculum development, consultation, or project management?  Let's chat!  Email me at [email protected].  

The Institute's customers are occupational therapy clinicians, professors, and students and we all share a commitment to advancing occupational therapy professionals' preparedness to address sexuality and intimacy. 

Occupational therapy professionals and the clients they serve deserve Sex-positive, current, culturally relevant, holistic, and trauma-informed definitions of sexual activity and intimate social participation to guide intervention.  

These are the Institute for Sex, Intimacy and Occupational Therapy's 2020 official definitions which will be revised annually or sooner if necessary.  Please contact Kathryn with comments or suggested revisions. 

SEXUAL ACTIVITY: the broad possibilities of sexual expression and sexual experiences engaged in with self or others, requiring communication skills and informed by preferences, context, habits, and routines.  Sexual expression and experiences can result in a variety of outcomes such as fulfillment , affirmation, satisfaction, pleasure, attachment, relaxation, reproduction, assault, transmission of disease, remorse, and communication of one's identities, gender values, and beliefs.  

INTIMATE PARTNER SOCIAL PARTICIPATION: social interactions with potential, current, and past intimate partners, requiring communication skills and emotional regulation skills, and informed by habits, routines, and patterns.  Intimate partners may or may not engage in sexual activity.