AOTA

Edited by Kathryn Ellis, OTD, OTR/L, AASECT–SC, and Joseph Christian Ungco, OTD, OTR/L

Conversations around sexuality have been silenced for far too long in the occupational therapy profession, but sex is an ADL that is deeply valued by many clients. 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. However, lack of knowledge, bias, embarrassment, and other barriers can prevent practitioners from addressing sexuality and intimacy with their clients. This textbook presents a comprehensive and holistic occupational therapy approach to sexuality that challenges readers to consider co-existing perspectives and practices related to sexual occupations and equips them to effectively address this important area.

Contents include—

• Chapter 1. Pleasure, Eroticism, and Occupational Therapy
• Chapter 2. Understanding Sexual Identity
• Chapter 3. Guided Self-Reflection of Self as a Sexual Being
• Chapter 4. Sexuality, Bias, and Impact: Preventing Clinician Harm
• Chapter 5. Sexual and Intimate Occupations Across the Lifespan
• Chapter 6. Sexuality and Intimacy Screening and Assessment
• Chapter 7. Intimate Partnerships
• Chapter 8. Sexual Activity as an ADL
• Chapter 9. Trauma-Informed Care
• Chapter 10. Personal Narratives of Sex, Intimacy, and Meaning
• Chapter 11. Interventions for Sexual and Intimate Occupations

Sexuality and Intimacy establishes a foundational knowledge base in addition to guiding readers to explore their own positionality and selves as sexual beings. Chapters then discuss how to address sexual and intimate occupations through evaluation, occupational performance analysis, trauma-informed care, and intervention planning and implementation. Throughout the text, key terms and concepts, case examples, and reflection prompts support learning and application, and personal narratives highlight the diversity in sexual and intimate experiences and perspectives to provide opportunities for readers to apply what they have learned.