Sexuality and Intimacy Education and Resources for Occupational Therapy Practice at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab

Abstract

Addressing sexuality and intimacy in occupational therapy (OT) continues to be neglected throughout rehabilitation settings. Common barriers to practice such as lack of knowledge, lack of resources, lack of time, and therapist discomfort continue to widen the gap in holistic, client-centered practice. This doctoral capstone project and experience explored this gap, targeted the barriers, and advocated for inclusion of sexuality and intimacy education and resources at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab (SRALab) in Chicago, IL. Multiple needs assessments were conducted in order to gather information and target the specific gap in holistic OT practice. Lack of education and resources were key contributors that explained why sexuality and intimacy were not being regularly addressed in OT practice at SRALab. The doctoral capstone student’s mission was to increase clinicians’ confidence, comfort, and knowledge about topics related to exploration of patients’ sexuality and intimacy after spinal cord injury (SCI), with the ultimate goal to increase overall patient satisfaction and quality of life.