Sex & Intimacy With Sujata Martin, MS, OTR/L

NogginsAndNeurons: The Website

Join the Noggins And Neurons Facebook Group

 

EPISODE TITLE: Sex & Intimacy with Sujata Martin, MS, OTR/L

EPISODE SUMMARY: In this episode of NOGGINS & NEURONS: Brain Injury Recovery Simplified, Deb talks with Sujata Martin about sex & intimacy. We covered:

• Sex, Sexuality, and Intimacy
• The impact of a neurological diagnosis on the pelvic floor, function and one’s identity
• Where sex and sexuality are addressed in the OT Practice Framework, 4th edition
• How fine motor deficits impact bowel & bladder management, including catheter management
• Sexual expression, psychological & physical aspects of intimacy
• Finding the right practitioner-why properly trained OT practitioners may be able to help & finding a good provider/client fit
• The role of occupational therapy practitioners in addressing sexual needs of clients, including clinician responsibility in receiving client responses; the importance of withholding judgment to avoid damage to the client
• Additional training required to treat pelvic dysfunction & to provide sex counseling
• The importance of client questioning and, sometimes, persistence, when advocating to getting one’s needs met
• Being open to considering other possibilities such as adaptations to enhance connection and intimacy
• Being mindful not to adapt to the caregiver & sick role only - remembering who you are to maintain relationship
• Sexuality as a means of strengthening relationships with one’s partner(s) and oneself

We hope you enjoyed this episode of Noggins And Neurons. As always, we want to hear from you! Email us at [e-mail]

 

Show References

Mellor, R.M. et. al, (2013). Healthcare professionals’ views on discussing sexual wellbeing with patients who have had a stroke: A qualitative study. PLOS | ONE, 8(10).

Naphtali, K., MacHattie, E., Elliott, S.L. & Krassioukov, A. (2009). Pleasure ABLE: Sexual device manual for persons with disabilities. Disabilities Health Research Network.

O’Shea, A., Frawley, P., Leahy, J. W., & Nguyen, H.D. (2020). A critical appraisal of sexuality and relationships programs for people with acquired brain injury. Sexuality and Disability, 38:57-83. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11195-020-09616-5

Prior, S., Reeves, N., Peterson, G., Jaffray, L., & Campbell, S. (2019). Addressing the gaps in post-stroke sexual activity Rehabilitation: Patient Perspectives. Healthcare 7, 25; doi:10.3390/healthcare7010025

Occupational Performance Inventory of Sexuality & Intimacy 

• University of Indianapolis-https://uindy.edu/health-sciences/ot/opisi
• Development of the Occupational Performance Inventory of Sexuality and Intimacy (OPISI): Phase One-https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/ojot/vol8/iss2/7/

Find a pelvic therapist: Pelvicrehab.com

Sujata’s website: pelvicsoul.com

Sujata’s book:  “Not Just Kegels – The Exhausted Mama’s Guide to Pregnancy & Postnatal Wellness”