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Assessment and Treatment of Sexual Health Issues in Rehabilitation: A Patient-Centered Approach

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Practical Psychology in Medical Rehabilitation

Abstract

Assessing and treating the sexual health of people with disabilities and chronic health issues within the rehabilitation process is an important requirement within integrated care settings. Providers are encouraged to engage in self-assessment of personal beliefs about the sexual health and expression of people with disabilities, injury, and chronic illness, and should promote a sex-positive environment that is conducive to the exploration and treatment of these issues. Assessment and interventions related to sexual health should not only address sexual functioning, but should also incorporate barriers to sexual and reproductive health and expression among people with disabilities, disability identity, and self-concept. Brief screening questions for use with every patient presenting for rehabilitation, a comprehensive interview for use with patients with an identified sexual health-related issue, and recommendations for treatment goals and interventions including disability affirmative, cognitive-behavioral, acceptance-based, and practical approaches are offered. Suggested clinical guidelines aimed at exploring sexuality issues within rehabilitation settings are also addressed.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Eating Disorder Therapy LA, 4929 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, 90010, USA

    Elisha Mitchell Carcieri Ph.D.

  2. VA Long Beach Healthcare System, Behavioral Health (06/116-B), 5901 E. 7th Street, Long Beach, CA, 90822, USA

    Linda R. Mona Ph.D.

Authors
  1. Elisha Mitchell Carcieri Ph.D.
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  2. Linda R. Mona Ph.D.
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Linda R. Mona Ph.D. .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

    Maggi A. Budd

  2. Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

    Sigmund Hough

  3. Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA

    Stephen T. Wegener

  4. Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA

    William Stiers

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© 2017 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

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Carcieri, E.M., Mona, L.R. (2017). Assessment and Treatment of Sexual Health Issues in Rehabilitation: A Patient-Centered Approach. In: Budd, M., Hough, S., Wegener, S., Stiers, W. (eds) Practical Psychology in Medical Rehabilitation. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-34034-0_31

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-34034-0_31

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-34032-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-34034-0

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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