Brain Injury

Stroke

Clinical Practice (assessment, diagnosis, treatment, knowledge translation/EBP, implementation science, program development)

Instructional Course

(600580) IC 19: Building Your Toolkit to Address Sexuality and Intimacy After Brain Injury

Presenter(s)

• 

  Kathryn Farris, OTR/L

  ABI Clinical Education Coordinator
  Shepherd Center
  Atlanta, Georgia
• 

  Marisa King, PT, DPT

  Clinical Manager – Inpatient Brain Injury Unit
  Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation – West Orange Campus
  West Orange, New Jersey
• 

  Chelsea Day, PsyD

  Clinical Neuropsychologist; Inpatient ABI Neuropsychology Supervisor
  Shepherd Center
  Smyrna, Georgia

This workshop on sexuality and intimacy in brain injury rehabilitation has been developed to reduce stigma and build knowledge, imparting an increase in comfort that leads to action in addressing the topic for our patients.  Content shared will include: biopsychosocial factors, sexual dysfunction and the impact on the person with a brain injury and their partners, cultural and interpersonal aspects to consider, and communication strategies to employ.  Throughout the workshop, attendees will participate in reflection on current practice and potential biases, as well as institutional practices and policies.  Upon completion of the workshop, attendees will come away with tools to facilitate change in practice within their organization.

Learning Objectives:

• Examine the importance of addressing sexuality and intimacy after brain injury as a vital component of holistic care in the rehab process.
• Recognize the changes a person with a brain injury may experience that could impact their sexual expression.
• Apply the principles of the Ex-PLISSIT model to case scenarios in small groups.
• Identify your barrier(s) in addressing sexuality and intimacy in brain injury rehabilitation practice and a strategy to improve in practice.
• Discuss a plan to implement practice change within your individual rehabilitation programs to address sexuality and intimacy with all brain injury patients.