Sexuality training in counseling psychology

Grief and Sexual Intimacy: Exploring Therapists' Views of Bereaved Clients

The interaction between sexual intimacy and grief remains unexplored despite its potential to offer valuable insights into how individuals, couples, and society perspectives shape bereaved individuals' sexual intimacy. Through semi-structured interviews with ten clinical psychologists and psychotherapists specialized in grief therapy, this study explores the impact of grief on sexual intimacy, the challenges faced by bereaved individuals, and the role of sexual intimacy in the grieving process. The study also investigates therapists' approaches to addressing sexual intimacy within grief therapy sessions. Findings reveal that grief often disrupts sexual intimacy, affecting individuals' ability to engage emotionally and physically with their partners. Factors such as secondary loss, emotional availability, traumatic experiences, and the nature of the loss contribute to difficulties in resuming sexual intimacy. Nevertheless, the helpful role of sexual intimacy in grief was also highlighted. Therapists note the significance of communication, mutual empathy, and understanding in overcoming these challenges, advocating for therapy to address these issues comprehensively. Moreover, therapist-related, client-related, and shared factors hindering the exploration of sexual intimacy in grief therapy were identified. Strategies for managing these challenges include normalizing discussions around sexual intimacy and death, integrating systemic approaches into therapy, and providing training in sexuality or sexual therapy for grief therapists. Overall, this study underscores the importance of recognizing and addressing the interplay between sexual intimacy and grief to support bereaved individuals effectively. Insights from therapists shed light on potential avenues for enhancing clinical interventions and fostering awareness of the complex dynamics surrounding bereavement and sexuality.

The Biopsychosocial Puzzle of Painful Sex

Genital pain associated with sex is a prevalent and distressing problem with a complex research and clinical profile. This article reviews the historical context of the "sexual pain disorders" and the circuitous trajectory that has led from the first mention of painful sex in ancient documents to the latest diagnostic category of genito-pelvic pain penetration disorder in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders as well as in other existing and proposed nomenclatures. Prominent etiologic research and emergent theoretical models are critically assessed, as is the latest treatment outcome research of note. Finally, the review points to a number of extant needs in the research and clinical effort, including an integrated biopsychosocial and multidisciplinary approach, randomized clinical trials, targeting of treatment barriers, and expansion of the entire enterprise to include populations that have not been considered. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, Volume 18 is May 2022. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.

Psychosocial Needs of Bisexual People: Findings from a Mixed-Methods Research Study

More attention has recently been paid to the unique experiences and health needs of LGBTQ + people. To date, there has been a limited focus on the distinct psychosocial needs of bisexuals. A larger mixed-methods study explored the wider needs of a LGBTQ + cohort. The aim of this paper is to report the specific experiences of bisexuals and highlight their distinct psychosocial issues and concerns. The online survey instrument contained Likert-scale and qualitative questions and was completed by a total sample of LGBT people (n = 125), of which 19 participants self-identified as bisexual. The qualitative responses of the bisexuals were extracted and analyzed separately to identify emergent themes that were: accessing responsive services, culturally competent services, supports and interventions, and knowledge, skills and confidence. The study findings inform and enhance the understanding of the issues that impact upon the health and well-being of bisexuals, thereby contributing to promoting the wider social inclusion and human rights agenda by guiding mental health service developments, policy initiatives, education provision and future research.