Description
This self-access class explores the impact of acquired brain injury on sexual wellbeing, intimacy, relationships and quality of life, equipping therapists with evidence-based knowledge and practical approaches to support individuals and couples.
This self-access class outlines the common changes in sexual functioning, intimacy, relationships and sexual wellbeing that may occur following an acquired brain injury and explores the complex factors that can contribute to these changes. Forms of support are reviewed, drawing on key studies and the evidence base, with a focus on both individuals and couples.
The historical neglect of sexuality support within neuro-rehabilitation is highlighted as an important context for the potential contribution of relationship and psychosexual therapists working alongside rehabilitation professionals. This class provides relationship and psychosexual therapy professionals with the key brain injury-specific knowledge required to adapt and expand their practice with this clinical population.
Class Structure
- Introduction to forms of acquired brain injury in adults and common changes in sexual functioning, intimacy and relationships following brain injury.
- Understanding the factors that contribute to changes in sexual functioning, intimacy and relationship experiences following brain injury.
- Professional responses to sexuality-related needs within neuro-rehabilitation.
- Approaches to supporting sexuality-related needs: education, individual psychological therapy, couples therapy, group approaches and neuro-adapted psychosexual interventions.
- Brain injury, sexuality, the law and mental capacity assessments.
- Developing collaborative practice between psychosexual therapists and neuro-rehabilitation clinicians to support sexuality-related needs following brain injury.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this self-access class, participants will be able to:
- Describe common changes in sexual functioning, intimacy and relationships that may occur following acquired brain injury.
- Identify the neurological, psychological, relational and social factors that influence sexual wellbeing, intimacy and relationships following brain injury.
- Explain the role of neuro-rehabilitation services in responding to sexuality-related needs.
- Evaluate a range of evidence-based approaches for supporting individuals and couples experiencing difficulties relating to sexual functioning, intimacy and relationships following brain injury.
- Recognise the legal and mental capacity considerations relevant to sexuality and relationship work within this population.
- Apply brain injury-specific knowledge to adapt psychosexual and relationship therapy practice.
- Identify opportunities for collaborative working between psychosexual and relationship therapists and neuro-rehabilitation professionals to support the sexuality-related needs of people living with acquired brain injury.
About the Trainer
Dr Giles Yeates is a consultant clinical neuropsychologist and couples therapist (Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy) who has over 20 years’ experience in clinical practice, research and training within community brain injury services.
Dr Yeates has pioneered the adaptation of psychological therapies and neuropsychological rehabilitation interventions to support survivors of brain injury and their significant others. Dr Yeates has been a key figure in raising the profile of sexuality needs in neurological conditions as a priority for rehabilitation and community services.
