Talking about intimacy and sexuality with consumers of mental health services has often been difficult for providers, but the Temple Collaborative has now issued a new monograph that reviews the research literature in this often neglected field, recommends policy and program changes that mental health administrators can implement to create a more open atmosphere in their agencies, and suggests training programs for direct service personnel that increases both their comfort level and their clinical skills in talking about sexuality and intimacy within the context of their helping relationships. Past research has suggested that direct service clinical and rehabilitation workers are often uncomfortable with these still-taboo topics, although it is increasingly clear that intimacy and sexuality are essential aspects for the recovery of many individuals.
Program administrators and direct service personnel can click here to download a copy of the new monograph. The Temple Collaborative is also available to provide additional training, technical assistance, and consultation with regard to the intimacy and sexuality needs of those with mental health conditions, including in-person training programs, web-based technical assistance, and long-distance consultation. For more information on these, and other, training, technical assistance, and consultation programs, please contact us at TUcollab@temple.edu.