Intimacy, Sex and Relationship Challenges Laid Bare Across the Lifespan

This accessible book uses case studies to explore issues around intimacy, sexual function and sexual development over the lifespan, introducing applied principles and practices when working with sexuality-related issues. Introducing an easy-to-use 'Reflect and Respond' model as a framework for interactions, this book discusses a broad selection of topics and life stages, including hidden loss, gender identity, disability, early years experiences and older age. Exposing anonymized real-life experiences of intimacy, sexual function, and sexual development from birth to end of life, this book develops the reader's insight into sexual wellbeing and confidence in communicating about it. The experiential learning and research-based content in readable style will educate and inspire readers with an interest in sexual wellbeing and how this impacts on physical and mental health. Demonstrating how being open to talk about sex and intimacy can change lives, this guide is suitable for a wide range of health and social care professionals, including nurses, doctors, occupational therapists, social workers, psychologists and counsellors.

Judy Benns was a registered nurse for 42 years and spent 30 years specialised in sexual health, including HIV, contraception and psychosexual therapy. Prior to retiring, she worked as a clinical nurse manager for a nurse led contraception and sexual health service. Judy keeps updated with research and developments in contraception and sexual health provision, in particular for young people. Sue Burridge qualified as a direct entry midwife when she also facilitated a clinic for women experiencing vaginismus. She trained in psychosexual therapy and practice and is a member of the College of Sex and Relationship Therapists (COSRT) More recently, Sue has utilised her experience to progress to leading on the commissioning of contraception and sexual health service provision. Jean Penman is a former nurse specialist and a holds a senior accreditation with the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy, specialising in psychosexual counselling. She was awarded a Professional Doctorate for her specialist research interest, 'Engaging with medically unexplained physical symptoms in healthcare', at the Institute of Health & Social Care, University of Bedfordshire, England in 2016.

1.Experiences in Early Years 2.Reproductive Years 3.Losses in Reproductive Years 4.Unexpected Outcomes and Sexual Development 5.Mental Health 6.Gender Identity, Sexuality and Difference in Sexual Desire 7.Sexual Health 8.Women's Health 9.Marriage and Civil Partnership 10.Hidden Loss 11.Mid-Life 12.Older Age 13.Supervision