SC24 – Bridging the Gap Between Clinicians’ Barriers and Effective Communication in Cross-Cultural Sexual Health-Care: Sexuality Taboos, Expression, and Identity
Location: Grand Peninsula E-G
Human sexuality as a bio-psycho-social phenomenon explores various forms of sexual values, attitudes and expressions. In many cultures, discussion of sexuality is taboo. Our studies indicate that many members of first and second-generation immigrant ethnic families in the USA struggle with repressive sexual attitudes, creating psychological stress and inhibitions. Findings also suggest that both clinicians of main stream and of sub-populations experience certain barriers and attitudes that may prohibit them from feeling comfortable bringing up the subject of sexuality with their clients. Most healthcare practitioners will be working with diverse sexual concerns at some time during their professional lives. Therefore, this awareness is essential for providing effective sexual health care and well-being. In this workshop, clinicians’ level of comfort, barriers, and attitudes when talking about sexuality will be highlighted, along with useful strategies to provide better engagement with their clients. Additional strategies used to build upon a person’s individual strengths to assist them in overcoming cultural and personal sexual imprints are offered. Clinical implications for the policy, practice, research and training of practicing physicians, psychotherapists, interns, and MFT graduates are discussed.
Educational Objectives:
- Describe the various barriers to sexual health care among both the main stream and sub-population clinicians.
- Identify three communication strategies among clinicians to facilitate effective cross-cultural sexual health care.
- Apply two brief therapy interventions suitable for treating sexuality related stress among diverse clients.