During discussion the group noticed how the flirtatiousness of the patient had appeared suddenly at the time that she was talking about her abuse. With the knowledge that abused people often find the maintenance of boundaries difficult, it was possible to understand that she might have difficulties maintaining the boundaries of a professional relationship with [...]

Referral may be to a counsellor who is trained to work either with the individual or the couple (or sometimes the family). It is essential that the counsellor is known to be comfortable with sexual issues and to be able to make people comfortable talking about them in private. Counsellors who have had training in [...]

Another woman attended a community family planning clinic rather than her own GP (a keen enthusiast for contraceptive provision who was always trying to persuade her to attend him instead!), because she wanted to be supplied with two diaphragms. One she left in the drawer at home in the mornings, the other went to work [...]

It is possible that if this man had been able to talk in more depth about his feelings regarding his wife’s depression he might have been able to hear more of the facts about the operation. Sometimes a man may feel guilty and responsible when a pregnancy causes illness or suffering in his wife, and [...]

The sexual needs of people with disabilities have been considered within the broad areas of emotional needs, practical problems and contraception. In practice, concerns about all these areas are often present at the same time, although one aspect may dominate any one particular consultation. Where an able-bodied person, if she or he so wishes, can [...]