Sex therapy and marital counseling for the disabled

The myth that handicapped people have no sexual needs has been recently dispelled. Professional concern is now present for their sexual rehabilitation, ideally starting shortly after injury, surgery or disease and continuing in specialized clinics for sexual counseling and therapy. The patients are referred either in couples or as singles, married or non-married. Therapy is similar to that for able-bodied individuals: the couple is seen together, then separately and finally together again for detailed discussion. Both the disabled and his or her partner learn that when open, honest communication is possible and sexual potential is present, a mutually rewarding sexual relationship can be obtained and developed.