Sexual assessment and counseling in primary care

This article describes the role of the nurse practitioner in sexual health assessment and sexual counseling. Topics of potential sexual health concerns of primary care clients are identified. The essential components of sexual counseling consist of establishing a trusting relationship with the client, developing a systematic repertoire of questions to screen for sexual health concerns, and one-on-one counseling with the permission, limited information, specific suggestions, and intensive therapy (PLISSIT) model. References for further information on sexual education and sexual health are identified.