![]() ![]() ![]() We have used the terms “spouse” and “intimate partner” interchangeably. FRED LOOPMAN SARASOTA FLORIDA PROFESSIONALTo fill a gap in the literatureon models for couples group therapy with breast cancer patients and their intimate partners, we have made an effort to integrate a summary of the available pertinent literature (using the websites MEDLINE/PubMed and Psyc INFO) with clinical insights stemming from our own professional experience in the clinical field of couples group therapy. The work presented herein is intended to encourage the health providers of breast cancer patients to consider offering more holistic care, given the importance of these neglected psychosexual issues. Similarly, in research, the psychosexual problems of couples living with breast cancer are relatively unexplored, and this is particularly the case regarding group therapy options. In the busy practice of oncologists, intimacy and sexuality are often forgotten and sidelined, as the focus is the disease and related multimodalities of therapy. In view of the pertinent literature in this area and based on our clinical experience utilizing this group therapy model with different patient populations, we have discussed how clinicians involved in the psychosexual care of oncology patients could apply such a model within a couples group therapy format. In this article, we extended the use of the manualized and empirically validated Supportive-Expressive Group Therapy (SEGT) model to target the specific psychosexual needs of couples with breast (as well as other types of) cancer. A clearer understanding of these complex clinical issues is needed in order to implement effective psychosexual rehabilitation interventions. Additionally, both intimate relationship problems and partners’ distress are likely to influence patients’ psychosexual health. Concerns about health, sexuality, and emotional distress are common among women with breast cancer and are often related to the side effects of cancer treatment. The need for the psychosexual rehabilitation of breast cancer survivors and their intimate partners is underscored by the high prevalence of multiple psychosexual difficulties encountered by this patient population. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |