ABSTRACT
The intersectionality of disability, sexuality and spirituality are often under-discussed among psychologists within clinical settings. Healthcare providers, including psychologists, receive little or no training in the assessment and treatment of people with disabilities, who identify religion and/or spirituality as important to their identity and world view. This chapter will discuss sexuality and intimate relationships within the context of people with disabilities who identify religion/spirituality as a central aspect in their lives, examining major world religions and their perspectives on disability and sexuality. A discussion of the ambivalence of assessing for and integrating spirituality within psychological treatment will be addressed. The strengths and advantages of acknowledging spirituality and religion will be explored, with particular attention paid to traditional religious practices, as well as mind-body practices (e.g., adapted yoga, meditation and prayer) that focus on addressing disability and sexuality from a broader perspective. A call for psychologists’ self-assessment on the complex interplay among disability, sexuality and religion/spirituality will be examined with suggested examples of tools for self-assessment. Finally, potential interventions and clinical examples will be provided to illustrate this type of work in practice.
(sexuality, religion, spirituality, disability, psychological health)
