Health and Sexuality

Special Interest Group Meetings

Health and Sexuality SIG meets on average once every two months. Each meeting has a different focus and presenter. For examples of past focuses, see ‘Previous Meetings’ below.

If you’re interested in attending our meetings, please contact us.

Upcoming Meetings

May 2025

Annika Patmore

Sexual intimacy topics in undergraduate occupational therapy training - reviewing current education and discussing the future

Previous Meetings

  • February

    Rachel Wotton - Exploring the experiences of people with disability accessing sex worker services

  • November

    Kate Maxwell & Anita Brown-Major - Celebrating the work of Tess Deveze: Rerouting pleasure and tapping into neuroplasticity

    ___

    October

    Natalie Hamam & Bonnie Hart - Discussion on working with Intersex people

    ___

    September

    Anita Brown-Major - Discussing NDIS changes & impact on sexuality practice

    ___

    July

    Bridget Brennan - Introduction to OT & Sexuality

    ___

    April

    Postponed

    ___

    February

    Candice Care-Unger & Anita Brown-Major - Reflection on the WAS Conference in 2023

  • October

    Emma Rose - How practitioners can engage in non-stigmatising practice with the sex work community.

    ___

    August

    Iain Irving (OT)and Vanessa Arratia (SP) on their roles within the Royal Rehab Sexuality Service

    ___

    July

    Occupational Therapy Australia (OTA) biannual conference follow-up and group catch-up

    ___

    April

    Janelle Gullan from The Wild Orange Tree presenting on ‘Supporting Sexuality after Birth'

    ___

    February

    Sarah Palexas from Thrive Rehab presenting on ‘OT and Gender’

  • December

    Social networking & wrap up

    ___

    October

    Dr Monique Huysamen – Presentation on various academic work, including the SAAIL project.

    ___

    August

    Thrive Rehab - presentation on Binding 101 resource development

    ___

    June

    Robert Duff-Silsby - CEO from Luddi presentation on Ziggy device

    ___

    May

    Masturbation May – information and discussion on discussing masturbation with clients.

    ___

    March

    Heather Morrison - CEO from Bump'n presentation on Bump’n Joystick

  • December

    Candice Care-Unger – Former Team Leader at Royal Rehab Sexuality Service. Now Company Director and Specialist Social Worker and Psychosexual Therapist with Care Rehab.

    Tess Deveze - Occupational therapist and founder of ‘ConnectAble Therapies’ - Melbourne based occupational therapy consulting service on sexuality & intimacy

    ___

    October

    Diana Piantedosi – Presentation on research “Citizens or consumers? Seeking personhood through ‘personalised’ care in the National Disability Insurance Scheme”

    ___

    September

    Rebecca Keating - Presentation on the Occupational Performance Inventory on Sexuality and Intimacy (OPISI)

    ___

    July

    Rachel Wotton – PhD candidate “Exploring the experience of people with disability who access sex work services in Australia”

    ___

    May

    Anita Brown-Major – Information and discussion on sexual safety considerations as health professionals

    ___

    March

    Reading group on OT & Sexuality research articles

    ___

    February

    Dr Mitchell Tepper - Sexual Health Expert, Sexuality Educator, Consultant, and Counsellor.