Sex is an innate human behavior. Much of the research and interventions in these areas tend to focus on sex education and interventions to reduce unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. These narrow areas limit the more expansive sexual areas of gratification and expression as well as short, immediate, and long-term health benefits. To call attention to these areas, the World Association for Sexual Health Declaration of Sexual Rights calls for respect and protection for all humans to engage in consensual sexual activity, access to sex education and related healthcare, and pursue a satisfying sexual life. Within health and mental health therapies, therapists are encouraged to initiate and engage in sexuality dialogues in treatment and supervision that emphasizes the diverse ways that humans express sexuality and engage in sexual behaviors. It is a supportive and non-judgmental stance that is based on individual determinations of pleasure in respectful relationships. Although there has been an increase of literature in this area, there continues to be dearth of information as to how art therapists can incorporate more supportive approaches in their work.
This special issue aims to disseminate theoretical paradigms, case reports, research, and perspectives that indicate how art therapists have worked with individuals, groups, agencies, institutions, and communities to incorporate beneficial and healthy sexuality dialogues. Some questions to consider include:
- How have art therapists incorporated sex positive frameworks?
- What ways have art therapists trained practitioners and students to prepare them initiate and engage in healthy sexuality dialogues?
- How have art therapists adapted sex positive frameworks in considerations of intersectional and various racial, social, and cultural identities?
- How have supervisors and educators prepare themselves with sex positive frameworks through training, values clarification, and countertransference identification?
- How have art therapists collaborated with sex therapists and what has art therapy specifically offered?
