1. RELATIONSHIPS AFTER A BRAIN INJURY for service users
The Way Ahead Conference
1st July 2017
Alison Towner
Sex and Relationship Psychotherapist
MSc, COSRT accredited

2. Workshop aims and plan Consider what intimacy is
Reflect on the challenges of intimate relationships after a brain injury
Discover new ways to develop more positive and meaningful intimate relationships

3. What do you want from an intimate relationship?
What does intimacy mean to you?
It might be helpful to think of a couple that you admire and why. May be:
same-sex or heterosexual
family/friend or celebrity
real or fictional from book/film etc

4. Intimacy “IN TO ME SEE” A two-way process Not mind-reading
Requires time
Requires effort

5. Four types of intimacy 1. INTELLECTUAL 2. EXPERIENTIAL 3. EMOTIONAL
4.SEXUAL

6. Differences between men and women?

7. Changes following BI for people in a relationship

8. If you are single

9. How might brain injury affect intimacy?
Intellectual
Cognitive difficulties
Communication problems
Experiential
Emotional

10. How might brain injury affect intimacy?
Sexual
Taboo
Lack of opportunity
Physical barriers
Loss of confidence
Change in relationship dynamic

11. Ideas for developing intimacy
Intimacy is a journey.

12. Ideas for developing intimacy
Increase self-awareness and self-esteem
If present, treat depression

13. Start with most comfortable type of intimacy
1. INTELLECTUAL
2. EXPERIENTIAL
3. EMOTIONAL
4.SEXUAL

14. Key to coping with change
Communication
Key to coping with change

15. Strategies to help communication
Think about everyone’s perspective
Consider different roles

16. Strategies to help communication
Prepare to communicate:
What to say (“I” phrases):
How do I feel?
What do I want?
When’s a good time?
Where?

17. Physical / sexual intimacy
Find ways to hug, kiss and handhold
Plan for intimacy

18. Resources
It may be difficult, but it is possible to find new ways to be intimate
Professional help
Personal counselling
Relationship counselling
Sex Therapy
Family counselling

19. Be patient – intimacy is a journey not a destination

20. Final summing up What intimacy is
How traumatic brain injury can affect intimacy
How you can improve intimacy
Any final questions?