Sexual content in Australian crisis telehealth

Abstract

This article explores the experiences of Australian crisis telehealth clinicians in supporting client presentations involving sexual content. Through semi-structured interviews with twelve telehealth clinicians, the study identifies the diversity of sexual wellbeing concerns disclosed, including sexual violence, complex trauma, and sexual identity issues. It highlights four key themes: clinician experiences of telehealth, the emotional and psychological impacts of disingenuous or predatory callers, factors influencing clinician comfort when supporting sexological presentations, and factors influencing perceived competence. Findings point to gaps in formal organisational training, support structures, and policies, with participants often relying on self-directed learning and resilience to manage challenging disclosures. The research underscores the need for structured workforce development and organisational clarity around supporting sexual wellbeing in crisis settings.