Occupational therapists’ practices in the context of gender and sexual dissidences: an overview of professional practice in Brazil

Abstract

Introduction: Occupational therapists are tasked with developing technical, political, and ethical actions that address the suffering and isolation of diverse groups, particularly those historically marginalized. This study focuses on gender and sexual dissidences – a term encompassing individuals who exist beyond or outside of identity categories (such as lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgenders, among others). Objectives: To present an overview of the practices of occupational therapists in Brazil with the population who experience dissidence of gender and sexuality. Method: Data were collected through an online survey using snowball sampling, initially reaching out to seed informants, professional entities, and social media networks. Data organization, analysis, and discussion were conducted using descriptive statistics, supplemented by the theoretical background of social occupational therapy, queer studies, and critical occupational science. Results: Ninety-five responses were analyzed, with informants reporting various motivations for their involvement with the topic, including personal and familial affinities and needs encountered within their professional contexts. A wide array of practices emerged, developed from distinct approaches across various professional domains. These were grouped into four main categories: individual consultations, group consultations, academic activities, and network articulation. Despite the relevance of theoretical-methodological frameworks, informants infrequently mentioned studies specifically addressing gender, sexuality, or occupational therapy in their responses. Conclusion: While contributions to the population who experience dissidence of gender and sexuality were noted, we identified no practices explicitly tailored to these populations or themes. Occupational therapists predominantly employ resources aligned with their core professional training and general education.