Circles of Sexuality (Exercise)

• You will need: pen and paper
• Estimated time: 30 minutes

Task description

The Circles of Sexuality is a strength-based model created by Dr. Dennis Dailey, and it offers five distinct areas of sexuality: sensuality, intimacy, identity, reproduction, and sexualization. Thus it provides a holistic, multi-layered, strengths-based perspective on sexuality. And why is that important? It is crucial to understand the full spectrum of human sexuality  if we want to grasp the effect our sexuality has on our life and mental health.  Sexuality is not just penetrative sex, it is a very broad concept. Thus, sex and sexuality doesn’t and couldn’t be confined to “bedroom”, and the Circles of Sexuality model helps to understand why.

To start this exercise get a paper and a pen, and write “sexuality” in the middle of your paper. Around the word sexuality write the next words in a circle:

• sensuality
• intimacy
• identity
• reproduction
• sexualization

Next to or around these five words write other words, phrases, associations that come up for you. What do you think sensuality, intimacy, identity etc. is in this context? How are they being present in your or others’ life? Do they have a place in the definition of sex that media and culture teaches to us? Try to come up with as many associations to each word as you can.

After finishing your braintsorming, take a look at the comprehensive definitions in the Circles of Sexuality handout adapted from D. Dailey, “Sexual Expression and Aging,” in F. Berghorn & D. Schafer, eds., The Dynamics of Aging (Westview Press, 1981) by the Minnesota Department of Health. Immerse yourself in the definition and add  a few thoughts to your drawing if you feel like it.

After your Circles of Sexuality drawing is ready think about the following questions and write about them:

• Which of the five sexuality circles feels most familiar?
• Which of them is less familiar?
• What do you think is the reason for this?
• Is there any part of these five circles that you never thought of as sexual?

How is this model relevant to my practice as a mental health professional?