Working with Fetish, BDSM, and Kink Practices
Kink-Affirmative Therapy
Recorded Saturday 25 February 2023
with Dr Lori Beth Bisbey, Dominic Davies, Anna Randall, Dr Richard Sprott, and Dr Ryan Witherspoon
CPD Credits: 4 hours
Many therapists struggle with their responses when working with clients who engage in kink, fetish, and/or BDSM. However, research suggests that a vast number of people, both clients and therapists, engage in, or fantasise about, BDSM and kink practices and pathologising is still dominant with therapists reporting not feeling competent with this work.
READ MORE...It has been a number of years since BDSM was declassified from the psychiatric nomenclature, yet knowledge and understanding of how to work with clients with erotic interests, behaviours, and identities is still not commonly found in trainings. In this conference we offer a space for deeper understanding and holding to demystify and de-stigmatise such practices.
During a therapeutic session with clients that engage in kinks, fetishes or BDSM, the therapist may experience disgust or embarrassment, shame dynamics may take over, and a need to objectify and distance from the client may emerge. They may feel deep concern if fetish activities include rough sex or bondage and not know when, or if, they should intervene.
Our speakers will address these concerns and consider ways of being with clients in order to create a safe space and understanding, without fear and judgement. We welcome therapists and mental health practitioners of all modalities and disciplines to join us to learn more about how to work in this area.
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