Becoming a Kink Aware Therapist

Description

As a result of recent media interest, the practice of BDSM has become more mainstream yet remains marginalized. Now more than ever, greater numbers of heterosexual and LGBTQ couples are starting to explore some form of BDSM. However, profound misunderstandings continue leading to unintentional physical and psychological harm. Drawing on current research and ethnographic narratives from the kink community, this book seeks to provide psychotherapists with an introductory understanding of the culture and practice of BDSM, and presents specific therapeutic concerns related to common misconceptions. This book strives to de-pathologize BDSM practices, while also providing concrete ways to distinguish abuse from consent, harmful codependency, and more. Packed with practical suggestions and rich case studies, this book belongs on the shelf of every therapist seeing BDSM and kink clients. Caroline Shahbaz, BBSc(Hons), MPsych, MA, is a trained clinical psychologist. She has spoken widely at conferences across the US and Australia on issues related to BDSM relationships, consensual master slave dynamics and kinkophobia as it applies to the practice of psychotherapy. Peter Chirinos, MA, LPC, NCC, DCC, is the president and CEO of Capital Counseling Services, LLC, where he provides psychotherapy services as well as professional coaching, training and expert consultations in the area of sex, intimacy, and alternative sexualities. Cover......Page 1 Half Title......Page 2 Title Page......Page 4 Copyright Page......Page 5 Dedication page......Page 6 Contents......Page 8 List of Figures......Page 10 List of Tables......Page 12 Foreword......Page 14 Note......Page 16 Foreword......Page 18 Preface......Page 20 Acknowledgments......Page 24 Introduction......Page 26 Pathologizing Sexuality......Page 30 Healthy Sexuality Defined......Page 31 What Is BDSM?......Page 34 BDSM Practices......Page 35 BDSM Relationships......Page 37 Altered States of Consciousness......Page 40 BDSM Culture: Role of Ritual and Symbolism......Page 41 Defining Healthy BDSM Relationships......Page 44 Notes......Page 47 Chapter 3: Is It “Bad,” “Mad,” and “Sick” or, Is It Okay?......Page 48 Psychopathology and Mental Disorders Defined......Page 49 Sexual Masochism and Sadism Disorders......Page 50 BDSM Demographics......Page 51 Debunking BDSM Myths......Page 53 Psychobiology of BDSM......Page 54 Social Persecution and Discrimination......Page 56 Summary......Page 59 Notes......Page 60 Persecution or Psychopathology......Page 61 Kinkophobia and Othering......Page 62 Othering Consciousness......Page 64 Summary......Page 65 BDSM as a Cultural Identity......Page 66 Development of Awareness......Page 67 Establishing a Therapeutic Container......Page 68 Client Characteristics......Page 71 Contraindications and Exclusionary Criteria......Page 72 Common Client Issues......Page 73 Notes......Page 89 Domestic Violence versus BDSM......Page 90 Research......Page 91 Clinical Considerations......Page 94 Non-Suicidal Self-Injury and Intense BDSM Sensation Play......Page 96 Research......Page 97 Motivations for Cutting......Page 99 Interface with Masochism......Page 103 Reframing Cutting: From Destructive to Constructive......Page 107 Call for Future Research......Page 109 Codependency in BDSM Relationships......Page 110 Ending a BDSM Relationship......Page 113 BDSM Pornography versus Reality......Page 116 Notes......Page 118 Chapter 7: Into the Psychotherapeutic Borderland......Page 120 Pain Reframed......Page 122 Therapeutic Relationship Container......Page 124 Container for Deeper Insight and Growth......Page 125 Container for Mental, Emotional, and Physical Disabilities......Page 126 Transformative Authenticity......Page 129 Notes......Page 132 Appendix A: Shahbaz-Chirinos Healthy BDSM Checklist......Page 134 Appendix B: NCSF’s Annual Incident Reporting......Page 144 Note......Page 146 Organizations......Page 147 Informational Websites......Page 148 Events (Educational)......Page 149 References......Page 151 About the Authors......Page 164 Index......Page 166