Part II: Therapeutic Considerations

In Part II, psychotherapeutic concepts related to working with clients with atypical sexuality (BDSM) will be explored in greater depth. Issues this marginalized community faces will be discussed with a particular emphasis on how psychotherapy as a profession can help or demonize their issues. In particular, therapeutic biases in working with these populations will be addressed with a focus on therapist’s values, and phobias. Effective ways of working with these clients will be discussed particularly using the Shahbaz-Chirinos Healthy BDSM Checklist and with live on-line interactive consultations.   Classes

1. Clinical Best Practice
2. Common Presenting Issues
3. Coming Out Kinky
4. Domestic Violence or Abuse
5. Cutting & Self-Harm

All classes in the Kink Knowledgeable eLearning Programs are approved to provide AASECT and APA continued education credits.

Best Clinical Practice

Key Learning Objectives

1. Discern three clinical best practices when working with clients who engage in intense BDSM
2. Articulate three ways to effectively support counseling clients who practice in a culturally competent manner.

Common Presenting Issues

Key Learning Objectives

1. To be able to identify two contraindications in the practice of BDSM.
2. To be able to discern three ways in which mental illnesses impact a clients ability to give consent.
3. To be able to identify five common psychotherapeutic issues individuals who practice BDSM may raise.
4. To be able to identify three common relationship issues people who practice BDSM may present with.

 

Domestic Violence vs Consensual BDSM

Key Learning Objectives

1. To be able to differentiate four ways in which abuse and violence are different from consensual BDSM practices.
2. To be able to identify three ways when BDSM behavior is harmful and or abusive.
3. To be able to describe three clinical best practices when working with clients who engage in intense BDSM practices.

Coming Out Kinky

Key Learning Objectives

1. To be able to describe the process of coming out.
2. To describe two clinical best practice processes in assisting individuals make decisions about when and how they wish to come out to their family, friends and peers.
3. Describe three clinical best practices and processes in assisting adults coming out to their children.
4. To describe two clinical best practice processes in assisting individuals who have been outed.

Cutting, Self-Harm, and BDSM

Key Learning Objectives

1. From a review of current ethnographic and primary research provide three examples of understanding NSSI with an emphasis on cutting.
2. To be able to describe three ways in which NSSI is different from consensual BDSM practices and relationships.
3. To be able to describe two ways when BDSM behavior is unhealthy and maladaptive.
4. To be able to apply three clinical best practices when working with clients who engage in intense BDSM cutting practices.