BDSM/Kink & Consensual Non-Monogamy Competency Training(4 CE Hours)

Description:

Many sexual and relationship minority clients want their therapist to have a basic knowledge of BDSM (Bondage & Discipline, Domination & Submission, Sadism & Masochism), kink, and consensual non-monogamy. Clients are also often afraid of disclosing their sexual preferences and relationship choices for fear of therapist judgment. Clients also often do not want the responsibility of educating their therapist in these topics.

This workshop will cover the basics of working with sexual minorities who practice BDSM and Kink as well as consensual non-monogamy. Participants will learn vocabulary to better communicate with clients who are in these populations. Common ways these sexual minorities are marginalized will be covered. Common clinical issues and helpful practices will be identified. Throughout the presentation opportunities to examine therapist bias will be present. Clinicians will also learn the basics of differentiating between safe, consensual BDSM practices and abusive practices and will gain tools to discuss these topics with clients.

Learning Objectives:

• Define 4 basic vocabulary used for BDSM, Kink, Fetish, and Consensual Non-Monogamy (CNM).
• List two ways BDSM/Kink clients may be marginalized.
• List two ways CNM clients may be marginalized.
• Assess and differentiate between safe and abusive practices in BDSM.
• List two clinical issues often faced by kinky clients.
• Name two clinical issues often faced by non-monogamous clients
• Explain two resources for use in working with kink and BDSM populations

Activity schedule

Presenters Bio:

Carrie Jameson, MA, LCPC, is a licensed professional counselor and holds a Masters in Clinical Psychology with a concentration in trauma.  She has studied somatic-based psychotherapy as a path to healing and has worked with survivors of sexual violence who struggle with depression, anxiety, flashbacks and meaning of life issues.  Also she has a passion for working with people exploring alternative lifestyles and sexuality. Carrie is on the leadership team at  Shalom Mountain Retreat Center  and leads retreats  in Illinois, Michigan and New York.

For ten years Jason Best worked at one of the most prestigious psychiatric hospitals in the country. As a core therapist at Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital, he gained an extensive background in treating depression, anxiety, and bipolar issues using a mix of CBT and DBT modalities. He is Level II Certified in Gottman Method Couples Therapy.

Jason specialize in working with gender and sexually diverse issues and enjoy working with LGBTQIAA individuals, poly people, nerds, kinksters, gamers, and trauma survivors.

In addition to my clinical work, he teaches classes on a variety of topics, including ways to improve communication, how to live a healthy, more balanced life, and how to manage negative or unhelpful thoughts. Jason is a regular speaker at the Multiplicities of the Erotic and Chicago Non-Monogamy conferences, a recurring guest on Wild and Sublime, and am currently a Lecturer at the University of Chicago teaching “Working with Alternative Sexual Interests and Relationship Structures”.

He is a member of Chicago Kink and Poly Aware Therapists (KPACT).