Kink & BDSM (4 CEs, 2023)

Therapists report that they are seeing more and more erotically diverse clients in their practices. This workshop is a vital primer for therapists, counselors and educators to better

understand their client’s experience, their specific issues and what specialized skills make for culturally informed and humble care.

Learning Objectives

Elements 1: Basics of Kink and Therapy

• List 2 key demographics, motivations, behaviors, and relationship roles common in the kink subculture
• Discuss three specific issues or concerns that bring kink-involved clients into therapy.

Elements 2: BDSM and the DSM

• Explain how the field of mental health has pathologized BDSM behaviors and interests.
• Compare three differences between the psychiatric/psychological literature and the sociological literature and how they characterize kink interests and behaviors

Presenter Bio

Anna Randall, MSW, DHS, MPH is a clinical sexologist and sex therapist in the San Francisco Bay Area. Anna has over 25 years of experience in both the private and public sectors of health and sexuality and career focus is on the nexus of healthcare and sexual health. She lectures nationally to both professionals and consumers on the special mental health needs of sexual minorities and research focuses on relational power dynamics, self actualization and attachment. Her busy therapy practices in SF and Silicon Valley exemplify the vast interests and personalities of the kink community.

Richard Sprott received his Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology from UC Berkeley in 1994. He is currently directing several research projects, including a study of homelessness among LGBTQ teens and emerging adults; BDSM/kink identity development; healthcare experiences and health status of kink-identified people; and how social saturation affects identity and mental health. Richard currently teaches courses in the Department of Human Development and Women’s Studies at California State University, East Bay and graduate and undergraduate level courses at various universities in the Bay Area, including UC Berkeley, the California Institute of Integral Studies, and Holy Names University.