Beating Around the Bush: Navigating Non-Sexual Kink in Counseling

Sexually competent counselors must be prepared for all representations of human sexuality in the counseling room, including non-sexual BDSM practices and lifestyles. This presentation elaborates on these practices and provides information and resources for counselors to become familiar with and comfortable discussing BDSM with clients who wish to do so.

 

1. Recognize common terminology and practices in the Bondage & Discipline, Dominance & Submission, Sadism & Masochism (BDSM) community
2. Distinguish between BDSM as a sexual activity and BDSM as a non-sexual activity
3. Interpret BDSM activities through several theories including serious leisure, self-actualization, and transformative ritual
4. Distinguish between healthy BDSM activities and concerning self-harm practices
5. Distinguish between healthy BDSM dynamics and unhealthy abusive relationships
6. Discuss BDSM activities with clients in a way that is not judgmental, stigmatizing, or harmful
7. Broach more nuanced conversations around BDSM activities, fantasies, and related desires, both in sexual and non-sexual terms
8. Investigate counselor's own values and biases around sex, relationships, power dynamics, and other aspects of BDSM
9. Recognize ethical standards around competence as outlined in the ACA Code of Ethics and how these standards apply to working with kinky clients