Consensual Kink and the Enthusiastic Maybe After Trauma
Rachel Gardull, MSW, LISW, CST | September 20 | 3:15-4:15 pm
Topic: Conceptual, Direct Service | Knowledge Level: Advanced
Rachel will focus on the intersection of desire, bondage, discipline (or domination), sadism, and masochism (BDSM), and trauma history and how to work with clients that are living in that intersection. This will start by exploring each of those intersections as individual concepts linking them back to the dual control model of desire with a cursory description of the sexual excitation system and sexual inhibition system (Nagoski, 2015). The central point of the therapeutic concept will be to explore the interventions necessary for working with clients with these lived experiences. Interventions begin by exploring sex education, and safety education. Rachel will explain how intervention later moves towards empowerment through the lens of healing centered engagement. Healing centered engagement provides a holistic view of healing from traumatic experiences and environments by exploring awareness and actions that address the conditions that created the trauma in the first place (Prilleltensky, 2008). Rachel will use position statements and concepts of self-liberation, as supported by AASECT, as supporting arguments for the interventions. Rachel will also talk about the barriers that have come up in this work and the tools that have helped clients to experience sex and kink that they feel is for them and pleasurable. Rachel will bring examples from cases as well as research and educational topics from the Nation Coalition for Sexual Freedom (NCSF). In conclusion, Rachel will wrap up with a call to destigmatize kink practices and the biases clinicians hold regarding the ways in which our clients find healing in the consent and connection it brings.
Presentation Objectives:
· Describe ways to engage with clients looking to connect with sexuality and kink after trauma
· Explain how to evaluate for safety
· Explain how to educate on nuanced consent
· Discuss trauma implications on sexual health