The cultural norms of the LGBTQIA communities are often ignored or misunderstood by medical professionals using a heteronormative mindset. This is especially true for those who live a BDSM/kink lifestyle. This additional level of judgment adds unnecessary barriers to seeking mental health support. As a community, we know not to yuck a kinkster’s yum, but when your mental health provider judges your play style or favorite fetish, you can be further traumatized while trying to get support.

Many of us engage in BDSM as a means to re-empower ourselves, taking negative or traumatic experiences (like sexual or physical abuse) and inverting them into acts of power and healing. Working with a kink-aware therapist can help you navigate your past and build a stronger foundation for sexual expression.

Kink-aware psychotherapy can help you develop a sense of agency, even from the submissive side of a D/s relationship. That agency grants you the strength to choose the type of sex you engage in, improving your self-image and grounding your place in the community.

For more information, reach out via our CONTACT page for a free 20-minute consultation.