Kink, BDSM, and Mental Health

Kinky sexual behavior has been brought into the mainstream through depictions like those in Fifty Shades of Grey. However, such fictional depictions can be misleading. This course details how therapists can work effectively with members of the kink community, as well as those who may not identify as part of the community but engage in kinky sexual behavior. Topics include common roles, identities, and behavior; supportive and educational organizations; identifying and addressing potential dangers; and most importantly, how to identify and set aside personal biases and beliefs that can make it challenging to provide a nonjudgmental, safe environment in which clients can share their whole selves.

1 hour CE. Recorded video format (non-interactive)

Content advisory: This course includes discussion of sexual topics and sexual behavior.

ESTIMATED COURSE LENGTH: 1.3 hours 

CE CREDITS: 1.00 continuing education/contact hours for social workers, psychologists, counselors, and marriage and family therapists

TARGET AUDIENCE: Mental Health Practitioners

LEVEL OF INSTRUCTION: Intermediate

PREREQUISITE(S): None

INSTRUCTIONAL METHOD: Recorded video format (non-interactive)

ACCESSIBILITY ACCOMMODATIONS: Closed captioning of audio components. In order to request further accessibility accommodations, please email support@psychhub.com.

COMPLETION REQUIREMENTS: To obtain your CE certificate, learners must complete a pre-test (not scored), progress through all course segments, complete a participant evaluation, and obtain a score of 80% or higher on a post-test. Learners are expected to complete the quiz within 3 attempts. If unable to do so, the learner will need to re-review the course segments.

FINANCIAL/COMMERCIAL SUPPORT STATEMENT: This course has no commercial support.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST:  This course has no potential conflict of interest or outside commercial support. Psych Hub's conflict of interest statement is found in the footer of the training center.

GRIEVANCE AND REFUND POLICIES: Grievance and refund policies are found in the footer of the training center.

PARTICIPATION COSTS:  The cost to participate in this CE activity is included in the subscription registration fee.

COURSE CREATION DATE: 11/14/2020

By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

• Explain at least two ways in which mental health professionals have historically done a disservice to sexual minorities
• Describe at least two key components of the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for a paraphilia
• Describe at least four roles or behaviors common within the kink community
• Differentiate between healthy and abusive relationships within the kink context

1. Kink and BDSM in media
2. Basic terms and concepts
3. Kink and BDSM in the previous versions of the DSM
   1. Previous criteria
   2. Lobbying efforts to change
   3. Simply engaging in a paraphilia is not enough for a diagnosis
4. Understanding kink
   1. Relationship dynamics
   2. Relationship themes, roles, and identities
   3. Overlap with polyamory/consensual non monogamy
5. Applying knowledge of kink and BDSM in therapy
   1. Impact of personal values
   2. Client reluctance to acknowledge kink/BDSM behavior
   3. Research findings
6. Consent
1. Surface consent vs. informed consent
2. Different frameworks on consent and BDSM