The Ethics and Efficacy of Kink-Affirming Therapeutic Practice
The Ethics and Efficacy of Kink-Affirming Therapeutic Practice
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Issue Date
2024-07
Authors
Jarvis, Hannah
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Abstract
BDSM, encompassing bondage, discipline, dominance, submission, and sadism/masochism, represents a multifaceted subculture often misunderstood and stigmatized in society despite its increasing visibility in mainstream media (Wuyts, 2022). Historically confined to underground communities, BDSM includes diverse practices and identities involving psychological, physical, and emotional play (Easton & Hardy, 2009). While media portrayals have raised public awareness, they frequently perpetuate harmful stereotypes, necessitating a more nuanced understanding of BDSM (Hillier, 2018). Academic research has begun to explore BDSM's complexities, recognizing its diverse membership across sexual orientations, gender identities, and cultural backgrounds (Moon, 2012; Hillier, 2018). Despite growing awareness, BDSM practitioners face stigma, particularly in healthcare and mental health settings, where biased or inadequate care can have significant negative impacts on well-being (Kolmes et al., 2006; Kaplan, 1980). This paper aims to destigmatize BDSM practices, highlight the risks of uninformed counselor biases, and explore the therapeutic potential within kink practices. It underscores the importance of kink-affirming care to prevent client shame and support self-actualization. By examining existing literature on kink-affirming care and its implications for ethical and effective counseling, this study seeks to advocate for greater cultural competence among mental health professionals to enhance client support and therapeutic outcomes.
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Keywords
BDSM , kink-affirming , counsellor bias , sexuality-focused counselling , sex therapy
License
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United States , openAccess