The Ethics and Efficacy of Kink-Affirming Therapeutic Practice

dc.contributor.authorJarvis, Hannah
dc.date.accessioned2024-08-21T21:05:13Z
dc.date.available2024-08-21T21:05:13Z
dc.date.issued2024-07
dc.description.abstractBDSM, 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.
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11803/2532
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisher.institutionCity University of Seattle (CityU)
dc.rightsAttribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United States
dc.rightsopenAccess
dc.rights.urihttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/us/
dc.subjectBDSM
dc.subjectkink-affirming
dc.subjectcounsellor bias
dc.subjectsexuality-focused counselling
dc.subjectsex therapy
dc.titleThe Ethics and Efficacy of Kink-Affirming Therapeutic Practice
dc.typeCapstone
thesis.degree.disciplineCounselling
thesis.degree.grantorCity University of Seattle (CityU)
thesis.degree.levelMasters
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Counselling
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