The Importance of BDSM Counsellors & Kink Affirmative Therapy
Many cultures consider sexuality to be taboo, including India and because of this, many people avoid discussing their sexual preferences with others for fear of being judged. And due to the stereotypes inculcated about BDSM in the society due to mainstream media, it gets marginalised as an abnormal sexual practise because it is a less common sexual experience. Due to their limited training in sexuality, the majority of therapists are susceptible to false information regarding sexual variety. A further difficulty for folks who don't find enjoyment in pain is comprehending how anyone else may engage in BDSM, which may involve inflicting physical pain to another person. Many individuals associate pinching, hitting, and dominance with abuse, and many therapists lack the education required to distinguish between non consensual abuse and consensual, mutually enjoyable BDSM play. Despite assumptions and erroneous associations in mainstream culture between kink and pathology, no extant research confirms kink practices are harmful to those with a trauma history. Therefore, no basis exists for discouragement or pathologizing of kink practice (Coppens et al., 2019; Richters et al., 2008). In fact, there is no statistically significant difference between kink practitioners and their non-kinky counterparts in terms of a history of traumatic experiences (Coppens et al., 2019). As long as it is done in a secure and consenting manner, we all have the autonomy to have a unique and healthy sexual expression that you can either enjoy alone or in a relationship. It's crucial that the therapist you work with makes room for the entire you—both as an individual and as part of a relationship—when you go to therapy.
Your lifestyle will be recognised and accepted in kink therapy. Everyone will accept you for who you are. When you see a BDSM counsellor, you are free to talk about this aspect of your life without fear of judgement, humiliation, or shame. Perhaps more importantly, your sexual interests or relationship structure are not perceived as "the issue." One such group is Another Light Counselling, which attempts to offer a secure setting free from any potentially damaging messages so that people can explore the limits of their sexual experience. The BDSM counsellors at this organisation assist their clients in processing the harm caused by negative messages and recovering from it, as well as dealing with the trauma that resulted from it. The goal of Another Light Counseling providing kink therapy is to assist their clients understand their hard and soft limitations while promoting safe and enjoyable sexual encounters that are a natural part of adult life. In kink therapy, your therapist will not try to "fix" or "change" your sexual self or the way you want to be in relationships. Instead, they will work to alleviate any shame or guilt that may be associated with kink and assist you in integrating them into your life and relationships. Additionally, kink affirmative BDSM counsellors will be able to distinguish between their own interests and desires and those of their clients. Instead of trying to "stop" or "change" certain sexual behaviors, they will meet you where you are and prioritize your needs.You are the expert on your sexual self, and you will be treated as such. A kink-aware therapist can tell the difference between healthy BDSM play and non-consensual abuse and see BDSM play as a normal part of the sexual spectrum. Ideally, such a therapist has read books, articles, lectures, websites, and/or discussion groups to learn more about BDSM. In kink therapy, they recognize that different people have different standards for what constitutes safe and unsafe play, and they are aware of both. Kink therapy is a great place to start if you want to explore your desires and needs, work through feelings of shame or guilt, communicate your sexual fantasies to your partner, set boundaries in your polyamorous relationship so that all partners feel accepted, or find ways to play out your desires in a safe, healthy, and consensual way. Another Light Counselling is laying the groundwork for a new era of clinical work in which our patients
should no longer be afraid of being shamed or forced to keep certain aspects of themselves a secret from us.