BDSM (Kink-Aware) - BDSM is a term that is used to describe components of sex/intimacy that may involve dominance, submission, and control. BDSM practitioners may choose a power dynamic where a partner may take a role of dominance or submission. The acronym can be divided into several categories:
Bondage: Restricting a partner’s freedom of movement, may use ropes, handcuffs, restraints
Discipline: Agreed upon rules and punishments for a partner to exert control over another
Dominance: The act of showing dominance over a partner
Submission: The act of showing submission to another partner
Sadism and Masochism: Pleasure that a pattern may feel from either inflicting pain (sadism) or receiving pain (masochism), can be expressed in various ways
While these are broader categories, there is not one way to practice BDSM. Different types of play can include power play/total power exchange, pain, bondage, wax, edging, sensory deprivation, and/or humiliation.
ENM or CNM - is a relationship arrangement in which each participant gives informed consent to simultaneous, multiple intimate, romantic, and/or sexual relationships. These relationships include polyamory, open relationships, swinging, and relationship anarchy.
Sex-Positive providers are trained to assist you with:
- Setting healthy boundaries, including soft and hard limits
- Assist with agreements and gaining clarification
- Building effective communication skills
- Managing feelings of jealousy and new relationship energy (NRE)
- Transitioning to Ethical/Consensual Non-Monogamy
- Transitioning from Non-Monogamy to Monogamy
- Navigating parenting responsibilities with multiple partners
- Disclosing BDSM or ENM Status to those outside the communities
- Managing disapproval from others
- Discrimination
- Exploring safer sex and concerns with STIs/testing status
Our sex-positive, kink allied therapists may be attuned to the social, mental, biological, and culturally sensitive aspects of a client’s experiences. If you could benefit from working with a kink allied therapist that can provide a safe and non-judgmental space to explore and understand your sexual identity, navigating non-monogamy, feelings of shame, power dynamics, and self-acceptance, come and talk with us. We know that when you come into therapy, you can be vulnerable. We can help you feel seen and heard in a judgment free atmosphere. Working with our sex-positive, kink aware providers will save you time as we are already aware of many of the dynamics in BDSM and ENM. We will work with you, in a way that affirms your identity.