*CLASS CANCELED* When We Want The Imbalance: Working With Consensual Power Dynamics

Historically, pathologization of BDSM has created a barrier for accessing mental health treatment, and while there is more acceptance and understanding of kink overall, many people who expand their dynamics outside the bedroom still face a lot of misunderstanding and stigma in therapeutic spaces. Power Exchange and Authority Transfer dynamics can take many forms for the people involved, from being present during kinky play to informing and applying to all aspects of someone's life and relationship. To mental health professionals, the way these consensual relationships are structured can appear similar to the power imbalances many of us learned were red flags. This class unpacks and discusses working with clients involved in consensual power dynamics, including thinking about how we are creating a welcoming environment, challenging our own assumptions, and navigating how that dynamic may interact with the therapeutic work.