Live webinar air date: September 12, 2025, 1 p.m. Eastern time
Date
CE credits
1.5
Exam items
15
Series
Description
Emerging research demonstrates that BDSM/kink can assist individuals in healing from past trauma. Some kink practitioners appear to intentionally seek out these purposes from kink, while others may experience healing as a by-product. This presentation aims to increase clinicians’ cultural competence with the diverse spectrum of kink sexualities, relational dynamics, and unique experiences of stigma. A brief introduction to the BDSM/kink community will be presented, followed by a review of research and clinical accounts that support personal growth and healing from BDSM/kink engagements. The risks and benefits of trauma-informed kink play for psychosomatic healing will also be reviewed and discussed.
Learning objectives
- Describe two common myths about BDSM practitioners.
- Discuss at least three ways BDSM/kink can facilitate personal growth and healing from trauma.
- Identify two potential risks to using BDSM/kink activities for psychological and somatic healing.
Presenter
Shveta Mittal, PhD
Mittal is a licensed clinical psychologist, certified psychedelic practitioner, and co-chair of APA Division 44’s BDSM Task Force. She has worked extensively with those who experience acute psychological distress from a sex-positive, person-centered, trauma-informed lens. She has over a decade of experience helping clients develop a better understanding of themselves, while facilitating improved coping, insight, and personal growth. She has worked specifically with first responders and those holding multiple minority identities, providing consultation and culturally competent care.
