Kink-Aware Practice: What Your Clients Wish You Knew (But Are Afraid You'll Ask)
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The Wayne State University School of Social Work invites you to join us for an intriguing and intimate discussion sponsored by the WSU Alumni Association Small Plates, Big Ideas Program.
Led by social worker, author, consultant, and sex therapist Stefani Goerlich, PhD, this discussion will provide a 101-level overview of the BDSM community, its practices, nuances, and its mental health needs. Through lecture, case study, and discussion attendees will have a working knowledge of how to provide affirming care to BDSM practitioners, including conducting a Kink-Informed risk assessment. This talk contains content that is not graphic, but which some folks may find uncomfortable.
Wayne State MSW alum Goerlich works with Gender, Relationship, and Sexually Diverse folks as well as religious minorities and has over 15 years experience in supporting survivors of domestic and sexual trauma. An AASECT-Certified Sex Therapist and Board Certified Sexology Diplomate, Stefani has worked with high-risk young people, commercial sex workers, and survivors of human trafficking. She is currently in private practice in Metro Detroit, Michigan, where she offers Sex, Relationship and Mental Health therapy to members of the GSRD community, their partners, and their families.
Attendees will leave the discussion with the following:
- Understand the terms BDSM, kink and fetish, and be able to explain the commonalities and differences between these.
- Be able to describe at least 2 relationship dynamics common within the BDSM community.
- Conduct a kink aware risk assessment.
- Identify at least 3 clinical concerns that impact clients within this community
- Describe the difference between Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, and consensual kink
- Recognize their own clinical biases and identify 2-3 strategies to manage the same.
- Identify at least 2 intersectional identities and how they are impacted by a client's kink affinity.
- Explain at least 2 clinical interventions that can be used to assist kink identified clients.
Seating is limited. RSVP's are required.
