Kink, Nonmonogamy, and BDSM: What Every Therapist Needs to Know

With tens of millions of Americans engaged in various non-traditional sexual practices, we all have far more patients engaged in kinky sex than we realize. While many therapists wrestle with stereotypes and assumptions about kinky sex, many patients struggle with secrecy, shame, guilt, and isolation. They may wonder if their therapist will judge them for the activities they enjoy, and may simply leave therapy if their therapist pathologizes them once they reveal what they do.

In this course, Dr. Marty Klein educates therapists about what non-traditional sexual activities patients actually do, and why they enjoy doing so. He talks about how to assess these patients’ needs in order to provide the best treatment. Dr. Klein guides clinicians in examining their own beliefs about sexual intimacy, sexual communication, the uses of sexual imagination, and the nature of pleasure. A course highlight is Dr. Klein’s very practical discussion of do’s and don’ts about treatment.

This beginner’s/intermediate level course is comprised of three segments. The first two are presented in video, audio or text versions, while the third consists of two short text articles. Information for the course is drawn from research in psychology and medicine, and Dr. Klein’s 39 years of clinical experience with clients of all orientations, genders, preferences, and ages.