Queer & kinky: what do queer BDSM practitioners need from psychosexual therapy to ensure their experience is relevant and inclusive?

Abstract

This paper explores the perspectives and experiences of 4 queer BDSM practitioners based in England, UK, to discover what they would require from psychosexual therapy, as well as their psychosexual therapist, for psychosexual therapy to feel relevant and inclusive of their needs and identities. By conducting semi-structured interviews to explore the realities of each participant, several themes were drawn from the data using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Findings highlighted how participants wanted a psychosexual therapy experience that was free from stigma; considerate of language; preferably with a queer and kinky psychosexual therapist and lastly, a psychosexual therapy experience free from the shackles of normative assumptions. Implications for contemporary practice have been underlined with recommendations given to support psychosexual therapists in their work with this specific client group.

LAY SUMMARY

This paper explores the ways in which psychosexual therapy and the psychosexual therapists who deliver it can provide a more inclusive therapeutic experience for clients who are both queer and kinky. Semi-structured interviews were used to explore this topic and the paper concludes with recommendations based on findings from data.

Keywords:

• Queer
• kink
• BDSM
• LGBT+
• psychosexual therapy

Acknowledgements

I wish to give thanks to my loved ones, as always, for their encouragement, support, and kindness. I would also like to extend my thanks to John Reilly-Dixon, Senior Lecturer at The University of Sunderland, for his support throughout the research process.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Jody M. Sill

Jody M. Sill (she/her) is a COSRT certified psychosexual therapist and queer researcher based in the North of England, UK. Her academic interests reside within the realms of LGBT + issues, sex-positivity, kink, and inclusive sex education.