Bound by Ethics: Navigating the Intersection of Kink and Clinical Practice
Many providers are required to take ethics courses for licensure renewal and often these courses can seem drab and boorish. This is not another one of those courses! This course explores hot topics and concerns in ethics for clinical practice for clinicians who identify as kinky or work with kink-involved populations. These topics will include disclosures to clients, managing multiple relationships, record keeping, ethical concerns in sex surrogacy and pro domme work, technology safety in the era of frequent technology breaches representing risks of inadvertent outing of kinky folks, advertising risks and benefits, and unique ethical dilemmas. Dilemmas we will discuss include the following: when is a client impaired, which may become challenging when folks are exploring edgy state of consciousness shifting kink scenes; what to do when kink dynamics inadvertently enter the room and your dominate client starts dominating the submissive therapist or vice versa; and many more! Don’t miss this exciting new offering from the folks at TASHRA!
Intended Audience: The intended audience for this workshop is intermediate to advanced, including mental health and medical providers who have a basic knowledge about kink sexuality and providers with a more intermediate knowledge about kink.
Learning Objectives
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Clinician Self Disclosure: Participants will increase their understanding of relevant ethical concerns regarding disclosure of the clinician’s kink involvement to a kink involved client
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Multiple Relationships: Participant will be able to verbalize one risk management strategy for multiple relationships when the client and clinician both identify are kinky.
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Record Keeping: Participant will be able to clarify their record keeping process regarding kink affirmation paperwork and when to include or include details about kink from the clinical record.
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Technology Safety: Participant will be able to identify 2 safety techniques for protecting from inadvertent disclosure of kink identity in the era of technology breaches.
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Advertising: Participant will be able to identify 3 aspects of ethical concerns in advertising as a clinician specializing in treating kink involved populations.
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Ethical Dilemma Management: Participant will increase their knowledge about ethical dilemmas and their comfort in utilizing a formal ethical decision making process.
Presenters
Presenter name / pronouns
Anna Randall (she, her)
Richard Sprott (he, him)
Zita Nickeson (she, her)
Steve Ratcliff (he, him)
Presenter Bio – Anna
Anna Randall, DHS, MSW, MPH, LCSW (she/her/hers) is Co-Founder & Executive Director of TASHRA – The Alternative Sexualities Health Research Alliance (tashra.org). Over the last 25 years, Dr. Randall has focused on building knowledge and awareness of kink-sexuality as an emerging scientific area of clinical and research specialty. She earned her Master of Social Work (MSW) at Boston University. In San Francisco, at the Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Sexuality, she completed both a Master of Public Health (MPH) and a Doctorate of Human Sexuality (DHS). She is a published author, international lecturer, and content expert on diverse sexuality health and wellbeing. As part of her leadership role at TASHRA, she coordinates TASHRA’s teams creating and teaching continuing education courses for healthcare professionals, and mentors healthcare providers in kink proficient care; and establishing and building competencies in this expanding field. She is a Co-Principal Investigator on TASHRA’s International Kink Health Study, the PrEP4Kink Study, Kink and Flourishing Study and the Authority Transfer Research study amongst other developing research projects. She splits her time as a California LCSW in private practice as a sex therapist, where she works with sexually diverse individuals, couples, and other relational configurations. drannarandall.com
Presenter Bio – Richard
Richard Sprott received his Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology from UC Berkeley in 1994. He is currently directing research projects focused on identity development and health/well-being in people who express alternative sexualities and non-traditional relationships, with a special emphasis on kink/BDSM sexuality, and polyamory or consensual non-monogamy. He was the President of the Society for the Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity (APA Division 44) for 2021-2022. He is also the co-author of Sexual Outsiders: Understanding BDSM Sexualities and Communities (Rowman & Littlefield, 2013). Along with Dr. Elisabeth Sheff, he is co-editor of a new book series Diverse Sexualities, Genders, and Relationships from Rowman & Littlefield. He is currently the Research Director of TASHRA – The Alternative Sexualities Health Research Alliance. Richard currently teaches courses in the Department of Human Development and Women’s Studies at California State University, East Bay and graduate level courses at various universities, including UC Berkeley and Alliant International University.
Presenter Bio – Zita
Zita L. Nickeson, Ph.D., LMHC, LPC, CST-S
Zita Nickeson is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in WA, CO and is a Telehealth Provider in FL and ID. Zita is a Certified Sex Therapy Supervisor through the American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT). Zita completed her doctoral studies in human sexuality in 2022 from school with a focus on XYZ. Her dissertation concentrated on XYZ..
Zita is the owner/director of NW Sexual Counseling, a private practice specializing in sexual, gender and relationship therapy, education, and advocacy. She has maintained her private practice for over a decade, providing sex positive services to many underserved and rural communities. Counselor training and education in inclusive sexual healthcare is one of Zita’s passions. This has led her to supervise Master’s Level Counseling Students and Pre-Licensure Counseling Professionals for the past 8 years.
Having worked in the Mental Health field for over 20 years, Zita has also seen the significant need and importance of reducing stigma associated with sex and Kink in the healthcare field. With this in mind, Zita delightfully joined the TASHRA International Kink Health Survey team in January of 2019. Since then, she has enjoyed being a part of a larger, interdisciplinary team working towards creating a more Kink inclusive healthcare system!
You may find Zita at http://www.nwsexualcounseling.com/
Presenter Bio – Steve
Steve (he, him pronouns) is a licensed mental health counselor and AASECT certified sex therapist in private practice in Portland, Oregon who specializes in treating LGBTQ+, Kinky, and Consensually Nonmonogamous (CNM) clients. Steve completed his Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies in 2006 and his Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology in 2009. In 2018, Steve began doctoral studies in Clinical Psychology. Steve’s doctoral studies are focusing on gender, sexual, and relationship diversity (GSRD) and his dissertation study is currently examining trends in the sitgmatization of kink in a ten-year sample of mass news media articles. Steve joined the directors board of the National Coalition for Sexual Freedom (NCSF) in March 2021. Steve began volunteering with The Alternative Sexual Health Research Alliance (TASHRA) in late 2020. Steve’s research interests include studying various aspects of kink communities and other gender, sexual, and relationship diversity (GSRD) communities.
For more information about Steve, please visit www.steveratcliff.com.
Continuing Education Information
The Alternative Sexualities Health Research Alliance (TASHRA) is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. TASHRA maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
This program is approved for 6 CE credits.
This program meets the requirements of the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT) and is approved for 6 CE credits. These CE credits may be applied toward AASECT certification and renewal of certification. Completion of this program does not ensure or guarantee AASECT certification. For further information please contact [email protected].
TASHRA Training Areas
Interdisciplinary Practice & Ethics
- 1.24 Clinicians support the development of professional, interdisciplinary education (both medical and psychological health) and training on kink-related issues.
- 1.26 Clinicians understand the legal risks in kink and BDSM and take advocacy steps for their’ patients’ wellbeing in their clinical practice and documentation.
- 2.11 Clinicians collaboratively advocate with multiple different disciplines to at different levels and events to help destigmatize kink.
- 2.12 Clinicians make reasonable efforts to familiarize themselves with health, educational, and community resources relevant to clients / patients who are exploring kink or who have a kink identity, including sexuality and gender resources.
- 2.13 Clinicians advocate for kink-positive legislation. Clinicians may refer to kink-advocacy organizations such as TASHRA or NCSF for information about call-to-actions for relevant legislation.
- 2.14 Clinicians are able to attend and self-regulate prior and post attending in-vivo kink events with exposure to kink variety such as impact, restraint, role-play, furry, etc. Activities.
- 2.15 Clinicians address bias in colleagues as a part of advocacy on behalf of kinky patients / clients.
- 2.16 Clinicians understand the historical context of kink including the historical pathologization and criminalization of kink by clinicians, researchers, and the legal system.
- 2.17 Clinicians apply current research to treatment interventions in their practice with kinky clients / patients.
- 3.10 Clinicians collaboratively develop, evaluate, and implement novel clinical interventions and techniques based upon the evolving kink scientific literature and theory.
AASECT Training Areas
Core Knowledge Areas and Training
- Ethics and ethical behavior
- Diversities in sexual expression and lifestyles, i.e. polyamory, swinging, BDSM, tantra
- Professional communication skills
Sex Therapy Training Area:
- Principles of consultation, collaboration, and referral.
- Ethical decision-making and best practice.
- Exposure to treatment of clinical sex therapy cases through direct observation, demonstration, case review, or role-playing.
Scholarships and Group Rates
Scholarship information:
Scholarship Opportunities
TASHRA offers scholarships for attendance to our classes for select applicants. Use the link below to apply for a scholarship to attend this continuing education opportunity. Applications must be submitted at least 1-week prior to the start of the training. We are only able to offer 3-6 scholarships per course. Scholarships will take the form of 50% of tuition being covered. Applicants will be evaluated per their level of need and purpose for pursuing continuing education.
Application link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSer0jnLFpFLHv8U0Ysfy6Z2dtlSpBTmWDe8c-IAPlwE2B-eUg/viewform
Group rate information:
Group Rates
TASHRA offers discounts on tickets purchased for different sized groups. These can be groups of professionals or community members. For groups of 4-9, members will receive a discount code for 10% off tickets. For groups of 10 or more, members will receive a discount code for 15% off tickets. Contact [email protected] to learn more.
Complaint / Grievance Procedures
TASHRA is committed to conducting all activities in compliance with the American Psychological Association’s (APA) Ethical Principles of Psychologists and the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT) Code of Conduct. TASHRA will adhere to all legal and ethical responsibilities to be nondiscriminatory in promotional activities, program content, and the treatment of program participants. Monitoring and assessment of these standards will be the responsibility of the TASHRA Clinical Training Team and Professional Development Services Manager (richard @tashra.org).
While TASHRA makes every attempt to assure fair treatment for all participants, occasionally complaints will arise about continuing education programs. This does not include complaints or comments received on course evaluations.
The person with a grievance will first try to informally resolve their grievance by contacting TASHRA with the issue concerning the training, its delivery, the evaluation method, technological issue, other student(s), and/or any other concern.
When a participant files a complaint, either orally or in written format, and expects action on the complaint, the following actions and procedures will be taken:
- If the grievance concerns a speaker, the content presented by the speaker, or the style of presentation, the individual making the complaint will be asked to put his/her comments in written format. The Professional Development Services Manager will then pass the comments on to the speaker, assuring the confidentiality of the complainant.
- If the complaint concerns a workshop offering, its content, level of presentation, or the facilities in which the workshop was offered, Professional Development Services Manager will mediate and attempt to resolve the complaint promptly. If the participant requests action, the Professional Development Services Manager is empowered to:
- Attempt to move the participant to another workshop, or
- Provide a credit for a subsequent year’s workshop, or
- Provide a partial or full refund of the workshop fee.
- Actions 2.2 and 2.3 will require a written note, documenting the grievance, for record keeping purposes. The note need not be signed by the grieved individual.
- If the complaint is made after the program has occurred or concerns the TASHRA CE programming more generally, the Professional Development Services Manager will address it as follows:
- Request that the complainant submit a written complaint and propose an appropriate remedy.
- Provide the instructor(s) with the opportunity to respond to the complaint and propose an appropriate remedy,
- Review these documents, make a final determination, and decide on any remedy
- TASHRA’s Clinical Training Committee will then consult regarding this grievance in an effort to find fair methods of resolving the grievance.
- If the aggrieved person is not satisfied with the solutions put forth, then they may put their grievance in writing and contact the American Association of Sexuality Educator, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT). The appropriate AASECT personnel can be reached at [email protected].
- TASHRA will abide by any decisions made by the APA or AASECT regarding resolution of the grievance.
For further information, contact the Research Director of TASHRA, Richard A. Sprott, at [email protected] or at 510-919-4488. You can also contact us at
TASHRA, P.O. Box 812, Rio Vista, CA 94571.
Cancellation Policy
Participants may cancel up to ten days before a scheduled workshop without penalty and receive a credit for another workshop or a refund minus $7 for processing costs. If a participant cancels less than ten days before, they will be responsible for payment. TASHRA reserves the right to cancel any event that does not meet our minimum registration of 16 participants within 4 business days of the class. If TASHRA cancels an educational event, participants will receive a credit toward another workshop.