Unveiling Desires and Distinguishing Distress: Understanding the Nuances Between Kink and Self-Harm
Many kinky individuals see the bruises, scratches and marks received during kink activities as emblems of pride, strength, commitment, and pleasure. However, differentiating these physical marks from actual self-harming behaviors may be challenging when a healthcare provider is trying to balance a sex positive & kink-affirming perspective with appropriate and nuanced diagnostic assessment. This exciting course begins by briefly reviewing relevant literature on self-harming behaviors, or what is often referred to as non-suicidal self injury (NSSI), and the impact of its diagnostic recategorization under anxiety disorders. Building upon this overview, we will contrast non-suicidal self-harm with consensual adult kink. We will explore what is known about the intersections of NSSI and kink with some clients; the attraction to and potential risks for some kinky clients who struggle with controlling NSSI, and explore guidelines to assist clinicians in distinguish between kink injuries, non-suicidal self injury, and suicidal indicators. We will discuss traditional clinical treatment methods used to treat NSSI, as well as newer approaches which are brain and body-based. This course will include a dynamic mix of lecture, breakout rooms for discussion of advanced case studies, and in course discussion.
Learning Objectives:
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Participants will be able to list 2 features of NSSI from the empirical literature that are similar to kink activities and behavior.
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Participants will be able to differentiate and describe at least 3 ways that kink differs from NSSI.
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Participants will be able to identify 2 clinical resources for addressing ethical dilemmas arising from the intersection of consensual kink and NSSI.
Presenters
Presenter name / pronouns
Anna Randall (she / her)
Richard Sprott (he / him)
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 the health and wellbeing of those with diverse sexuality. As part of her leadership role at TASHRA, she coordinates TASHRA’s teams in the creation of continuing education courses for healthcare professionals, and mentors healthcare providers in kink proficient care; 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 – 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 complete event of 3 hours is eligible for 3 APA CE units. TASHRA is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. TASHRA maintains responsibility for this program and its content. Many states honor APA CE credits for other licensed health professionals, please check with your own state licensing board.
This program meets the requirements of the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT) and is approved for 3 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].
For further information on CE credit, please contact Richard Sprott at [email protected] directly.
Scholar Information and Group Rates
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] or [email protected] to learn more.
Cancellations and Complaints
Complaint / Grievance Procedure
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 Clinical Training Team co-lead ([email protected]).
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 Clinical Training Team co-lead 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, Clinical Training Team co-lead will mediate and attempt to resolve the complaint promptly. If the participant requests action, the Clinical Training Team co-lead 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 Clinical Training Team co-lead 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.