Stellar Pro is proud to have professionals who have obtained their kink informed certification. A kink informed certification showcases a clinicians advanced training in kink, BDSM – Bondage & Discipline, and alternative sexuality. Read more below about kink informed certification and kink.
What is Kink Informed Certification?
The Sexual Health Alliance has created the Kink Informed Certification. This was the first certification of its kind. This program is recognized by the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT). Led by Midori, known as the “Supernova of Kink”, this certification aims to take kink-aware therapists, kink positive therapists, educators, coaches, and consultants that work with individuals engaging in kink, BDSM, and alternative sexuality to the next level. Moving practitioners from kink-aware or kink positive to kink knowledgeable and kink certified.
Stellar Pro has professionals experienced in kink, BDSM, and alternative sexuality. A professional who has professional verification of their kink informed certification will have a badge on their profile:
What does the Kink Informed Certification program cover?
A general overview of the programs curriculum includes:
– Basics of Kink (including Competent Care from a Therapeutic Perspective)
– Kink Organizations and Resources
– Consent and Negotiation in Kink
– Relationship Diversity in Kink Population
– Psychobiology of Kink
– Minority Stress, Kink Identity Development, and Health Disparities
– How Not to Perpetuate the Stigma of Kink
– Kink and Mental Health Issues
– Assisting Clients in Coming Out
– Politics of Sex and Gender in Kink
– International and Cultural Diversity in Kink
A professional with kink informed certification will have received all the extra training listed above. This means they’ll be able to help you uncover your desires, needs, and answer questions you may have about kink even better than before.
What is kink?
Kink is a term defined by the CDC as “a form of sex play that involves power, sensation, and/or fetish”. BDSM is also a term you may have heard described as a kink. Whether you call it BDSM, leather, or fetish all these things are under the umbrella term – kink.
Kink is unique in that it does not have to involve sex or penetration, or sometimes even touch at all. But if all parties agree to those things, it can. The kink and BDSM communities hold consent and communication as one of their highest values. Discussing boundaries and safewords should be a part of every kink experience.
Kink is very common and practiced by a diverse group of individuals. Regardless of age, religion, socioeconomic status, gender and sexual identity, cultural background, and living conditions. Many people who practice kink don’t refer to what they do as kink. For them it’s their sex life. You know a lot more kinky people than you think!
There is no connection to suggest that those who engage in kink are more mentally troubled than their non-kink practicing peers.
Kink only becomes a source of concern when it starts to substantially interfere with a person’s emotional well-being and day-to-day livelihood. Kink should not cause serious physical injuries or emotional trauma. Kink should be willing, add pleasure and add joy to your life. It should not be a detriment.
What is Kink Therapy?
Talking to your general therapist about kink might be difficult. But kink therapy works the exact same way! You and your therapist will talk through the issues and answer questions you are having around kink. They may also provide worksheets or additional readings. Stellar Pro highlights clinicians who have received extra training in kink but you have also heard us mention kink-aware and kink positive therapists.
Kink positive therapists understand that kink can be normal, but they may not have as in-depth of training as a kink-aware or kink informed certified therapist.
Kink-aware therapists have some knowledge around kink, BDSM, and alternative sexuality. They understand that kink is a healthy part of exploring one’s sexuality. A kink-aware therapist has experience around diverse lifestyles.
Kink informed certified therapists have received extensive training in kink, BDSM, and alternative sexuality. They understand that kink can be very fulfilling for many people and is a healthy part of exploring your sexuality.
Sometimes, kink isn’t the focus of your therapy and you just need a therapist who won’t try to change you. This is where a kink-aware or kink positive therapist might be the best option for you. But if you’re looking to dive deeper into kink, seeking out a Stellar Pro kink informed certified therapist might be the best match for you. No matter which option you pick, all kink therapists should continue to educate themselves on kink, BDSM, and alternative sexuality while being aware of their own potential bias.
Remember, kink is a healthy part of exploring one’s sexuality. But without the proper training your normal therapist may not be able to help you understand your needs, desires, and yourself. Kink therapy is for anybody, no matter how far into the kink journey you are. If you’re thinking about getting into kink or if you’re already a kink veteran, kink therapy from a kink informed certified therapist can help. Because when you’re ready to understand your needs, desires, and yourself, you need a trained professional to help you.
Why do I need Kink Therapy?
Kink therapy is for all! Whether you’re starting out your kink journey or are a veteran, kink therapy can help. Kink therapy is different from non-kink therapy in that it focuses on kink, BDSM, and alternative sexuality. Partners or individuals wanting to engage in kink can benefit from having a professional, neutral third-party listen to their concerns before starting kink. You may uncover things you didn’t even know about yourself and/or your partner(s)! Or you may learn something new about kink.
For those just starting out in kink, a kink informed certified therapist can help answer questions you have about kink. Maybe you’re not sure why you get turned on by a certain kink. Maybe you’re not even sure where to begin. No matter the stage in your kink journey, kink therapy is here to help.
To get the best results out of your kink therapy you need a therapist who is knowledgeable about kink. Non-kink-aware, non-kink positive, or non-kink informed certified therapists may not be able to help you navigate kink.
What can Kink therapy help me with?
– Navigating boundaries
– Improve communication
– Navigate a complex scene or relationship
– Work towards healing trauma from past experiences
– How to negotiate contracts in kinky relationships
– Deciding to open up a kink relationship, or not to open up a kink relationship
– Understand your choices and options in kink relationships
– How to navigate the stigma surrounding kink from family or cultural beliefs
Kink therapy can be helpful when there is a mismatch in kinkyness. When one partner is kinky and one is not. Kink therapy can help your partner understand your experience with kink, question if their anti-kink beliefs are applicable to consensual kink, and to normalize kink by giving reassurance that kinky relationships can be healthy.
A kink informed certified therapist can also help you navigate ways to meet your desire for kink with a non-kink partner. Your partner may discover they are more open to kink than they expected. It’s important to openly and honestly express feelings during a kink therapy session.
Remember, these are professionals trained in kink. A kink therapist should:
– Be able to distinguish healthy BDSM relationships from non-consensual abuse
– Understand that kink is only a small part of a person’s life
– Understand the stress caused by having to be secretive about your kink, BDSM, or alternative sexuality
– Understand safe vs unsafe play – with the knowledge that every kinky relationship is different
– Be familiar with the different roles and role expectations in kinky relationships
If you’re interested in or practicing kink and you want to improve your kinky relationship, kink therapy is for you.
Do I need Kink Therapy?
Kink therapy is for anybody! Whether you are starting out in the kink scene or already a kink veteran, kink therapy is here for you.
A kink informed certified therapist has additional training in kink, BDSM, and alternative sexuality. They will be able to help you through your kink journey, no matter what stage you’re in. The section below covers some common reasons why people go to kink therapy. Do you relate to any of them? If so, kink therapy might be right for you!
What are common reasons to go to Kink Therapy?
Whether you’re new to kink or a veteran, kink therapy can be helpful. Some common reasons to go to kink therapy are:
– Navigating boundaries
– Communication issues
– Mismatch in kinkiness
– Navigating a complex scene or relationship
– Trauma from past experiences
– Consent violations
– Deciding to open up a kink relationship, or not to open up a kink relationship
– Understanding your choices and options in kink relationships
– Negotiating contracts in kinky relationships
– Stigma from family or cultural beliefs
Each person or persons has their own reason for going to kink therapy. If you relate to any of these above or are thinking about kink, it might be time to talk to a kink informed certified therapist.
What can I expect from Kink Therapy?
Like non-kink therapy, kink therapy can be either online or in-person. Kink therapy is like any other therapy session except the focus is kink.
You and your kink informed certified therapist will work together to understand the issues you are facing. These can range from “How do I get started in kink?” to “How do I tell my partners I want to stop kink?” to everything between.
Your therapist may give you worksheets or specific task goals – such as journaling. They may also recommend books such as When Someone You Love is Kinky by Dossie Easton and Catherine A. Liszt.
What will not happen are any demonstrations of kink. Kink therapy does not involve nudity or sexual acts.
As with any therapy, kink therapy may take a few sessions before you see a great improvement. Each client is different. Some clients only need 1-2 sessions while others need a more long term schedule. No matter how long kink therapy takes, remember that every session is helping you work towards understanding your desires and needs.
Why should I see a professional with Kink Informed Certification?
There are kink-aware therapists, kink positive therapists, educators, coaches, and consultants who work with individuals engaging in kink, BDSM, and alternative sexuality. Even with the best intentions, many professionals lack access to the additional training needed to allow their practice to move from kink-aware or kink positive to kink knowledgeable and kink certified..
A kink informed certified therapist has had extra training in kink, BDSM, and alternative sexuality. By seeing a kink informed certified therapist you will know that your clinician has the most up-to-date training about kink, BDSM, and alternative sexuality.
All professionals should practice creating an environment that is open and non judgemental. Some patients find they can be even more open in that type of environment when they know their therapist has advanced training in kink and has likely heard their problem before. Remember, therapists are not here to judge you. They are here to help you.
Why does my professional need Kink Informed Certification?
Kink-aware therapists, kink positive therapists, educators, coaches, and consultants who work with individuals engaging in kink, BDSM, and alternative sexuality can benefit from obtaining their kink informed certification. By being a kink informed certified therapist, you know your therapist has received extra training to allow their practice to move from kink-aware or kink positive to kink knowledgeable and kink certified..
By having this extra training, your kink informed certified professional will be better able to provide for your sexual needs that involve kink, BDSM, and alternative sexuality.
Why should I choose Stellar Pro to find a therapist with Kink Informed Certification?
Stellar Pro is the only mental health directory that verifies and highlights clinicians’ advanced training and expertise. We make it easy to find a professional that specializes in kink, BDSM, and alternative sexuality with kink informed certification. When you find a professional on Stellar Pro you know that you are matching with somebody who is trained to help you navigate kink, BDSM, and alternative sexuality.
