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Getting Your Kinks In: Neurodiversity and BDSM

KPACT is excited to host psychotherapist Stephen Ratcliff and dominatrix Eve Minax on April 14, 2023 for “Getting Your Kinks In: Neurodiversity and BDSM.” We asked Eve and Stephen to tell us a bit about their interest and experience with the topic. Want to learn more from these knowledgeable practitioners? Join us on Zoom on 4/14 from 6-8 CST. Register here!

Answers have been lightly edited for clarity.

KPACT: How did you first become interested in kink and neurodiversity?

Steve: As I have looked around kink spaces over the years, I have found a lot of folks who are neurodiverse like myself. Because of this, and the lack of research on the intersections of kink and neurodiversity, I plan to start doctoral research on this topic in mid 2023. I am fascinated by the large degree of overlap between these communities and am interested in studying how neurodiversity can yield different experiences of kink, and how kink in turn can yield resources for neurodiverse folks.

Eve: Like Stephen, I have found MANY friends, play partners, colleagues, and clients who are neurodiverse, like myself. I have been quite successful at creating scenarios using a variety of different techniques and practices that only within the past few years I realized were utilized for autistic folks. I also live with CPTSD and have found many of these practices to be useful for symptoms associated with CPTSD and sexual abuse re-empowerment.

KPACT: What is one thing you would like mental health professionals to know about kink and neurodiversity?

Steve: Neither are pathologies or problems. Both neurodiversity and kink may be resources and may come with challenges. Both neurodiversity and kink are as broad as the spectrum of diverse folks out there, and can intersect in fascinating ways.

Eve: Kink and/or BDSM practices can bring about a fair amount of psychological and physical safety when done ethically. These practices can then allow neurodiverse folks to feel more freedom around their personal practices, instead of being so odd or “different” from neurotypical folks. Everyone needs a place to fly, to grow, to shine, and as sexual beings we can really find self-empowerment and actualization in being “ourselves” as opposed to what society thinks we should be.

About the Presenters

Stephen Ratcliff, MA, LPCC, LPC, NCC, CST has worked for over 17 years in the social services field, he received his master’s degree in Clinical Psychology in 2009 at Wheaton College in Illinois. While at Wheaton, the primary focus of his graduate studies was treating children, relationships, and addiction. Steve also completed a graduate certificate program in Human Sexuality at Southwestern College in 2020. He is currently studying Clinical Psychology in the Doctor of Psychology degree program at California Southern University with focus on gender, sexual, and relationship diversity (GSRD) populations and consensual nonmonogamy.

Eve Minax has studied in the U.S., France and Australia and holds an MA in French and English Literatures with a concentration in Feminist Studies. She has also studied at the Cleo Dubois Academy of SM Arts Professional Course where she honed her extensive BDSM skills and now acts as Lead Staff Instructor. She is also a Bondassage and SFSI certified (San Francisco Sex Information Sex Ed Certification). She has completed over 300 hrs of alternative sexuality workshops at various conferences in addition to teaching various classes.

About Cindy Trawinski, Psy.D.

Cindy Trawinski, PsyD, is a licensed clinical psychologist, a Diplomate in Process-oriented Psychology (also known as Process Work) and a certified Imago Relationship Therapist. She is a founding partner of LifeWorks Psychotherapy Center and North Shore Psychotherapy Associates and has offices in Skokie, IL. Cindy is the former CEO of the Process Work Institute, in Portland, OR and a member of the International Association of Process-oriented Psychology (IAPOP), in Zurich, Switzerland. Cindy is a frequent speaker on topics including: Diversity and Multicultural Issues; Sex Positivity; Rank & Power; Therapist Bias; and Polyamory.

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