Will my therapist judge me for my BDSM Desires? with Kristen Crowe LPCC, BC-DMT (they/she)

This week host Renae Johnson (they/them) and Open Space Therapy Collective therapist Kristen Crowe (they/she) explore how to understand your kink/BDSM desires and explore them in therapy.    In this episode we discuss: I am in a BDSM relationship and I tried to talk about it once with my therapist, but they said it reflected a deeper self esteem problem. Is there something wrong with me? I have been interested in exploring BDSM but don’t know how to bring it up to my therapist. We haven’t talked about sexuality except “I’m dating so-and-so” and I don’t know if it’s appropriate to talk about actual sex.  Will my therapist understand that I have a “play partner” outside my primary relationships, and we go to “play parties” and I don’t want to stop?  Someone I’m dating is interested in exploring BDSM with me and I’m feeling a little nervous. If I’m nervous, what kind of support can I ask from my therapist?  One thing I like about BDSM is that it feels dangerous, but I don’t want my therapist to think I’m practicing “risky behaviors” or tell me to stop. How do I ask for a safe space in general with my therapist?   Join us as we dive into the tantalizing curiosities of these sexual experiences and find ways to explore with safe partners and find an sex-positive therapist.   Therapist Bio:  Kristen Crowe (she/they) is Licensed Therapist, Dance Therapist, and Clinical Supervisor with Open Space Therapy Collective. Kristen specializes in working somatically with adults, couples, and people in ENM relationships to help heal the mind-body connection so you can feel more grounded and vibrant every day.   Host Bio:  Renae Johnson (they/them) founded Open Space Therapy Collective (OSTC), a group practice and community hub that focuses on mental health for and by the LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC communities and their allies.     Renae is an art therapist who specializes in working with queer artists who are exploring their gender identity and recovering from complex trauma. Previous to founding OSTC, Renae spent a decade in community mental health services, providing therapy and as an Operations Director in organizations serving people experiencing complex co-occurring diagnoses. Prior to their career as a therapist, Renae was a working artist who worked in figurative painting and sculpture.    Renae is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, Board Certified Art Therapist, and a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional.     To find more from us visit: https://www.openspacetherapycollective.com https://www.instagram.com/openspacetherapycollective https://www.tiktok.com/@openspacetherapy Content warning: This is episode discusses sexual desires and actions   Discussed in this episode: Gayish Podcast, Pleasure Palace, Reddit, AASECT