Many BDSM practitioners will come to counseling for common, unrelated issues, such as depression, anxiety, everyday relational issues with an intimate partner, family of origin issues, etc. This is where the kink-knowledgeable counseling comes into play. That said, there are also many BDSM issues that kink-aware counselors may come across, and this is where kink-focused therapy comes in. Read more for a basic understanding of how to work with these clients.

many counselors like sex therapists and relational counselors are not adequately prepared to work with kinky clients. They also may be actively pathologizing kink. Even if a counselor or therapist is open to working with BDSM clients, the willingness to work with this population is not sufficient to ensure we are doing so in a safe and ethical way. Relational counselors must take our practice one step further and become kink-aware.