Healthy Hurting: BDSM with a History of Self-Harm
Many people find release in pain and can effectively use it as a coping mechanism to manage anxiety, stress, chronic pain, and other challenges. But it’s easy to second-guess yourself—is this okay? Is this just another form of self-harm? If your partner is the one who uses consensual pain this way, you might be wondering whether it’s responsible to encourage it. Join sex therapist and kink educator AJ Cheyfitz for a 90-minute virtual workshop that takes a thoughtful and compassionate approach to a sensitive topic. It will focus on discussing the differences between masochism and detrimental self-injurious behavior, including the physical, emotional, and psychological effects of each. We’ll talk about interacting and providing support (whether it be intimate relationships, kinky play, or in a mental health setting) with people who need pain in their lives. The topics we’ll cover include: - The differences between self-harm and masochism, including the positive and negative impacts each can have - Tools to use (either by yourself or with a partner) to evaluate if you’re in a headspace where pain feels healthy and positive - How to discuss this topic with partners, therapists, and others AJ Cheyfitz (she/her) is a sex therapist with The Pincus Center for Inclusive Treatment and Education. She holds a Masters in Social Work from Simmons University and practices in Virginia, Maryland, New York, and Washington, D.C. She is also a longtime kink and sexuality educator who specializes in working with people whose identities are often stigmatized, helping them to find self-acceptance and affirmation. Class recording from 10/27/22. Please reach out to contact@tamarapincus.com if you need sliding scale.
The Pincus Center
Healthy Hurting: BDSM with a History of Self-Harm
Many people find release in pain and can effectively use it as a coping mechanism to manage anxiety, stress, chronic pain, and other challenges. But it’s easy to second-guess yourself—is this okay? Is this just another form of self-harm? If your partner is the one who uses consensual pain this way, you might be wondering whether it’s responsible to encourage it. Join sex therapist and kink educator AJ Cheyfitz for a 90-minute virtual workshop that takes a thoughtful and compassionate approach to a sensitive topic. It will focus on discussing the differences between masochism and detrimental self-injurious behavior, including the physical, emotional, and psychological effects of each. We’ll talk about interacting and providing support (whether it be intimate relationships, kinky play, or in a mental health setting) with people who need pain in their lives. The topics we’ll cover include: - The differences between self-harm and masochism, including the positive and negative impacts each can have - Tools to use (either by yourself or with a partner) to evaluate if you’re in a headspace where pain feels healthy and positive - How to discuss this topic with partners, therapists, and others AJ Cheyfitz (she/her) is a sex therapist with The Pincus Center for Inclusive Treatment and Education. She holds a Masters in Social Work from Simmons University and practices in Virginia, Maryland, New York, and Washington, D.C. She is also a longtime kink and sexuality educator who specializes in working with people whose identities are often stigmatized, helping them to find self-acceptance and affirmation. Class recording from 10/27/22. Please reach out to contact@tamarapincus.com if you need sliding scale.