#kpact

[lifeworkspsych]

Consensual Non-Monogamy Community Workshop With Dr. Eli Sheff

Join us for a community workshop with Dr. Elisabeth Sheff, sponsored by LifeWorks and Kink & Poly Chicago Therapists.

Considering consensual non-monogamy means coloring outside the lines: it is not always clear how to go from the desire to be open to the actual practice of CNM. In this workshop, "Consent, Negotiation and Boundaries in Consensual Non-Monogamy (CNM) Relationships," Dr. Eli Sheff explains consent, provides some tips for positive negotiation, explores boundaries, provides some exercises to help develop boundaries and explains some barriers to establishing and enforcing boundaries. Hosted by LifeWorks Psychotherapy Center, this community workshop takes place in Chicago on July 7th. Learn more details and RSVP at the link.

[sunnymegatron]

Tomorrow, Friday 10/15/21 I’m presenting the Psychological Appeal of B..D..S..M for #KPACT (K1nk & Poly Aware Chicago Therapists) If you’re a therapist/adjacent care professional w/k1nky clients you’re invited to this virtual professional seminar. It’s worth 2 CE credits + free for students Link in my Insta bio or here: https://www.kpact.xyz/product/the-psychological-appeal-of-bdsm/ NOTE: If you’re a “civilian” & are sad because this is a professional training & not for general audiences--GOOD NEWS! I’m offering a similar class designed for personal/partnered exploration soon. Keep an eye on my social media for an announcement or sign up for my newsletter on my site (also in bio) Course Description: Most of us are familiar w/ physical forms of k1nk. Activities like sp@nk1ng, b0ndage, and sensation play are common fare. But what about the psychological side? How do k1nksters mentally benefit from physical play? Why do unpleasantries like disgust, fear, and extreme degradat10n appeal to so many? How can emulating real-world oppressive power structures in the bedroom net a positive outcome? In what ways can play go too far & cause harm? Join Sunny Megatron (host of S3x w/Sunny Megatron on @showtime & @AmericanSexPodcast, Certified S3x/Kink Educator) as she breaks down the mental aspects of k1nk w/a focus on some of the most misunderstood & extreme play styles like humi1iation, ag3 play, cons3nsual non-c0nsent, power exchange, and edge play. From this session students will:  Acquire a deeper understanding of psychological benefits of seemingly unpleasant & extreme k1nks Identify ways internalized stigma/shame keeps k1nky clients from accessing their full pleasure/play potential Understand how this type of play can go wrong/cause harm & learn tools for avoiding negative outcomes Develop a deeper understanding of how structural power & oppression covertly seep into k1nk scenes & dynamics Recognize how the core motivation & intention behind this type of play can affect clients well being Access language & frameworks that enable clinicians to talk w/k1nky clients in a disarming/non-clinical manner #kinkeducator #kinkeducator #therapisttraining #sextherapist https://www.instagram.com/p/CVBTgYkvfUd/?utm_medium=tumblr

[sunnymegatron]

This clip is from the archives! It was filmed right after the last time I presented The Psychological Appeal of B..D..S..M for care professionals. Many of you asked me to let you know when it was happening again. THAT TIME IS NOW!  Well, almost now… Friday 10/15/2021 to be exact! This is a virtual session through KPACT - Kink & Poly Aware Chicago Therapists. This class is intended for therapists, educators, coaches, and other care professionals who work with k1nky/k1nk-curious clients & will be presented from a professional/clinical perspective. It’s also worth 2 CE Credits & free for students. A brief description of The Psychological Appeal of B..D..S..M: “Most of us are familiar with physical forms of kink. Activities like sp@nk1ng, b0ndage, and sensation play are common fare. But what about the psychological side? How do k1nksters mentally benefit from physical play? Why do unpleasantries like disgust, fear, and extreme degradat10n appeal to so many? How can emulating real-world oppressive power structures in the bedroom net a positive outcome? In what ways can play go too far and cause harm?” There’s a link to the event page with full details in my Instagram bio or you can get it here: https://www.kpact.xyz/product/the-psychological-appeal-of-bdsm/ NOTE: If you’re a “civilian” and are bummed out because this is a professional seminar and not intended for general audiences--GOOD NEWS! I’ll be offering a similar class designed for personal/partnered exploration in the near future. Keep an eye on my social media for that announcement or sign up for my newsletter on my website (also in bio).  #kpact #kinkawareprofessional #sexpositivetherapy #lmft #kinkpsychology #kinkyclients #kinkeducation #chicagotherapy #kinkclass #sexcoach #sexcoaching #sexcounselor #sexcounseling https://www.instagram.com/p/CUqa1bRjwM9/?utm_medium=tumblr

[lifeworkspsych]

Are you a #psychologist, #socialworker, #counselor and other licensed #psychotherapy practitioner wondering what your #polyamorous clients are experiencing? Join #KPACT for an experiential #workshop designed to gain insight, identify #bias and increase #empathy towards polyamorous and other consensually non-monogamous relationships and open areas for creative interventions. http://www.kpact.xyz/kpact-events/ (Photo Credit: Twins by Arthur Yip via Flickr CC ShareAlike 2.0)

[lifeworkspsych]

Why do some people abuse power while others don't? That question is at the core of POWER: A USER'S GUIDE, the latest book by coach, facilitator, educator, and author Julie Diamond, Ph.D.

As its title suggests, Power: A User's Guide is a how-to manual for anybody—parent, boss, teacher, politician, social activist—for whom wielding authority justly and effectively is a daily necessity and a daily challenge.

In this video, LifeWorks Psychotherapy Center clinician and managing partner Cindy Trawinski asks Julie why learning about power is so important, and about the distinction the book makes between "personal" and "positional" power. The conversation was recorded at LifeWorks' offices in Chicago, during Julie's visit in April, when she spoke before KPACT: a new group for Kink and Poly Aware Chicago Therapists, established by LifeWorks.

More information about Julie, the book, and KPACT can be found here. 

Stay in touch with us: www.lifeworkspsychotherapy.com

[lifeworkspsych]

There’s a long and sticky history to the old doctor-as-expert model. We need to use expertise to help others, but it’s hard not to fall prey to the trappings of the role of expert. Knowing how to be an expert and a partner in an alliance is not easy nor is it commonly taught. Thus, the helping profession is a field fraught with danger: the emotions and vulnerability of the client, coupled with the expertise of the practitioner, creates a power imbalance that can easily be abused. This is why the helping professions have such extensive and well-enforced ethical guidelines and oversight. But ethics isn’t enough. Ethics is vital, but doesn’t take into account the subtle changes of awareness and feelings that being in a power role creates.

According to our April KPACT guest speaker Julie Diamond, therapists need to be aware of their own power before they can empower their clients. 

[lifeworkspsych]

As an unabashed explorer and advocate of the varieties of human relationship and self-identified member of the Questioning community, I embarked on my path to the healing arts and helping profession with the prime purpose of garrisoning the clinical fields with more affirmative and informed providers. As I learn best through relationship and the group process, the chance to step into this role as active learner in the Greenhouse’s small cohort of amazing peers is the ideal for my professional development.

Brandon Haydon, one of the new Greenhouse members of our team. Read his interview here.