This advanced two-day workshop will equip mental health practitioners with the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively support clients engaged in consensual kink and non-monogamous relationships.

This training moves beyond basic understanding of non-monogamy and kink (safewords, identifying roles people might play, compersion) and instead explores deeper concepts such as negotiation, ethical considerations, jealousy, and how to navigate professional conflicts of interest in working with clients in these populations.

The workshop provides an inclusive and affirming space for counselors to understand the intersections of identity, race, and sexuality. Participants will engage in experiential activities, case studies, and skill-building exercises, leaving with a deeper understanding of how to integrate this knowledge into their clinical practice while maintaining boundaries and ethical standards.

By the end of this workshop, participants will have the ability to: 

• Understand power dynamics, contracts, and negotiation in kink and non-monogamous relationships.
• Identify ethical practices for supporting LGBTQ+ clients and diverse communities in kink and non-monogamy.
• Recognize and address issues such as domestic violence, codependency, and intersectional oppression within alternative relationship structures.
• Develop strategies for navigating discussions about sex and relationships with clients, including terminology and interview techniques.
• Integrate informed consent principles into their clinical work with individuals engaged in kink and non-monogamy.
• Enhance professional boundaries and address conflicts of interest in overlapping social and professional spaces. 

The experiential nature of this workshop will contribute to clinicians feeling more prepared to support clients involved in kink and non-monogamy.