Trauma Informed Kink: An Introduction

BDSM play flirts with danger; traumatic arousal is an inherent risk. The body’s natural response to danger is to become aroused and prepared to fight back, flee, or freeze. When people feel safe, the dangerous element of kinky play is highly erotic and exciting. But when people have a history of trauma, or when they have not negotiated in a trauma-informed way, play can go bad.  

This class will provide attendees with a foundational understanding of how trauma works in the brain, body, and teach first aid for traumatic responses during play. It will introduce ways of recognizing traumatic arousal in partners during play, and teach skills that can help ground and diffuse traumatic arousal when it does occur in scene. Ways to negotiate all kinds of play in a sexy but trauma-informed way will be explored. 
 

All sexes, genders, ethnicities, sexual orientations, relationship orientations welcome and celebrated
No late entry will be allowed due to the intimate nature of this workshop. Doors will be locked at 10 minutes after the start time.
Water available. Please bring your own cup or bottle.
Open to all 18+
Attendance is limited to 30 people.
Questions may be directed to: education@pan-eros.org

About the Educators:
Dahlia Bloom is a licensed psychotherapist in private practice. She is passionate about the freedom and safety self-knowledge can bring to people’s lives. She has a Master’s Degree in Body Psychotherapy and has been working in the psychotherapy field since 2005. She is trained in Behavioral, Somatic, Trauma-Informed, Psychodynamic, and Mindfulness based approaches. She is currently training as a Holistic Sex Therapist, and has taught classes on psychologically minded kink at the Close-In Munch, Positively Kinky, Portland TNG, and Leather Reign. She is deeply committed to self-expression and creativity, and has been studying, practicing, and teaching embodied mindfulness for 20 years. A long time anti-oppression activist, Dahlia brings her enthusiasm for understanding power and seeking liberation to her therapy practice and her kink.

Verris has been exploring the eroticism of TPE / authority transfer relationships for over a decade. He is a Nationally Certified Counselor and has trained as a Holistic Sex Therapist. Verris specializes in working with clients who identify as kinky and, or poly. As an educator he is passionate about challenging the prevailing cultural narrative of what constitutes sex, and sexuality. Verris has been a guest speaker for Colorado State University, Leather Reign, Existential-Humanistic Northwest, multiple podcasts and community events.

This event is sponsored by the Pan Eros Foundation. Please go to Pan-Eros.org for more information.