Pleasure & Pain: Understanding and Treating Kinky Clients

While many have heard of the popular and terribly informed kink relationship between the characters, Mr. Christian Grey and Anastasia Steele, in the book series, Fifty Shades of Grey, the world of kink and alternative play drastically differs in every aspect to the real kink world. To be kinky and engage in kink is subjectively unique. Those involved in kink play can vary from using a flogger, blindfold, or rope to the acts of humiliation, dominance, and utter submission (Schubert & Pope, 2022). Because of the subjective nature of the kink world, those who practice kink require multiple levels of communication, consideration, and collaboration. Sometimes with such misinformation as seen in the book series mentioned above, individuals and couples exploring kink might find themselves misguided, frustrated, and in conflict with self and with their partner(s) (Cannon & Holmberg-Sasek, 2020). With radical respect and intentional curiosity, the counseling room is a perfect place to explore each of these elements. When working with kinky clients, mental health professionals must take into consideration how to best approach the individual needs as well as the relationship dynamic of each party involved. Since most mental health professionals have not received adequate training to address communication needs and conflicts related to divergent sexual expressions and desires, they may not feel confident or adequate in supporting their kink interested or practicing clients (Cannon & Holmberg-Sasek, 2019).

To bridge the gap of training needed and build confidence among mental health professionals, this presentation aims to address a specific approach to helping couples navigate through sexual and interpersonal conflicts effectively. For this presentation, Dr. Cannon will present the Understanding, Compassion, and Collaboration (UCC Model™) approach to enhance counselors’ abilities to work with kink clients. The UCC Model™ includes a 4-step treatment approach for treating kinky couples, as well as other common concerns in sex therapy, such as: cross dressing, fetishes, and other sexually divergent expressions and interests.

During this session, participants will learn about and apply the four parts of the UCC Model™ including: 1) establishing a safe social engagement system, 2) creating Understanding, 3) building Compassion, 4) and identifying solutions through Collaboration. Learning will occur through lecture, reflective processing, and role playing specific scenarios wherein the UCC may be incorporated.

After attending this introductory-level program, participants will be able to:

• Explain the four parts of the UCC model
• Apply the UCC model when treating kinky couples

This program meets APA’s continuing education STANDARD 1.1: Program content focuses on application of psychological assessment and/or intervention methods that have overall consistent and credible empirical support in the contemporary peer reviewed scientific literature beyond those publications and other types of communications devoted primarily to the promotion of the approach.

This program meets APA’s continuing education GOAL 3: Program will allow psychologists to maintain, develop, and increase competencies in order to improve services to the public and enhance contributions to the profession.

ACSSW Members: $10.00

General Admission: $50.00

The Chicago School Staff/Faculty/Students/Alumni: $25.00

Community Partners/Site Supervisors: $25.00

Non-The Chicago School Students: $25.00

(Please email [email protected] for coupon code)

Refund Policy: 100% of tuition is refundable up to 48 hours before the program. Within 48 hours of the program, and at any point in Homestudy format, tuition is nonrefundable.

Neil Cannon, Ph.D., LMFT-S, CST-S

Nelly is an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist & Supervisor, as well as an AAMFT Approved Supervisor, and a WPATH Certified Gender Therapist. Dr. Cannon is the Clinical Director of the Cannon Institute.

Cannon, N. P. & Holmberg-Sasek, A. (2020). Relationship counseling and sex therapy with kinky clients. In T. Nelson. (Ed.), (2021). Integrative sex & couples therapy: A therapist’s guide to new and innovative approaches. (pp.99-122). Taylor & Francis.

Cannon, N. P., Holmberg-Sasek, A. (2019). Systemic sex therapy supervision. In J. Wadley & R. Siegel (Eds.), The art of sex therapy supervision. (pp. 151 – 174). Taylor & Francis.

Schubert, A. M. & Pope, M. (2022). Handbook for human sexuality counseling: A sex positive approach. American Counseling Association Publications.

Target Audience: Mental Health Professionals , counsellors, sex therapists.

Psychologists. This program, when attended in its entirety, is available for 2.0 continuing education credits. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology maintains responsibility for this program and its content. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is committed to accessibility and non-discrimination in its continuing education activities. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is also committed to conducting all activities in conformity with the American Psychological Association’s Ethical Principles for Psychologists. Participants are asked to be aware of the need for privacy and confidentiality throughout the program. If program content becomes stressful, participants are encouraged to process these feelings during discussion periods. 

Counselors/Clinical Counselors. This program, when attended in its entirety, is available for 2.0 hours of continuing education. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is licensed by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) to provide continuing education programming for counselors and clinical counselors. License Number: 197.000159

Social Workers. This program, when attended in its entirety, is available for 2.0 hours of continuing education. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is licensed by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) to provide continuing education programming for social workers. License Number: 159.001036

MFTs, LPCCs, and LCSWs. Course meets the qualifications for 2.0 hours of continuing education credit for MFTs, LPCCs, and/or LCSWs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. If you are licensed outside of California please check with your local licensing agency to to determine if they will accept these CEUs. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is approved by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) to offer continuing education programming for MFTs, LPCCs, LEPs, and/or LCSWs. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is an accredited or approved postsecondary institution that meets the requirements set forth in Sections 4980.54(f)(1), 4989.34, 4996.22(d)(1), or 4999.76(d) of the Code.

Non-Psychologists. Most licensing boards accept Continuing Education Credits sponsored by the American Psychological Association but non-psychologists are recommended to consult with their specific state-licensing board to ensure that APA-sponsored CE is acceptable.

*Participants must attend 100% of the program in order to obtain a Certificate of Attendance.

If participants have special needs, we will attempt to accommodate them. Please address questions, concerns and any complaints to [email protected]. There is no commercial support for this program nor are there any relationships between the CE Sponsor, presenting organization, presenter, program content, research, grants, or other funding that could reasonably be construed as conflicts of interest.