Making Kink COVID-19 Friendly
Our Clinical Director and Founder of Respark, Heather McPherson LMFT-S, LPC-S, CST was recently invited by Certified Sex Therapist and Psychologist, Dr. David Ley to contribute to an article that helps people learn how to engage in BDSM or kink during the Covid -19 Pandemic.
Finding safe communities and kink knowledgeable therapists
Kinksters often face great difficulty in finding safe communities to explore their desires. Meeting potential partners or like-minded people can be difficult without a pandemic, so adding in this additional barrier can be detrimental to some. BDSM practitioners have also, historically had major issues in finding a kink aware therapist or kink knowledge therapist, so we’d like to remind readers that Respark Therapists fit the bill. Our therapists have had advanced training in kink and alternative sexualities from the world’s top experts. These include lectures and trainings through the Sexual Health Alliance with Midori, Lee Harrington, Dr. Richard Spout, Dr. Anna Randell, Dr. Russell Stambough and soon Jetsetting Jasmine! Our Director has also led workshops at Thunder in the Mountains for sex therapists in training.
Adding more safety protocols
Kinksters usually already good communication about boundaries and play so adding a couple more protocols might be doable. Keeping transmission risks to a minimum is key. During the COVID-19 pandemic, these skills offer foundations to assist the BDSM community to remain connected and active while still keeping safe.
A sample of few tips and tricks
- If at all possible, use video conferencing to have kinky encounters. Much of play was taken online in the beginning on the COVID-19 pandemic as demonstrated in this survey.
- Limit the amount of people if you do decide to have a play party
- And if you do… make sure those limited people allowed have been social distancing heavily and following all guidelines
- Consider limiting the length of the party to 2-3 hours maximum
- Only come into contact when absolutely necessary, and if you’re in a group, stay 6-8ft away from other party goers
- Use protective measures during sex like gloves, condoms, dental damns, and masks
- Consider using masks as part of the scene in play
- Incorporate COVID-19 education to all your playmates in consciousness and planning. Encourage them to get tested for COVID by basically treating it like getting tested for STDs
- Only people that come together *ideally from same household* can play together. 8’ x 8’ (?) square spacing from other scenes
To read the full article, please click here! https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/women-who-stray/202006/making-kink-covid-19-safe
Contact us to schedule an appointment with a Kink Friendly Therapist: 512-537-0922.
Next Steps & Resources:
Ready to take the next step?
Contact us to schedule an appointment 512-537-0922. Or, book a session online through – Schedule an appointment now.
What online counseling options do I have?
For the past decade we have excelled at online therapy, tele-therapy and phone counseling. We have seen couples online and conducted Sex Therapy online through video platforms. Everything can be completed online including your intake, first session all the way through graduation! You can even find a Respark Therapist or Coach and book your first session online without having to pick up the phone. Many of our clients love online therapy as there are so many pros! Learn more about our online couples therapy, online individual therapy and online Sex Therapy process here.
What is Respark all about?
We have therapists throughout all of Texas and Colorado. We offer the best couples therapy and sex therapy because our team had 200+ hours of training post graduate. Many of them are already certified or about to become certified sex therapists. We have therapists trained in trauma, EMDR, eating disorders and Health at Every Size informed.
I want to become a sex therapist or sexual health professional, how do I do that?
Check out our podcast with Respark Founder, Heather McPherson at Practice Outside the Lines.
I want to become a certified sex therapist or certified sex coach or educator?
We also started one of the largest sexual health training organizations in the country. Check out Sexual Health Alliance for sexuality certification programs.
I need additional support around growing my sexual health focused practice as a sex therapist, sex coach or sexuality professional. Where can I find more information?
We started Practice Outside the Lines to support new and seasoned sexuality professionals learn how to start and grow a sexual health focused business.