58th Annual PCA Conference

Name: Therapeutic Applications of BDSM: Exploring Healing Pathways for Survivors of Sexual Violence
Start: 2026-11-06T17:30:00-0500
End: 2026-11-06T18:00:00-0500

Therapeutic Applications of BDSM: Exploring Healing Pathways for Survivors of Sexual Violence

Friday November 6, 2026 5:30pm - 6:00pm EST

Sexual violence affects millions worldwide and leaves survivors grappling with profound psychological consequences, including posttraumatic stress, dissociation, and suicidal ideation. Traditional therapeutic frameworks often focus on cognitive and emotional recovery, yet few address the somatic and relational dimensions of sexual trauma. One underexplored avenue is consensual BDSM or kink- characterized by negotiated power exchange, consensual boundaries, and the transformation of pain into pleasure. Despite the affirmative consent features of consensual BDSM, the practice remains stigmatized and frequently pathologized, often assumed to originate from childhood abuse. Emerging research and survivor narratives, however, challenge this view, highlighting that BDSM can foster empowerment, agency, and embodied healing rather than re-traumatization.
Drawing on these insights, Dr. Rahman introduces Therapeutic BDSM- a structured, trauma‑informed intervention within the framework of Self‑Reconciliation Therapy (SRT). The approach integrates somatic regulation, ethical boundaries, consent, and a tetralogical model of expertise to support survivors in reclaiming power, reconnecting with their bodies, and reshaping relational patterns that once caused harm. By reframing BDSM as a site of intentional healing rather than pathology, this workshop will explore its potential as a creative, collaborative, and deeply embodied pathway to recovery.

Speakers

Ishita Agarwal, BA

Ishita Agarwal is a first-year master’s student in the Applied Clinical Psychology program at Penn State Harrisburg. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Sociology from the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada. Her research focuses on substance... Read More →

Friday November 6, 2026 5:30pm - 6:00pm EST

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58th Annual PCA Conference

Ishita Agarwal, BA

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58th Annual PCA Conference

Ishita Agarwal, BA

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