Talking about Sex in Session: From BDSM to Inclusive Sexual Scripts

Event Description

Sexuality is often shaped by inherited scripts (messages from family, culture, media, and society) that limit how people understand intimacy, power, and pleasure. For many, these scripts create shame, silence, and/or stigma, especially around practices such as BDSM or identities that fall outside cultural norms. Clinicians are uniquely positioned to help people re-examine these narratives and create more empowering, inclusive, and authentic personal sexual scripts that promote sexual health and well-being.

This event will offer complementary perspectives on discussing sexuality in therapy. Dr. Morrison will share insights from his dissertation, Non-Pathologizing Theories of BDSM Etiology, which reframes BDSM as a diverse, non-pathological expression of intimacy and identity. Dr. Saigal will discuss practical ways therapists can open conversations about sex, sexuality, and intimacy, including strategies for working with individuals and their romantic partner(s) to re-write limiting sexual scripts.

Presenters

Seema Saigal, PhD, is a clinical psychologist whose work focuses on sexuality, intimacy,…