Therapeutic BDSM Collaborative Network-Clinician Application
Thank you for taking time to complete this application! Before you begin, please be aware that this application might take some time to complete. We recommend factoring that in when planning to fill it out. It’s best to complete the application in one sitting, as the form won’t save your progress.
If you prefer to work on it in stages, we suggest printing out or copying the questions into a separate document. That way, you can work on your responses at your own pace, then simply paste them into the form when you're ready to submit.
If you attempt to hit Apply and nothing happens that means that a required question wasn't answered. Please go back and check your responses to make sure you have answered them all. If you still have any issues with this application please reach out to us at [email protected].
Professional Background
Years of clinical experience:
Current place of employment/practice:
Describe your approach to trauma-informed care.
Do you have experience integrating non-traditional methods (e.g., somatic therapy, experiential therapy) in trauma work? If so, please explain.
Please describe your educational background (degrees, certifications, specialized training, etc.):
Schools attended:
Certifications earned:
Relevant workshops/trainings:
Do you have experience working with clients in the BDSM/kink community?
If yes, please describe the nature of this experience (years of experience, types of issues addressed, etc.).
Understanding of Therapeutic BDSM:
What is your understanding of therapeutic BDSM, and how do you see it complementing traditional clinical approaches?
What is your approach to working with clients who engage in or are interested in kink and BDSM?
How do you integrate a sex-positive, non-judgmental stance when working with clients?
Have you attended any workshops, conferences, or training sessions related to kink/BDSM?
If yes, please provide details (e.g., workshop
Therapeutic BDSM Collaborative Network Interest
Why are you interested in becoming a part of the Therapeutic BDSM Collaborative Network?
What specifically drew you to the Therapeutic BDSM Collaborative Network?
How do you envision your role as a clinician in this collaborative model where BDSM Pro Practitioners and Educators work alongside clinicians to facilitate healing?
What unique skills, experience, or perspective do you bring to the Network?
Are you comfortable being present in BDSM scenes between clients and practitioners to monitor, offer support, and assist in aftercare?
How would you handle potential ethical challenges that might arise when working with clients who engage in BDSM practices?
Provide examples of how you ensure client safety, consent, and boundaries within a clinical setting.
Practice and Philosophy
Describe your philosophy on the intersection of psychotherapy and BDSM.
How do you believe therapeutic BDSM helps in trauma resolution, self-regulation, and body autonomy?
Case Example
Please describe a clinical case (de-identified) in which you worked with a client from the kink/BDSM community. What challenges did you face, and how did you approach the case therapeutically? If you do not have a specific case, describe a hypothetical situation.
Have you worked with other professionals (e.g., pro practitioners, educators) in a collaborative manner before?
Describe how you facilitate interdisciplinary collaborations while maintaining clinical ethics.
Most clinicians will not be present during a Therapeutic BDSM scene. With that being said, how would you equip a client to prioritize their safety and well-being throughout the experience?
If possible, would you be willing to hold clinical space during a therapeutic BDSM scene? Meaning you would be present during the scene as a clinical observer.
If yes, how would you foster safety as a clinical observer of a scene?
Ethics and Professional Development
How do you maintain boundaries between your therapeutic work and any personal interests in BDSM/kink?
Do you participate in regular supervision or peer consultation for complex cases? Would you be willing to do so as a part of the network?
Are you willing to undergo specialized training in Therapeutic BDSM as part of this network?
Please list any additional certifications you may wish to pursue in the future or other topics of interest related to kink/BDSM.
Personal Reflection
What personal or professional experiences have shaped your desire to work with trauma survivors in a BDSM context?
What do you hope to gain from being a member of the Therapeutic BDSM Collaborative Network?
This section is only for those contemplating the roles of clinician AND pro within the network.
Understanding the Dual Role
Describe your understanding of the dual role of both a clinician and a professional BDSM practitioner within the Therapeutic BDSM Collaborative Network (TBCN)? What unique challenges do you anticipate in balancing these roles?
Professional Boundaries
How do you plan to maintain clear professional boundaries when transitioning between your clinical role and your pro practitioner role?
What specific strategies or practices will you implement to ensure you do not blur the lines between these two roles, particularly when interacting with the same clients?
Ethical Considerations
Ethical integrity is central to our work at TBCN. How do you ensure that your ethical responsibilities as a clinician align with the ethical standards expected as a pro BDSM practitioner?
How will you navigate situations where the expectations of these roles may conflict (e.g., if a client requests BDSM play that may not align with your clinical best practices)?
Role Separation & Client Trust
How will you manage and communicate your dual role within the network to clients to ensure transparency and build trust?
How will you approach situations where a client may be confused or unsure about the boundaries between the two roles?
Supervision and Support
What systems will you put in place to ensure you receive appropriate supervision and support when navigating your dual role?
Are you open to periodic check-ins or consultations with other TBCN members to help evaluate and maintain ethical practice and boundary-setting?
Time Limits and Role Transitions
If a client sees you in a clinical role, how long would you consider appropriate before taking on the pro role with them? How would you manage time boundaries in this context?
Are there specific criteria or timelines you would consider when transitioning from the clinical role to the pro role for the same client?
Documentation and Record-Keeping
What kind of documentation will you keep to ensure that both your clinical and pro roles are appropriately recorded and reviewed?
How will you separate your clinical records from your pro BDSM records, and what safeguards will you put in place to maintain client confidentiality?
Personal Reflection and Self-Regulation
How do you intend to monitor your own emotional, mental, and physical boundaries to prevent burnout or ethical violations while holding both roles?
What practices will you engage in for ongoing self-reflection to ensure you are acting in the best interest of your clients at all times?
References
Please provide the names and contact information of two professional references who can speak to your clinical skills, ethics, and commitment to working with trauma.
If this is your first application, please pay the $25 application fee. Please pay the $5 application fee if this is an additional application. Paying the wrong application fee will delay your process.