Stigma from Therapists Toward BDSM and Kink-Practicing Clients

Surprisingly, as noted in a study, some therapists would outright state negative judgments or try to automatically pathologize a client for their interest in BDSM or kink activities. Due to fear of stigmatization, many people who practice BDSM do not disclose their sexual practices to their therapists; in turn, if there is a longer-term therapeutic relationship, the client feels uneasy about revealing this aspect of their lives out of fear, affecting the therapeutic alliance.