The Embodied Directions Wellness Sanctuary yoga studio in Dover, NH, hosted a “Kink Affirming Care Training” in September. Therapists who attended could earn three Continuing Education Units from the National Association of Social Workers – NH Chapter (NASW NH).
A Facebook post goes into detail on what the training provided:
Participants will delve into the concepts and practices of kink and BDSM, gaining insight into terminology, roles, and dynamics. Learn to differentiate between kink and abuse while exploring the core values within the kink community. We will explore power exchange relationships with an emphasis on informed consent and negotiation.
BDSM stands for bondage, discipline, dominance and submission, and sadomasochism. Merriam-Webster defines BDSM as “sexual activity involving such practices as the use of physical restraints, the granting and relinquishing of control, and the infliction of pain.”
Related: Book Promoted by Nashua Library to Small Kids Features Bondage Gear
In the second part of the training, broaden your perspectives on relationship diversity as we explore various structures and agreements. We will discuss the difference between cheating and ethical non-monogamy. Address personal and societal biases toward ethical non-monogamy while promoting a sex-positive and inclusive mindset.
Ethical non-monogamy refers to relationships where the participants agree to have more than one romantic or sexual partner at a time. This includes polyamory, open relationships, and swinging.
Throughout the training, participants will explore the importance of effective communication, negotiation, and boundary setting as crucial elements of the relationship. This training is an opportunity to gain basic knowledge and tools to provide affirming and supportive care for individuals in diverse lifestyles.
This class, taught by Katie Hespelein, provided New Hampshire therapists with training on how to guide and encourage their clients to partake in dysfunctional and destructive relationships. Katie wants better for herself, however. She is engaged to be married. She knows that a committed monogamous relationship is what gives her the best chance at good mental health. She promotes mental-health-destroying relationships to others while she refrains from them herself.
Katie Hespelein, the Embodied Directions Wellness Sanctuary, and the NASW NH have a lot to answer for promoting this terrible stuff in our state. I was happy to read that shortly after this training the yoga studio was evicted by their landlord. That is justice.
