Citation

Queen C. Women Ther. 1996; 19(4): 65-73.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1996, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1300/J015v19n04_08

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The author offers feminist therapists an introduction to the history, practices and community structures of S/M practitioners. Without a basic knowledge of S/M sexuality (and the ability to separate myths about S/M from facts), therapists cannot provide their S/M-practicing clients optimal care. Literature from a sexological and S/M community perspective is recommended for those professionals who wish to expand their knowledge of this constellation of erotic practices and the issues with which its practitioners might commonly deal. Women and men whose erotic fantasies or practices include sadomasochistic or dominant/submissive elements have traditionally received little support and understanding from mainstream psychotherapists. This has also been true of women seeking to disclose S/M interests or feelings to feminist therapists. Indeed, S/M sexuality has been such a site of controversy within feminist thought that many feminist therapists, influenced both by traditional psychotherapeutic notions and feminist discourse about S/M, regard sadomasochistic fantasies and play as doubly problematic.