Kink for Clinicians: Cultural Competency

Date: Friday November 14, 2025
Time: 8:00am–11:00am Pacific Time
Location: Online
Available CEs: 3 in Cultural Competency
Facilitator: Jennifer Anderson, MS, LMFT
Cost: $119.00  

Registration Deadline: Tuesday November 11, 2025

Many clinicians receive little to no formal education on human sexuality, sexual development, or diverse expressions of sexual identity and behavior during their graduate training. When these topics are addressed, the focus is often limited to normative or conventional experiences, leaving significant gaps in knowledge and comfort when working with clients around issues of sex and intimacy.

This workshop is designed to bridge those gaps by providing foundational knowledge and creating space for self-reflection. Participants will explore alternative sexual and relational practices, learn key terminology and conceptual frameworks, and develop greater awareness of their own biases or discomforts. The goal is to foster a more inclusive, affirming, and culturally competent clinical practice.

While this is not an exhaustive training, it will offer essential tools to help clinicians speak more confidently and competently with clients about sex, sexuality, kink, and relationships—without relying on clients to educate them. By increasing familiarity with a broader range of sexual behaviors, identities, and expressions, participants will leave better equipped to support and affirm the diverse experiences of those they serve.

Join us in cultivating a more informed, respectful, and kink-positive therapeutic approach.

Learning objectives

1. Identify and reflect on personal biases, misconceptions, and societal influences related to kink,in order to foster a more affirming and nonjudgmental therapeutic environment.
2. Define core concepts and practices within kink and BDSM communities to enhance clinical clarity and cultural competence.
3. Apply culturally informed frameworks to assess relational dynamics in kink-involved clients,recognizing both healthy expressions and potential red flags within consensual non-normative sexual practices.

Required Materials

• Journal & pen
• Sketchbook
• Colored pencils, and/or markers, charcoal, etc. (Any medium you wish to use for drawing)

Northwest Creative & Expressive Arts Institute Cancellation & Refund Policy

Earning Continuing Education Credits

To receive a CE Certificate for completion of this workshop, you must officially register, attend the workshop/program in its entirety and complete an evaluation form after the workshop/program. The evaluation form is emailed from NWCEAI. After completing & submitting the evaluation form, a CE Certificate will be emailed to you within 5-7 business days.

Who is eligible to receive CEs?

• Nationally: Approved NBCC Provider for Mental Health Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Licensed Social Workers (you are responsible for confirming that your organization/state will accept NBCC credits.)
• New York Licensed Creative Arts Therapists (LCATs)
• Washington State School Counselor/Teacher (OSPI) Approved by the Washington State Office of Public Instruction as a “Washington State approved clock hour offering workshop.”
• If you are outside of Washington State, we advise that you check with your state licensing board to confirm that they accept NBCC Approved CEs. 

Northwest Creative and Expressive Arts Institute is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed creative arts therapists. #CAT-0123.

Northwest Creative & Expressive Arts Institute (NWCEAI) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7104. Programs that do no qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Northwest Creative & Expressive Arts Institute (NWCEAI) is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.