Troubleshooting the Top Five D/s Relationship Issues: A Therapist’s Perspective

A Dom/sub dynamic can be deeply rewarding and fulfilling — but it can also impose some unique challenges not typically seen in vanilla relationships. In this live Zoom presentation, we’ll examine five common conflicts encountered in D/s and other power exchange based relationships, from the perspective of a therapist with years of relationship counseling experience. These “Top Five” issues include: (1) communication issues and “getting on the same page” with protocol, desires, and expectations; (2) defining and becoming comfortable with your respective roles even when they seem to contradict your vanilla life (e.g., the “alpha sub” with a leadership role at work); (3) coming out as kinky to your vanilla partner; (4) handling the D/s dynamic within the context of polyamorous or other ethically non-monogamous relationships; and (5) handling reactions from vanilla family and friends to your kinky relationship.

Heather K. Mazarakos, LCSW, has over 20 years of experience working with individuals, couples, and multi-partner/poly relationships in the fetish, kink and bdsm communities. She received her Bachelor of Social Work from Southern Connecticut State University, and holds a Master’s Degree in Clinical Social Work with a specialization in Substance Abuse and Bereavement from Fordham University. Her other areas of therapeutic focus have included LGBTQ+ issues, addictions, legal issues related to drug and alcohol offenses, mood disorders, sexual abuse, geriatric and hospice issues, grief and loss, suicide, trauma, and infertility. She is licensed in Connecticut and has worked in both inpatient hospital settings as well as within the community.

Heather has created a practice that is warm, small, and personal, allowing her to work directly with her clients for their treatment, appointments and other needs. She is a frequent lecturer as well as an attendee of seminars on emerging treatment trends and modalities, and she collaborates with her professional colleagues in order to meet the needs of her clients and continue to hone her specialized approach to individual therapy.

The fee for this program is $7 for members, and $10 for non-members. Ticket holders will receive an email containing the Zoom meeting link to access this class the day of the event.

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