Explore the intersections of kink and trauma for more trauma informed play.About this Event
Have you ever wondered if your kink comes from your trauma? Has anyone ever made you feel ashamed for your kinks, or said "you shouldn't like this because of what happened to you!"
That's not only stigmatizing, it's also not how trauma, or kink, are connected. Which is why we built an afternoon to help you come to a greater understanding of your own experiences, in a setting where it is appropriate to talk about BOTH your kinky self, and learn about trauma so you can be more trauma informed in your play.
We have built the day to make it comfortable to learn and share what you want to share. You can come solo, or partnered. You can come with a more academic interest, or come ready to cry.
Join us for an enriching afternoon dedicated to exploring alternative modalities healing targeted to the kink community. Blending elements of learning and therapy, this afternoon retreat offers a unique opportunity to delve into new pathways towards resilience and self-discovery, incorporating your kink identities and journey into the process.
Retreat Itinerary
Opening Tea Ceremony
How do we create containers for us to switch into a specific mindset? This opening tea ceremony will have you choosing ingredients for your own unique blend, connecting your body to your intent.
Healing Trauma with Kink with Sex Educator Rae Szereszewski
A seminar delving into how trauma affects the body and brain, how kink impacts the brain, and when and how kink can be used as a healing modality for trauma. During Q&A, participants will get a chance to talk about their own experiences and get ideas on how they could incorporate healing elements into their scenes and dynamics.
Art Therapy with Therapist Jessica Hartig
We will be using art therapy to take a hands-on approach in processing the healing that kink practices can have on individuals with trauma. In art therapy, the process is more important than the product - we aren't looking to create for the purpose of aesthetic, we are looking to create for the purpose of expression.
Community Building
A facilitated and mediated session to self reflect and engage in dialogue to break stigma and end shame.
What you need
Cozy clothes and comfort items! All other supplies will be provided. More specific instructions on accessing the workshop room will be shared with registered participants.
About the Facilitators
Rae Szereszewski
Rae Szereszewski delivers realistic sex and relationship education to adults who want to explore confidently. She is a certified sex educator and Options for Sexual Health SHEC graduate, and has a Bachelor of Design in Fashion and Apparel Design from Toronto Metropolitan University. She wants to help people struggle less when it comes to navigating their sexual health, interpersonal relationships, and physical bodies. Her goal is to help you make empowered, authentic, and informed choices.
In addition to her experience as a latex designer, she spent 8 years creating sex positive events at Oasis Aqualounge, a lifestyle club, and has worked in a variety of roles in event planning, community building, mentorship, and project coordination.
Learn more about Rae at www.ShareWithRae.com
Jessica Hartig
Jessi (she/her) is a queer & neurodivergent therapist and artist. Her background is in art therapy and she believes in the powerful healing that can come from expressing yourself through creation. As a therapist she takes a trauma-informed and person-centred approach, recognizing that each person has unique needs and growth processes. I am informed through adademic and lived experiences in 2SLGBTQIA+ identities, polyamorous relationships, kink/BDSM, sexual abuse/surviving, and trauma processing.
Event venue
Therapy Suites, 366 Adelaide Street East, Toronto, Canada
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.