Em Marshall (they/them) finds their joy and purpose as a neurodivergent coach and facilitator. They are a white, nonbinary settler residing on stolen Cree land in Amiskwaciy-Wâskahikan (Edmonton, Alberta) and are on a lifelong decolonizing journey. In the last 3 years, they've provided hundreds of hours of coaching and care to neurodivergent folks across Turtle Island and Europe. Working with individuals, romantic & sexual partnerships, and a variety of families, Em brings to bear experience and expertise that benefits a variety of clients, including those exploring queerness, non-monogamy, kink, and sexuality as vectors of connection and community.

Operating from a framework of unconditional positive regard, harm reduction, and centring each individual's agency, Em draws on their lived experience with AuDHD, queerness, and 11 years supporting community members navigating care under the pressures of the marginalization that occurs under oppressive, colonial systems. Exploring kink connection in their personal relationships for many years, Em is excited to find new opportunities to connect with local and far-flung kink communities.

Why My Therapist Doesn’t Know: Barriers To Disclosure for Kinksters Seeking Mental Health Support
Kink community members often experience harm when seeking mental health care and accommodation. Due to a lack of cultural competency and mental health provider bias, people often hide their kink desires and identities from providers out of fear of stigma, pathologizing, loss of agency, and a rational, reasonable concern that they will be denied the care they deserve.

Dare and Em are coaches who often receive disclosures that mental health professionals are not trusted with. In this workshop, we seek to affirm that neurodivergent kinksters deserve equitable treatment in these systems and to aid helping professionals become a safer place for kinksters to land. By discussing and naming these barriers, this workshop will focus on supporting neurodivergent kinksters navigating these mental healthcare relationships through a harm reduction lens and supporting helping professionals who want to increase their understanding and better serve their kinky, neurodivergent clients.

Presenter Bios:
Dare Campbell (they/them) is an educator and coach with over 15 years of experience dedicated to supporting individuals within underserved sexuality and disability communities, as well as guiding both emerging and established leaders. As both a 1-on-1 coach and a group educator, Dare employs a peer-based approach to foster community safety, knowledge, and collective care. They have been featured on various podcasts, university panels, and television programs and have taught at numerous sexuality and kink conferences across North America.

In their work, Dare equips participants and clients with practical tools and illustrative examples to help them build self-knowledge and communication skills. Dare advocates for a collaborative approach that emphasizes creating a sense of safety and shared vulnerability, believing it is essential for cultivating meaningful connections, fulfilling relationships, and a love-filled life. For more information, visit their website at https://www.learngrowrepeat.ca/.

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Em Marshall (they/them) finds their joy and purpose as a neurodivergent coach and facilitator. They are a white, nonbinary settler residing on stolen Cree land in Amiskwaciy-Wâskahikan (Edmonton, Alberta) and are on a lifelong decolonizing journey. In the last 3 years, they've provided hundreds of hours of coaching and care to neurodivergent folks across Turtle Island and Europe. Working with individuals, romantic & sexual partnerships, and a variety of families, Em brings to bear experience and expertise that benefits a variety of clients, including those exploring queerness, non-monogamy, kink, and sexuality as vectors of connection and community.

Operating from a framework of unconditional positive regard, harm reduction, and centring each individual's agency, Em draws on their lived experience with AuDHD, queerness, and 11 years supporting community members navigating care under the pressures of the marginalization that occurs under oppressive, colonial systems. Exploring kink connection in their personal relationships for many years, Em is excited to find new opportunities to connect with local and far-flung kink communities.