Therapeutic BDSM as a Tool for Trauma Healing: A Somatic Approach to Addressing Sexual Trauma in Black Women

Abstract

Black women have historically been subjected to systemic sexual trauma, racialized violence, and societal stereotypes that limit their pathways to healing. Traditional therapeutic approaches, particularly those rooted in talk therapy, have often failed to address trauma that resides in the body. This article explores the potential of therapeutic BDSM (Bondage, Discipline, Dominance, Submission, and Sadomasochism) as a somatic healing intervention uniquely suited for Black women survivors of sexual trauma. By reimagining BDSM practices as tools for power reclamation, trauma rescripting, and body reconnection, this study argues that therapeutic BDSM provides a transformative pathway for releasing stored trauma. The discussion highlights the importance of culturally relevant trauma interventions, deconstructs misconceptions around BDSM, and situates this approach within somatic therapeutic frameworks.