Sex workers experience stigma, discrimination and marginalisation because of our social norms and unhelpful beliefs about sex and sexual expression. As psychologists, we have a valuable opportunity to support and process these experiences and create a safe space for healing and turning inward.
Pro dominatrix Mistress Tokyo (She/her), and AMAB sex worker Sai Jaidan Lillith (They/them), will generously share with you their experience with mental health services and their thoughts about what psychologists need to know to create a safe and inclusive therapeutic experience.
Dr Sarah Ashton (She/her), psychologist and the Director and Founder of SHIPS will share her clinical and industry experience. Sarah will overview inclusive practice principles, explain how to reflect on countertransference when working with sex workers, and outline typical areas for clinical support specific to working with sex workers.
Overview of event:
- Overview of sex work
- Sex work laws
- Marginalisation & discrimination
- Principles of inclusive practice
- Countertransference reflections
- What sex workers need from therapists
- Area of support specific to sex workers
Ticket price:
Professionals $85.49
Students: $64.39
Presenter bios:
Mistress Tokyo (She/her) @mistresstokyo
Mistress Tokyo is a Dominatrix based in Sydney. She is a white, cis-gendered woman, and queer person; her pronouns are she/her/hers. She has 21yrs experience in professional BDSM, with 14 years as an independent Pro Domme, in her own world-class studio. She’s also an internationally recognised kink educator, performer and a current student of Psychology and Counselling.
Sai Jaidan Lillith (They/them) @jaidanlillith
Sai Jaiden Lillith is a non-binary AMAB sex worker, musician and Shibari performer/practitioner who has been working in the sex industry for six years. They provide professional kink and full service escort experiences, education, create erotic art, writing and music in their band ZCluster. They have also been a BDSM/sex event organiser and have worked to create safe spaces for the kink community. They have a strong commitment to providing an ethical, consensual, safe & accepting container for exploring eroticism incorporating elements of Tantra, sex, ritual and BDSM. Sai is a fierce activist and advocate for erotic exploration and the decriminalisation & destigmatisation of sex work.
Dr Sarah Ashton (She/her) @shipspsychology
Dr Sarah Ashton (She/her) is the Director and Founder of Sexual Health and Intimacy Psychological Services (SHIPS). SHIPS promotes diversity and inclusion of marginalised communities and is the industry leader for providing evidence-based, trauma-informed psychological treatment for sexual health and intimacy. Dr Ashton is a registered psychologist, board approved supervisor, Member of the Society of Australian Sexologists and the Coordinator for the Victorian Sexual and Mental Health Network. She has published sex research in Journal of Sex Research, Feminism and Psychology, and Porn Studies. She has developed psychology & sex therapy skills-based online training and workshops for practitioners and students. She passionate about facilitating community engagement and challenging public discourse around sex and sexuality and regularly writes articles for The Conversation and RED magazine and has been a guest speaker on Joy FM, ABC radio and Triple J.