Overview

⏱️ Schedule:  Doors 18:30 → Talk 19:00→ Q&A → Mingle

🌐 Language: English

BDSM and kink are some of the most talked-about, least understood parts of human sexuality. Strip away the stereotypes, and there's a far richer story underneath: a history that stretches across cultures, a complicated relationship with feminism and LGBTQ+ movements, and a body of psychological research that's only recently caught up with what practitioners have known for years.

This talk brings together two psychologists, one of whom is also a professional dominatrix, to make sense of it, properly — no prior knowledge needed. Together, they'll trace where BDSM came from, how psychology's view of it has shifted over time, and what kink can teach us about neurodiversity, identity, and the power of ritual. They'll also get practical: how to recognise genuinely safe BDSM practices and real informed consent.

What we'll cover

• The history of BDSM and kink, and the rituality of pain across cultures
• Its rich and complex relationship with feminist and LGBTQ+ movements
• How psychology's view of kink has shifted — and what that shift reveals
• What kink can teach us about neurodiversity, identity integration, and ritual play
• How to recognise safe BDSM practices and genuine informed consent

Speakers

Laura Ascari

Psychologist specializing in Women* & FLINTA Mental Health

Laura Ascari is a psychologist specializing in women* and FLINTA mental health. Born near Bologna, she completed an International Master in Psychology at the University of Valencia and has been working in Berlin since 2019. Her background is in organisational psychology, and she works within a transfeminist, decolonial, and culturally informed framework that embraces mixed backgrounds and alternative lifestyles. She supports clients on topics including migration, grief, depression, relational issues, abuse, isolation, and systemic injustice — combining a solid foundation with a curious, fluid approach to identity and self-exploration. 

Blanca Rodríguez

Psychologist, Professional Dominatrix & Founder of Kink Consulting

Blanca Rodríguez is a psychologist with a background in philosophy and performing arts — disciplines that have shaped her understanding of identity, embodiment, and expression. Her approach is transfeminist and non-pathologizing, with a focus on relational and sexual diversity. She is also a professional dominatrix with over eight years of experience, giving her a deep, practical understanding of power dynamics, boundaries, and non-normative sexuality. Through Kink Consulting, she offers an educational space to ethically support kink and BDSM practitioners.