Sex, Kink & Trauma w/ Jamila M. Dawson August McLaughlin – Ep 173

Jamila M. Dawson, LMFT & August McLaughlin join us for episode 173 of American Sex Podcast to talk about sex, kink and trauma.  The pair recently wrote a book on the subject called, With Pleasure: Managing Trauma Triggers for More Vibrant Sex and Relationships. If you’re a human you likely have trauma and whether you realize it or not, it can affect your connection to pleasure.

Some of what we cover in this conversation:

  • What trauma is/isn’t
  • If “fuck” is a trauma response like fight/flight/freeze/fawn
  • Trauma & the mind/body connection
  • Why some people find BDSM therapeutic
  • The difference between subspace & dissociation
  • Being trauma-aware in sex-positive communities
  • Neurodivergence, trauma & sex

As heavy as the subject seems, per our usual, we approach the subject with lightheartedness and lots of laughs! Life is too short to be serious all the time 😉

Jamila M. Dawson, LMFT Bio

Jamila M. Dawson, LMFT is the co-author of the innovative book: With Pleasure: Managing Trauma Triggers for More Vibrant Sex and Relationships. A licensed therapist with an expertise in sexuality, trauma, and relationships, Jamila has been a sex educator since 2005 and has practiced psychotherapy since 2015. She is the founder and owner of the psychotherapy practice Fire & Flow Therapy. She has collaborated with Buzzfeed, MEL, Playboy, Harper’s BAZAAR and other media outlets and has appeared on numerous podcasts, including Girlboner and Sex with Dr. Jess. Jamila uses her Instagram & Facebook accounts to share practices, tools, and reflections on sexuality, relationships, and mental health. She divides her time between Las Vegas and Los Angeles.

August McLaughlin Bio

August McLaughlin is a nationally recognized journalist and host and producer of the podcast, Girl Boner Radio, a true story-driven podcast where she explores sexual empowerment, relationships and pleasure. Her articles have been featured by Cosmopolitan, the Washington Post, Salon and more. Her 2018 release, Girl Boner, was featured in the New York Times and called “equally fun, risqué, and informative” by Publishers Weekly. She has presented at colleges, recovery centers, and the CDC headquarters, attended the 2016 United State of Women summit as a nominated changemaker and gave a TEDx talk on her experience overcoming an eating disorder she was diagnosed with while working abroad in the fashion industry.

 

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Episode 173 Links 

Episode 173 Sponsor, Affiliate & Giveaway Info

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1 reply
  1. Tristan
    Tristan says:

    Be careful recommending EMDR.

    It was one of the MANY therapies I tried at NHCP. Compared to their IOP program it actually made symptoms WORSE and with NO resolution until that therapy relationship ended, a whole new therapist was assigned, and we started all over from square one.

    It might be fantastic for some people but for complex PTSD with comorbid blast related TBI, in a few patients with the wrong provider it can do more harm than good and people need to be prepared for that.

    Opening wounds without the ability to close them is dangerous. 35 of my coworkers have commited suicide since then.

    Reply

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