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	TSR : Web boards : Internal Enslavement : "Consensual Slavery As A Mental Health Therapy?" 1 2 3 Consensual Slavery As A Mental Health Therapy? (21) This post is on the Internal Enslavement web board. Sun 15 Mar 09, 9:35 AM Malkinius US(IL), 5 yrs Greetings all.... I am restarting this as a new thread at the request of several people on the thread where I originally posted it. What follows is what I originally posted with a spelling and better wording edit. I am going to throw out a rather loaded question and yes, I know many who read here will not have qualified answers for it, but it is something which has been going around my head for a while. A bit of background first. I have had two slaves in the last few years who have been attending sessions at a mental health clinic. One was...uh...<grins>...recruited from there by the first. She played at being a slave online and thought that was what she wanted to be offline. After talking with both of them and some of the counselors at the center about consensual slavery (and why it was not abuse) the following thought occurred to me based on what I was doing with the two slaves. Could consensual enslavement be a valid method for treating some psychological problems? (Cutting was one of the problems both slaves had.) Also, could it be a way to better mainstream some high functioning autistics or people with Asburger's Syndrome? My thought and experience is that the specific control from consensual slavery can keep some problems under control and can give the external form and structure, and sometimes a rather rigid structure that some people need or seem to need and want. Please note that I am not thinking of this in place of professional assistance and therapy in the slightest but something in addition to it. Just some thoughts to add fuel to the fires of discussion that seems appropriate to this area. Be well all.... Malkinius 15 Mar 09, 3:40 PM crystalredroze US(OH), 4 yrs Y! i dont know if i'm appropriately answering your question but ill give this one a go, please forgive me if i didnt properly grasp what youve asked. i do feel consensual enslavement can help treat some mental issues. Take me for example, Master has provided me with an environment in which i feel safe and secure and he has made it able for me to grow not only as His slave but also as a person. He encourages me to do things ive only dreamed of such as taking an art class, ive always wanted to do it but with the negative environment i was in before i was alwyas led to believe that i wasnt good enough to succeed in anything like that. i also used to live in fear of my mother ever showing up where i was ( long story behind that and its pretty evil on her part) Now i dont live in fear as Master has stressed time and time again that i am safe now and he wont let anyone or anything hurt me. i used to be so bad that i couldnt even go out the door without shaking now i go outside with no issues. So to sum it all up yes i do feel it can help a person mentally , it has me. 15 Mar 09, 11:27 PM EvaMaria US(CA), 3 yrs Naturally, a d-type is important in the treatment of a psychological disorder - no one is in a better position to provide a secure and healthy emotional environment. But in the case of an s-type who belongs to him/her it's important to recognize the reasons she/he is not qualified to diagnose, prescribe or administer treatment. The most obvious reason is the likely lack of knowledge in the average person. Psychology is a complex business and to practice it safely requires much study and experience and mistakes can be costly. The idea that the ability to create and embark upon his/her own plan of treatment is an inherent part of the M/s relationship is no more logical or responsible than the parent who decides that, by virtue of his paternity, he is qualified to set his child's broken leg and proceeds to do it. But the most compelling reason is emotional proximity. It's the reason ethical professionals don't treat those with whom they have a personal relationship. A personal relationship is by nature subjective and subjectivity is not compatible with objective therapy. No matter how much he/she may want what's best, emotional investment will colour perception. Confidentiality is another issue. A patient needs a place to openly discuss ideas that may frighten, disgust, or even come as a complete surprise to them without the additional consideration of how the knowledge of these ideas might affect those they're close to. They can't do that if the therapist is also most important person in their life. As to conditions such as Asperger's syndrome, autism or similar, I don't know enough of it to voice much of an opinion. But because of the different need (compensation vs. treatment) it does seem logical to me that a d-type could educate him/herself to know what's good and necessary. Camille (The property formerly known as Camille ) 16 Mar 09, 1:34 AM JRCs_petk HK, 4 yrs Y! My thoughts echo those of Camille and tangie. I also might add another perspective if I may. When my Owner was seeking his slave, foremost in his mind was the requirement for the potential slave to be of sound mind. Why? So he could be sure that her agreement to enter a power exchange was purely consensual, and not based upon the slave's need to abdicate all physical and emotional responsibilities. What I'm getting at, is the fact that often slaves who are emotionally unstable, with a medically diagnosed condition see slavery as quick fix solution to their problems. They pass off all responsibility to their owners, and expect for all their instabilities to disappear. It would be hard for my Owner to not question a slave's motivation if she were of unsound mind. Does the motivation ultimately matter? Probably not, though longevity and complete understanding does require a certain amount of clarity. This is somewhat controversial, as there are exceptions to every rule. And I DO agree that Ms relationships can be very beneficial for those who are challenged with a mental illness. Ms relationships do foster growth, there is no doubt. Several of my own small problems (not major clinical illnesses) have improved with the stable environment that a Dominant provides. But personally, I'd want to have achieved stability within myself, for myself before handing control over to another individual. You need to bear in mind that if you ever disappear from a slave's life, they do need to be able to pick up the pieces, function normally and continue with their lives. If a slave had been treated only within the relationship, and not through an external counseling service I'd be worried about their ability to cope as an individual. 16 Mar 09, 2:51 AM Rolling_Wildheart 6 yrs I'll again echo what was said above. My pet is borderline personality, mild OCD, chronic depression and has had issues with cutting. I do "muck around" in giolla's mind a good bit, but only because I grew up being "mucked around" with. My parents were both mental health professionals and would routinely bring some of their patients home for after hours counseling (probably not the best idea, but nothing bad happened until I married one of my mom's ex-patients (long story)). Being in the same house at many of these times, I gleaned enough knowledge to know that one of the best aspects good counseling (and I'm talking strictly of the talking part) is asking open ended questions and being a good listener. Do I try to treat giolla? No, not at all. But I do give her a sounding board when she's feeling stressed, angry, depressed, self-loathing, etc. without her fearing any judgment. Many times, through just talking it out, she's come to the root of the issue that was bugging her and I've tried to help her through those. When it's something too deep for Me, I usually ask if she needs to see her counselor. All that being said, from my experience, yes, I think M/s and D/s relationships can be a helpful addition to mental health therapry due to the strictness and routine that can be brought about as a result. Also, I think many people with mental health issues thrive when the stress of decision-making is off of them, so, in my mind, that's another advantage for the s-type. Wildheart Forsaken/I have come for you tonight/Awaken/Look in my eyes and take my hand/Give yourself up to me. - Dream Theater 16 Mar 09, 3:02 AM Master_Odin US(KS), 3 yrs I also echo the notion that a Master can be an asset in treating mental health, but it should be done in concert with qualified health care professionals. The intimacy of an M/s-TPE relationship can be an asset in treatment, but one had better know what one is doing. Selah. There is no authority, only responsibility. 16 Mar 09, 5:30 AM 179-072-997 CA, 5 yrs Y! interestingly, the reverse can also be true. a Master who has personality disorders or behavioural issues can be stabilized with a good and dedicated slave. Master James' slave, anika. 16 Mar 09, 9:42 AM Malkinius US(IL), 5 yrs Greetings all..... There is no question in my mind that any primary treatment must come from a professional in the cases where it is needed. The professional working together with an owner is no different than working with a spouse to help someone. In my experience an owner or a trainer has to have some working knowledge of psychology just to do an average job. Being a good listener is an absolute requirement. I use the Socratic method of teaching quite a bit which means asking questions to lead someone to learn on their own what you want them to learn. They go together very well. It was noted that it can also help an owner. That is true. By taking responsibility for someone else you end up taking responsibility for yourself as well. At least, those who are doing their best to do it well. We all know or know too many who don't. Yes, all too often we work with people who have problems that are otherwise not being treated and as an owner or trainer we have to work with and around them. Sometimes I think it goes with or is a part of the need to serve and be a slave. Yes, that is another topic and thread that I am certain has already been discussed. In my case, I have been fortunate enough to be able to help some people both with and without professional assistance. It is the with that got me thinking about this subject. That and having to explain to some of them what is really happening and how I could help what they were trying to do and trying to not work against it. Yes, I have been over the pros and cons of the situation. It is still intriguing as an idea and with support from the professionals could provide the structure that some people do want and need. Also, it serves as a reminder for all of us that the more we know the better we can do that thing that we do. Be well all.... Malkinius 17 Mar 09, 1:14 AM Bella_Ragazza US(RI), 6 yrs Malkinius wrote: Could consensual enslavement be a valid method for treating some psychological problems? (Cutting was one of the problems both slaves had.) Also, could it be a way to better mainstream some high functioning autistics or people with Asburger's Syndrome? My thought and experience is that the specific control from consensual slavery can keep some problems under control and can give the external form and structure, and sometimes a rather rigid structure that some people need or seem to need and want. Please note that I am not thinking of this in place of professional assistance and therapy in the slightest but something in addition to it. I can only answer this question based on my own experience, well try anyway. Since I am/was a cutter, I can relate to consensual enslavement being a positive in my life in regards to self mutilation. I don't know about the other two disorders you mentioned , so I'm sorry I can't help you there. I personally need that rigid structure, to feel secure emotionally. Master is also there to help me work through any urges I have to cut. If you have any questions, feel free to memo me. Bella 17 Mar 09, 1:18 AM Damsel US, 3 yrs Well I will be honest I have a variety of mental illnesses and I have found that being a slave has helped me. For one..I am forced to comfort many fears I have and its helping my conquer my anxiety. Also giving up control makes me a less anxious person so I find it very benefitual ((sorry can't spell)). Mostly I feel lucky to have a master that is willing to take on the challenge of having a slave with a mental illness as it certainly makes things a bit more difficult I think since I am emotional fragile. But I hope it is a rewarding for him as it is for me. 17 Mar 09, 2:46 AM Master_Odin US(KS), 3 yrs Damsel wrote: But I hope it is a rewarding for him as it is for me. Being needed and useful is almost always rewarding, no matter who one is. Selah. There is no authority, only responsibility. Next page