We all know BDSM can be therapeutic.

But confusing BDSM *for* therapy or using it as a form of psychological therapy is always an unmitigated disaster.

This story about an Australian therapist who tried to treat a client's bulimia with BDSM is incredible. He was awfully lucky to be acquitted with all that evidence.

Bondage psych fights bid to discipline him

A former Fremantle psychologist who used bondage and discipline role-playing to treat a 22-year-old bulimic woman has been ordered to see a psychiatrist after arguing he should not face disciplinary proceedings because he had post traumatic stress disorder since being cleared of sexually assaulting the client.

Bruce Alistair Beaton was acquitted last year of unlawful and indecent assault, and aggravated sexual penetration of the young woman, who also claimed the psychologist whipped her with a homemade cat-o’-nine-tails while treating her between January and March 2005.

During Mr Beaton’s highly publicised trial, the District Court was shown hidden camera recordings in which the then-64-year-old called the woman his “submissive”, describing her as “delicious” and telling her he was going to “enjoy” her and “have a taste” of her. The woman, who wore a dog collar in the footage, was told to “kneel” before reading an oath pledging her body and mind to her “master”.

He told the court he had tried common methods to treat bulimia before deciding to work towards BDSM (bondage and discipline, domination and submission, sadism and masochism).

Mr Beaton was cleared of the sex and assault charges but convicted of contempt for failing to name in court the colleague who advised him on treating clients with violent sexual tendencies.

What's even richer is that he is now claiming to be the victim here -- by pursuing charges against him, they've caused him PTSD. Talk about NOT taking responsibility!

July 18, 2008 in Sex and Sadomasochism, Sex Laws and Crimes | Permalink

Your Comments

Ya gotta love his last name, though.

Posted by: mossum at Jul 18, 2008 5:12:55 PM

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