Stefani E Goerlich, PhD, LMSW-C, LISW, LCSW, CST

Sterling Heights, Michigan

Forensic Social Worker: BDSM/Kink Expert

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Specialties & Experience of this Expert Witness

General Specialties:

Behavioral and Social Sciences and Sexual Health

Keywords/Search Terms:

Sexual Assault, Sexual Trauma, Trauma, Intimate Partner Violence, Domestic Violence, Sexual Violence, Sexually Violent Predator, BDSM, Kink, Paraphilias, Fetishes, Sex Crimes, Sexual Trauma, Trauma-Informed Care, Sexual Deviance, Sexual Disorders, Sadomasochism, Bondage, Sadism

Education:

PhD in Clinical Sexology, MSTI; Masters in Social Work, Wayne State University; Master of Arts in Theological Studies, Ecumenical Theological Seminary; Sex Therapy Certificate, University of Michigan

Years in Practice:

20

Additional Information

Stefani Goerlich is a Clinical and Forensic Social Worker, Board Certified Clinical/Forensic Sexologist and Certified Sex Therapist and an internationally recognized expert on erotic minorities. A multi-award-winning author of five books on BDSM/Kink and mental health, she literally “wrote the book” on working with clients with both clinical and sub-clinical paraphilias. Her work includes: The Leather Couch: Clinical Practice with Kinky Clients Kink-Affirming Practice: Culturally Competent Therapy from The Leather Chair BDSM & Kink: The Basics With Sprinkles On Top: Everything Vanilla People and Their Kinky Partners Need to Know to Communicate, Explore, and Connect. Securing Sexuality: Emerging Issues at the Intersection of Intimacy and Technology as well as several peer-reviewed academic journal publications on the topic of clinical practice related to sexual trauma, BDSM/kink and paraphilias. Stefani lectures at the Universities of Michigan and Minnesota on gender, sexuality, and relationship differences, problematic sexual behaviors, sexual dysfunction, sexuality and technology, and sexual trauma. She holds six specialized certifications and has over 20 years clinical experience working with survivors of sexual trauma, human trafficking, and commercial sex work as well as perpetrators of sexual harm and IPV. Stefani is licensed to practice in Michigan, Arizona, Idaho and Ohio.