Safe, Sane and Consensual ― Contemporary Perspectives on Sadomasochism

Psychological and medical perspectives on sadomasochism (SM) have historically been concerned with understanding it as a form of psychopathology. In the past (but still often today) studies of SM have been concerned with extreme and most often non-consensual acts. More recently, however, there has been growing interest in exploring the meaning of sadomasochism in non-pathological ways.

Safe, Sane and Consensual includes work from across the social sciences exploring a variety of aspects of SM from a non-pathological perspective. There are discussions of the history and culture of SM, medical and legal understandings, along with theory and original research on the topic. There are also sections on SM and psychotherapy and writing on bridging the academic/activist divide.

This book, now in paperback with a new introduction, includes contributions from an international group of academics, practitioners and activists and represents some of the most recent cutting edge work in the field by leading scholars

DR. DARREN LANGDRIDGE is a lecturer in Social Psychology at the Open University, UK, and an existential psychotherapist. He is the author of Phenomenological Psychology: Theory, Research and Method (Pearson Education) as well as numerous papers on sexualities, the construction of 'the family' and existential psychotherapy. DR. MEG BARKER is Senior Lecturer in Psychology at London South Bank University, UK, and a trainee existential psychotherapist specialising in sex and relationship therapy. She is the author of Introductory Psychology (Learning Matters) as well as several papers and book chapters on aspects of sexuality and relationship structures.