DD310-18J: Paraphilias in Counselling and Forensic Psychology

This essay delves into the understanding of paraphilias from the perspectives of counseling and forensic psychology, addressing the historical and contemporary views on these sexual interests and behaviors. It examines the debate around whether paraphilias should be considered disorders, highlighting that they only become problematic when they cause distress or harm. The essay also draws parallels with the historical criminalization and pathologization of the LGBT community, as well as current issues surrounding BDSM practices. It questions the role of counselors and forensic psychologists in diagnosing sexual 'disorders,' especially in cases where violent sexual offenders misuse counseling to evade legal consequences. The essay concludes by advocating for a nuanced understanding of paraphilias, distinguishing them from harmful behaviors like pedophilia and suggesting that DSM-5 should reconsider classifying paraphilias as disorders. It emphasizes the importance of consensual engagement in atypical sexual behaviors.

COUNSELING AND FORENSIC
PSYCHOLOGY INFORMING
ABOUT PARAPHILIAS

Mad or Bad
 Paraphilia has been considered disordered
or abnormal in some ways for very long
and it continues to be considered like this.
 Several psychologists, psychiatrists and
psychotherapists consider that paraphilia
reflects the recurring social additions rather
than any form of intentional “scientific list
of pathological sexual practices”.
 Contd…

Mad or Bad
 Few studies have found the opposite
of what most people think about
BDSM.
 It has been revealed that BDSMers
were in fact happier and
psychologically healthier than the
common population was.
 The huge popularity of the novel
Fifty Shades of Grey stands as proof
of this the proof that paraphilia is not

Paraphilias
 Paraphilia is not a disorder unless it causes
agony or anguish to someone or harm to the
society
 As Joyal and Carpentier (2017) observe,
paraphilias are in most cases, quite common
behaviors in that most people engage in
such activities.
 However, it becomes a disorder when a
person’s complete psychological satisfaction
depends on such activities as hurting
someone or self.

LGBT as crime
 For years, homosexuality and
bisexuality was considered a crime in
almost all the societies.
 With a view to fight this notion, the
LGBT community was formed, which
attempted to voice the protest of the
people and decriminalize it.
 Many societies today have realized
that homosexuality, bisexuality or
transgender is not a crime.

BDSM as crime
 The practice of BDSM is criminalized in
countries like Austria and Switzerland while
in some other countries, it depends on the
legal situation.
 However, consensual implementation of
BDSM practices are not criminalized but
thought as a breach of individual rights.
 The worrying part is that those who indulge
in consensual BDSM practices are
criminalized, which in turn cause them to go
in depression.

Role of counseling
 People seek psychological or mental health
counseling in order to deal with the
psychological distress they face.
 Psychological counseling is sought when
any behavior magnifies beyond the
‘normal’ standard.
 Paraphilia is considered a psychological
disorder and hence, many people seek
counseling for recovering from the distress.

 Contd…

Role of counseling
 Violent sexual offenders have misused
counseling offenders to save themselves
from the clutches of law.
 In many cases, sexual perpetrators have
been saved from service jail sentence by
diagnosing them as mentally ill or
suffering some disorders.
 The role of counseling here becomes
questionable and the need for rethinking
over paraphilias and sexual offence arises.

Role of forensic
psychology
 Forensic psychology could also play
an important role in understanding
the practice of paraphilias and
people involved in it.
 Forensic psychology involves the
interaction between psychology and
law. Forensic psychologists work
mostly in law enforcement
establishments like prisons, jails and
so on.

Paraphilias is neither mad
nor bad
 While pedophile is a crime, paraphilia is
not. Here comes the responsibility of
counselors and forensic psychologists to
establish the distinction between the two.
 Paraphilias is neither mad nor bad; just a
condition, a sexual activity where two
consenting partners feel pleasured to
engage in atypical sexual behavior.
 DSM-5 should revise its inclusion of
paraphilias as a disorder.

References:
Baur, E., Forsman, M., Santtila, P., Johansson, A., Sandnabba, K. and
Långström, N., 2016. Paraphilic sexual interests and sexually coercive
behavior: a population-based twin study. Archives of sexual
behavior, 45(5), pp.1163-1172.
First, M.B., 2014. DSM-5 and paraphilic disorders. Journal of the American
Academy of Psychiatry and the Law Online, 42(2), pp.191-201.
Joyal, C.C. and Carpentier, J., 2017. The prevalence of paraphilic interests
and behaviors in the general population: A provincial survey. The Journal of
Sex Research, 54(2), pp.161-171.
Moulden, H.M. and Marshall, L.E., 2017. Major Mental Illness in Those Who
Sexually Abuse. Current psychiatry reports, 19(12), p.105.
Vossler, A., Havard, C., Pike, G., Barker, M.J. and Raabe, B. eds., 2017. Mad
Or Bad?: A Critical Approach to Counselling and Forensic Psychology. Sage.
Washingtonpost.com (2019). Is Missouri couple’s ’50 Shades of Grey’
lifestyle a crime?. [online] The Washington Post. Available at:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/she-the-people/wp/2012/10/03/is-
missouri-couples-50-shades-of-grey-lifestyle-a-crime/?
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