Explore how the different parts of ourselves show up in scenes—and how kink can support healing, integration, and connection

Day: **Saturday, July 19

Time: 5 - 7 pm

Location: Less Dead Studio in Poughkeepsie, NY

Address: Provided in vetting approval email (see below)

Ages: 18+

Facilitated by: Jen Chess (she/her), LCSW

Event Description

Have you ever felt like different parts of you show up in the dungeon? Maybe a part of you wants to let go completely, while another part is hyper-aware or trying to stay in control. Maybe after a scene, a tender part surfaces that you weren’t expecting. This class explores how Internal Family Systems (IFS) can help us understand these experiences and use kink as a tool for healing, regulation, and growth.

IFS invites us to notice and work with the different “parts” of ourselves—those internal voices, protectors, exiles, and managers—and connect with our deeper Self, the calm and curious inner leader within us all. When we bring this model into our kink practice, it opens up powerful possibilities for deeper consent, communication, and healing.

Through discussion and experiential practice, we’ll explore:

1. IFS Basics: Learn the foundational concepts of Internal Family Systems, including Self, protectors, and exiles.
2. Parts in Play: Discover how different parts of your internal system show up in scenes and aftercare.
3. Strategies: Learn how to leverage your different parts and anchor in Self-energy to support regulation, connection, and growth before, during, and after play.

Whether you’re a curious beginner or a seasoned kinkster looking to go deeper, this class offers a compassionate, trauma-informed lens to explore your inner world through kink. Come explore the parts that play—and how to play with heart.