You will find lots of support here. Many here, including myself have been victimized in different ways.

I worried about this myself. "Am I doing this just because of what happened?!"

Then I stopped and asked myself. "Am I happy? Do I enjoy what I am doing? Do I feel safe? "

I realized, I am happy. Completley. And when I am doing something that is a bit kinky or full blown bdsm, I don't even think about what happened.

Perhaps therapist could be right, but, if this is helping to cope and you're happy, why stop?

Now if BDSM serves as a trigger for you and puts you back into the bad situation or makes you upset, you may want to rethink certain aspects.

But BDSM relationships to me are often times MUCH more romantic, safe, caring, and just generally involved. Many good Dominants I have seen care for and fawn over their subbies with great love and admiration and these subbies are in more loving and safe relationships then many vanilla ones I have observed.

When it comes down to it. Are you happy? If so, then just let it be is what I say.

Therapists try to explain away every action and reaction. I personally think its better that you are able to have the experiences you do and still be able to function sexual and have relationships rather than turning into a sexual hermit and avoiding it all together.

And unfortunatly, you will never know "who" you would have been without these experiences, but who knows you may have liked them regardless.

As long as you maintain safe, sane, and consensual practices, I personally see no harm.

-hugs-