horseluv3r
Tourist
I would like to share my experiences with a licensed therapist and their recommendations when it came to zoophilia. I realize that therapy can be expensive. Not every therapist would be accepting of zoophilia, even if they should be. I hope this this will be useful to anyone struggling with their sexuality and unable to talk to a good licensed therapist.
1. Zoophilia is a Valid Sexuality
The DSM-5 classifies zoosexuality as a paraphilia not otherwise specified. It is listed alongside other paraphilias that do not deserve mention alongside zoophilia. Many licensed therapists disagree with this classification and there have been discussions to remove zoosexuality as an example from the DSM unless it interferes with your ability to lead a healthy, active life. My own therapist notes that homosexuality was famously listed as a mental disorder in the DSM until 1974.
There is nothing wrong with you for being sexually attracted to animals.
Is it different? Yes. Everyone is different. Is it inherently harmful or abusive? No. Does it require you to feel shame and disgust? No. If you're in therapy as a zoophile, a lot of time may be devoted to overcoming this.
Society tells us that we are wrong. That we are bad. Illegal. Non-zoophiles will tell you to "get help" and "talk to a therapist" for your zoophilia. Guess what? Any real therapist will respond with support for you, not to try and change you. The harm from being a zoophile comes from the outside bigotry and hatred that we internalize into self-hatred and loathing. That's what a therapist would help you confront.
2. Community is Important
You are already on a zoophilia forum so you are already doing this. Finding other individuals to bond with, make friendships with, and share in your common interests is important. Humans naturally seek connection to others. Even if we are sexually attracted to non-humans it can still be important to find connection with other humans so we know that we are not alone. You are not the only one dealing with this sexuality. You are not isolated in your thoughts, desires, and fantasies.
Being able to freely connect and communicate with other zoophiles allows you to ground yourself within a supportive community. I encourage you to check out other web-sites, books, and podcasts that are pro-zoophile. I will not link them here, but feel free to PM me if you would like recommendations. In my own research I have found non-zoophilic authors that are supportive of zoophiles. It is incredibly validating to read about yourself in a hard cover book from a non-zoophile author stating that your sexuality is valid and not inherently abusive.
3. Ethical Zoophilia Requires Effort
This board does a good job of attempting to ban abusive pornography. On your own and within your own relationships, engaging in zoophilia requires you to be thoughtful. I cannot tell you what is abusive and is not. I cannot tell you when your partner is consenting and non-consenting. We can talk about examples, you can read the great how-to guides on this board, but at the end of the day, engaging in ethical zoophilia requires effort on your part.
I have gotten my (very non-zoo) therapist to laugh with me about size differences between myself and a mare. Certainly those kinds of interactions are perhaps very obviously ethical from a power and size difference viewpoint. Other interactions may not be so clearly defined. It is up to you to take responsibility to educate yourself and engage in activities with your partner in a respectful way.
4. Be Smart
Zoophilia is illegal in many parts of the world. Homosexuality is illegal in some parts of the world. Illegality does not equate with immorality, but it does necessitate you being aware of potential repercussions and safety measures you can take to protect yourself and your animal. The most devastating part of anti-zoophilia legislation is that it does not care about the well-being of your animal.
Make no mistake - your animal will be mistreated if you are torn from their life. Impounded. Castrated. Locked in a kennel. Put down. It's devastating but important to think about. What you do to protect yourself is important, sure, but you also need to protect your animal. You have a moral obligation to think about their needs. Relating back to the third point, being ethical here requires effort. It doesn't mean you need to stop or hate yourself, it just means you should be smart and take proper precautions.
If anyone else has had positive experiences with therapy and would like to share what they have learned, please feel free to chime in.
1. Zoophilia is a Valid Sexuality
The DSM-5 classifies zoosexuality as a paraphilia not otherwise specified. It is listed alongside other paraphilias that do not deserve mention alongside zoophilia. Many licensed therapists disagree with this classification and there have been discussions to remove zoosexuality as an example from the DSM unless it interferes with your ability to lead a healthy, active life. My own therapist notes that homosexuality was famously listed as a mental disorder in the DSM until 1974.
There is nothing wrong with you for being sexually attracted to animals.
Is it different? Yes. Everyone is different. Is it inherently harmful or abusive? No. Does it require you to feel shame and disgust? No. If you're in therapy as a zoophile, a lot of time may be devoted to overcoming this.
Society tells us that we are wrong. That we are bad. Illegal. Non-zoophiles will tell you to "get help" and "talk to a therapist" for your zoophilia. Guess what? Any real therapist will respond with support for you, not to try and change you. The harm from being a zoophile comes from the outside bigotry and hatred that we internalize into self-hatred and loathing. That's what a therapist would help you confront.
2. Community is Important
You are already on a zoophilia forum so you are already doing this. Finding other individuals to bond with, make friendships with, and share in your common interests is important. Humans naturally seek connection to others. Even if we are sexually attracted to non-humans it can still be important to find connection with other humans so we know that we are not alone. You are not the only one dealing with this sexuality. You are not isolated in your thoughts, desires, and fantasies.
Being able to freely connect and communicate with other zoophiles allows you to ground yourself within a supportive community. I encourage you to check out other web-sites, books, and podcasts that are pro-zoophile. I will not link them here, but feel free to PM me if you would like recommendations. In my own research I have found non-zoophilic authors that are supportive of zoophiles. It is incredibly validating to read about yourself in a hard cover book from a non-zoophile author stating that your sexuality is valid and not inherently abusive.
3. Ethical Zoophilia Requires Effort
This board does a good job of attempting to ban abusive pornography. On your own and within your own relationships, engaging in zoophilia requires you to be thoughtful. I cannot tell you what is abusive and is not. I cannot tell you when your partner is consenting and non-consenting. We can talk about examples, you can read the great how-to guides on this board, but at the end of the day, engaging in ethical zoophilia requires effort on your part.
I have gotten my (very non-zoo) therapist to laugh with me about size differences between myself and a mare. Certainly those kinds of interactions are perhaps very obviously ethical from a power and size difference viewpoint. Other interactions may not be so clearly defined. It is up to you to take responsibility to educate yourself and engage in activities with your partner in a respectful way.
4. Be Smart
Zoophilia is illegal in many parts of the world. Homosexuality is illegal in some parts of the world. Illegality does not equate with immorality, but it does necessitate you being aware of potential repercussions and safety measures you can take to protect yourself and your animal. The most devastating part of anti-zoophilia legislation is that it does not care about the well-being of your animal.
Make no mistake - your animal will be mistreated if you are torn from their life. Impounded. Castrated. Locked in a kennel. Put down. It's devastating but important to think about. What you do to protect yourself is important, sure, but you also need to protect your animal. You have a moral obligation to think about their needs. Relating back to the third point, being ethical here requires effort. It doesn't mean you need to stop or hate yourself, it just means you should be smart and take proper precautions.
If anyone else has had positive experiences with therapy and would like to share what they have learned, please feel free to chime in.
