
Speaking Engagements & Presenting
About Ari
Ari Levine, LPCC (they/them)
Therapist | Lead Trainer at Neurodiversity-Affirming Psychotherapy Training Institute | Kink Educator & Group Facilitator
Ari is a neurodivergent, trans non-binary, poly, queer therapist, educator, and kinkster with a passion for liberatory frameworks and challenging "shoulds." With a background in art and design education, Ari blends creativity and clinical knowledge to bring a unique perspective to their presentations. They have been polyamorous for over a decade and have identified as a kinkster since 2018, bringing an openness, curiosity, and excitement for everyone’s unique experiences into every space they inhabit.
Ari’s special interest is understanding the whys of the things we do, just as much as the hows, to support individuals in discovering their own wild, authentic truths. In their clinical work, they strive to subvert traditional power dynamics, celebrate individuals’ identities, and actively dismantle white supremacy, all while working to repair the harm caused by the historical pathologizing of marginalized individuals. As a Lead Trainer for the Neurodiversity-Affirming Psychotherapy Training Institute (NAPTI), Ari develops and leads workshops for mental health professionals, focusing on clinical interventions that support neurodivergent clients and dismantle ableism in therapeutic practices.
Focused on an engaging and inclusive presentation style, Ari brings curiosity, compassion, and a commitment to creating spaces where diverse experiences can thrive. They have spoken at both sex therapy and kink national conferences, such as the Sexual Health Alliance’s Annual Sexological Conference, CURE: Columbus’ Ultimate Relationship Experience, and AASECT’s Annual Conference, as well as joined world-renowned kinkster and sex educator, Midori, on her Patreon, addressing topics like BDSM power-imbalanced relationships, informed consent, and gender-affirming practices. Within the kink community, Ari has been a peer facilitator for a relationship dynamic support group and helped run a queer kink con where they helped develop a code of conduct for producers, staff, and community leaders, and a set of guiding principles for conflict resolution and incident reports that centered nuance, community, and care.

Speaking Experience
April 2024- Present
Lead Trainer at Neurodiversity-Affirming Psychotherapy Training Institute (NAPTI)
Ari leads neurodiversity training for mental health professionals that focuses on the clinical application of neurodiversity-affirming practices and dismantling ableism within the psychological field
November 2026
Midwest Care Conference Keynote
More Than Allyship: Leveraging Our Power for Change
August 2026
Mile High Love Fest
BDSM as Neurodivergent Liberation
Saying Nonhierarchical, Feeling Secondary: How Prescriptive vs. Descriptive Hierarchy Shows Up in Non-Monogamous Relationships
June 2026
American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT) Annual Conference
BDSM as Neurodivergent Liberation
May 2026
THRIVE: BDSM and Mental Health Conference
BDSM as Neurodivergent Liberation
May 2026
Counselors for Social Justice (CSJ) Virtual Conference
BDSM as Neurodivergent Liberation
January 2026
CURE: Columbus’ Ultimate Relationship Exploration
BDSM as Neurodivergent Liberation
Informed Consent: Discussion of Edge Play
December 2025
Midori Patreon Exclusive
More Than Play: Neurodivergent Liberation as K!nk Play
October 2025
Sexual Health Alliance, 2025 Annual Sexological Conference
BDSM as Neurodivergent Liberation
October 2025
OHHi Collective, Ruff & Tumble: Big Sky’s Kink Conference 2025
Informed Consent: Discussion of Edge Play
May 2025
Pleasure Seekers at Studio Friction
BDSM as Neurodivergent Liberation
May 2025
Center on Colfax Workshop for Peer Support Leaders
Neurodiversity 101
May 2024
Collegiate Career Service Association: Colorado & Wyoming Spring 2024 Conference
Beyond Asking Pronouns: Fostering Success for Trans & Gender Non-Conforming Students in Career Development
October 2024
SAIGE 2024 Annual Conference: Elevating Advocacy
D/s, M/s, O/s, TPE…What do all these letters mean?!: BDSM Power-Imbalanced Relationships 101
March 2023
TRANSforming Gender Conference, University of Colorado Boulder
Mx or Mixing?: Decolonizing gender in art classes for teachers, kiddos, and the people who love them
October 2022
Unabashed: Queer Kink Conference
BDSM Design Thinking: How to Build a Creative Scene




