Total Power Exchange (TPE)

A total power exchange (TPE) is a dynamic in which two people have agreed that one takes full control and responsibility for the actions of the other person. This kind of dynamic can be done only during play, but is more common as an ongoing dynamic between people, referred to as 24/7 TPE. Consent is given willingly at the start of these arrangements and it is seen as a lifestyle choice. The dynamic is something people build up to, and in practice only use sparsely when used in an ongoing dynamic. controlling someone all the time is not practical. Often people in a M/s or D/s relationship have these kinds of agreements to a varied level of control. In philosophies like Core BDSM, TPE is more central to the power exchange happening between partners. At its root, TPE is about a person fully letting go and allowing the other to have full control over them. This can be about sexual things and arrangements that look like free use, but also about what to wear, what kind of work to do, where to spend money and what chores to do. It is up to the person with control to determine what the person does and needs to follow without question. ### Safety & Consent There are different views on how consent can be achieved and maintained within a TPE. For people who play with this inside of a scene, consent is discussed before and after the scene. For people who see this as a 24/7 lifestyle, some have an ongoing conversation around consent, while others have extensive conversations before adopting the lifestyle and will only break from that once the relationship has ended. There is a lot of variation and in practice people tend to use what works best for them and their situation.