Polyamorous and Open Relationships Therapy
Polyamory and open relationships deserve expertise, respect, and attention too. Whether you are in a open relationship, polycule, or throuple our team of relationship experts is highly skilled and prepared to help you and your lovers strike the right balance, learn to communicate, and achieve repair when relational fractures happen. When we say “love is love is love,” we mean it. No matter what relational orientation or arrangement you have, we are here to get you where you want to go.
What to expect
Relationships are complicated with a variety of components that make them thrive or allow them to suffer. Our approach will not only give you and your partners the practical skills to communicate healthily, but to also tackle challenges maturely.
- In addition to practical skills, we’ll also consider what is going on beneath the hood. We’re here to clean out your challenges from the root.
- We’ll help you identify dynamics that play out in plain sight, but also uncover the sneaky, yet powerful, processes in the background of our awareness.
- One of our primary our goals is to help you and your lovers create a clean, thorough contract so that everyone feels seen, safe, soothed, and secure.
Open Relationships Counseling FAQs
Look for a therapist who demonstrates an understanding of consensual non-monogamy, has experience working with polyamorous clients, and actively seeks ongoing education and training in this field.
Therapy can play a vital role in providing support, guidance, and a safe space for individuals and couples to navigate the complexities of polyamorous relationships, addressing emotional and interpersonal challenges.
An ENM or polyamory-affirmative therapist can connect clients with ENM/polyamory support groups and resources in their area, providing valuable community-based support.
Specialized couples counseling with an ENM (Ethical Non-monogamy) or polyamory-affirming therapist can facilitate open conversations about sexual, emotional, and physical trauma, empowering partners to navigate complex dynamics with empathy and understanding.
Therapists specializing in open relationships and polyamory can provide valuable guidance and support for individuals navigating the process of coming out, offering a safe space to explore personal identity and relationships.
An ENM/polyamory-affirming therapist demonstrates a specific understanding and acceptance of consensual non-monogamy, providing targeted support and guidance tailored to the unique dynamics of polyamorous relationships.
Therapy provides a supportive environment for exploring emotions, fostering effective communication, and addressing interpersonal challenges within open or polyamorous dynamics, helping individuals and partners navigate their relationships with strong communication, empathy and resilience.
- Polyamorous: Polyamory refers to the practice of engaging in multiple consensual, emotional, and intimate relationships simultaneously, with the knowledge and consent of all partners involved. It is characterized by a focus on building meaningful connections, fostering emotional intimacy, and often involves open communication about the existence of multiple partners. Polyamorous individuals prioritize ethical and transparent relationships, emphasizing trust, respect, and consent within each dynamic.
- Hookups: Hookups typically refers to engaging in casual sexual encounters or relationships with multiple partners without the expectation of emotional attachment or long-term commitment. It often involves a lack of exclusivity or emotional involvement, focusing primarily on sexual experiences rather than deep emotional connections. Hookups are not primarily rooted in the establishment of committed, long-term relationships and may involve a more casual approach to sexual interactions.
The question of whether polyamory is a choice or an inherent identity has been the subject of much discussion and debate. Various perspectives exist, highlighting the complexity of this issue:
- Polyamory as an Identity: Some individuals within the polyamorous community view their lifestyle and capacity for multiple simultaneous relationships as an integral part of their personal identity. They may express that being polyamorous is not simply a lifestyle choice but a fundamental aspect of who they are, similar to how one might identify with a specific sexual orientation.
- Polyamory as a Lifestyle Choice: Others perceive polyamory as a lifestyle choice, emphasizing that it involves deliberate decisions and preferences regarding relationship structures rather than an inherent trait. For some individuals, polyamory represents a chosen approach to relationships that aligns with their values, desires, and relationship goals.
- Not a Sexual Orientation: While some people consider polyamory akin to a sexual orientation, many argue that it differs significantly from traditional sexual orientations like heterosexuality or homosexuality. Polyamory is distinct from sexual orientation due to its focus on relationship dynamics and structures rather than solely on sexual attraction.
- Ethical Considerations: A key aspect often emphasized within discussions about polyamory is the ethical and consensual nature of such relationships, regardless of whether it is viewed as a choice or an identity. Ethical considerations, such as trust, respect, and consent, are essential components of polyamorous relationships, influencing how individuals perceive and engage in polyamory.
In conclusion, the question of whether polyamory is a choice or an identity reflects diverse viewpoints within the polyamorous community and broader society. This diversity highlights the multifaceted nature of polyamorous relationships and the complex interplay between personal identity, lifestyle choices, and ethical considerations.
We often say that it is our job to work ourselves out of a job. In that light, therapy sessions are collaborations between you and your therapist. We first want to earn your trust by being safe, well-trained, and capable. As the therapeutic process takes shape, it becomes a working relationship, much like teamwork. We often provide psychological education on certain behavioral patterns or relational dynamics and provide safe feedback that will help you grow in a safe environment. We also take great pride in showing up authentically, so you’ll get to know your therapist as much as we get to know you. We affirm what research tells us time and time again: It is the therapeutic relationship that is most important. As a result, therapy sessions are more of a safe place to be challenged, to be heard, and to be allowed to be honest with how you show up in the world.
The length of therapy deepens on what you would like to address and how deep you want to go. Many people like to address a specific issue, while others want to reach a new level of wholeness. Although a specific number of sessions cannot be determined, you can work closely with your therapist to get the most out of every minute you are with us.
We have a wide range of experienced therapists who offer a variety of price points. Depending on what you would like to address and how deep you’d like to go, therapy will range in price. If you’d like to set a free consultation with a therapist, they will help give you an anticipated range of the cost.
Yes. Therapy, especially therapy with queer, trans, or allied therapists, can be helpful in giving you tools to cope with, desensitizing reactions, and finding confidence to deal with discrimination and stigma. We often act as advocates when it is appropriate and help you find resources that offer support and assistance. In terms of therapy, we can use modalities like EMDR or Breathwork to help you gain the skills and insights to help you stand firm in a heterosexist, cisgendered world.
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