Therapy for Polyamory and Non-Monogamous Clients

This comprehensive CEU course provides mental health professionals with the theoretical and practical tools necessary to serve the Consensual Non-Monogamy (CNM) community ethically. As roughly 20% of adults engage in CNM, therapists must move beyond mononormative assumptions to provide affirmative care. You will learn to navigate the complexities of multi-partner systems using evidence-based frameworks. Theoretical Frameworks We apply Attachment Theory to move clients from "jealousy" to "compersion," viewing multiple bonds as opportunities for secure attachment rather than signs of avoidance. Using Family Systems Theory, you will learn to map "polycules" via specialized genograms. We adapt Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) to de-escalate cycles within V-structures and triads, focusing on the attachment needs of each member. Clinical Assessment and Risk Management You will learn to differentiate between healthy "Kitchen Table Polyamory" and "Parallel" structures, ensuring safety and transparency. We provide a rigorous framework for identifying Poly-under-Duress (PUD) and screening for coercion. The course covers sexual health advocacy, teaching you to facilitate non-judgmental discussions on testing and safer-sex protocols. Social and Legal Dynamics The curriculum addresses the impact of Minority Stress on polyamorous families, including workplace discrimination and housing instability. We explore parenting in multi-adult households, providing strategies for age-appropriate disclosure and navigating legal "morality clauses" in custody cases. Ethics and Professional Boundaries We establish clear protocols for "No-Secrets" policies and confidentiality in multi-partner systems. You will utilize a "Clinical Self-Audit" to identify and mitigate mononormative bias, ensuring you maintain neutrality and clinical competence.