Are you one of the estimated 20% of the United States that has participated in consensual non-monogamy? (Haupert et al., 2017) Are you interested in being part of a non-traditional relationship? Are you just curious? We pride ourselves on being open-minded and inclusive of all genders, races, relationships, sexual or romantic preferences, perspectives, careers, etc. We will never judge you. We want everyone to be comfortable talking to us about any topic. We understand that relationships, romance and desire come in all different shapes, sizes and colors. So if you are in a non-traditional relationship, and are looking for a therapist who you can trust won’t judge you, look no further.
Yes, non-traditional relationships can be complicated. But they can also be fun. They can be messy. They can be joyful. Or rewarding. There are also many types of non-traditional relationships. Polyamory or polyfidelity, polygamy, consensual non-monogamy, open relationships, swinging, relationship anarchy (RA) and non-romantic relationships are all valid ways to relate to a partner or partners. To be fair, being single is also a valid option.
Just like with any relationship, the number one thing to remember for a successful foray into a non-traditional relationship is open, honest communication. Be honest about your boundaries and your expectations, and be prepared to honor and respect the boundaries and expectations of your partner or partners. Make sure that you genuinely care about each other and ensure that you will be able to support each other. If you want someone to talk to, or if you can’t figure it out on your own, there are professionals (like us) to help guide you. You are still strong and valuable if you ask for help.
References:
Ellington, L. (2015, March 11). Navigating Polyamorous & Other Non-Traditional Relationships. Retrieved from https://www.meetmindful.com/navigating-polyamorous-non-traditional-relationships/#
Haupert, M.L., Gesselman, A.N., Moors, A.C., Fisher, H.E., and Garcia, J.R. (2017). Prevalence of experiences with consensual nonmonogamous
relationships: Findings from two national samples of single Americans. Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy, 43(5), 424-440. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/0092623X.2016.1178675