A Therapist's Guide to Consensual Nonmonogamy

Consensual nonmonogamy (CNM) means that all partners in a relationship consent to expanded monogamy or polyamory. Clinicians are on the front line in providing support for the estimated millions pioneering these modern relationships. This first available guide for therapists provides answers to prevalent questions: What is the difference between expanded monogamy and polyamory? Is CNM healthy and safe? Why would someone choose the complexities of multiple partners? What about the welfare of children? Through illustrative case studies from research and clinical practice, therapists will learn to assist clients with CNM agreements, jealousy, sex, time, family issues, and much more. A Therapist's Guide to Consensual Nonmonogamy serves as a step forward toward expanding standard clinical training and helps inform therapists who wish to serve the CNM population.

Rhea Orion, PhD, LMFT, CST, is a grandmother, writer, and cancer survivor. She has worked for two decades as teacher, marriage and family therapist, certified sex therapist, and family and consumer scientist.

Acknowledgments Preface Introduction Part One: Definitions and Social Issues 1. The Magical Story of Monogamy 2. Social and Clinical Misconceptions about Consensual Nonmonogamy (CNM) 3. Understanding Consensual Nonmonogamy Part Two: Issues and Interventions 4. Agreements, Boundaries, and Rules in Consensual Nonmonogamy Case Excerpt: Jill and Jack 5. Helping Jealous Clients Case Excerpt: Ann and Stan 6. Communication Issues of Honesty and Disclosure Case Excerpt: Sandra, Matt and Jon 7. It's About Time Case Excerpt: Kim and Ranger 8. Attention and Mindfulness in Consensual Nonmonogamy Case Excerpt: Sherry, Barry, and Shepherd 9. Sex and Consensual Nonmonogamy Case Excerpt: Annika 10. Families and Consensual Nonmonogamy