What is Non-Monogamy?
Happy relationships can exist in many different formats and research shows they are valid and healthy options. Outside of the monogamy box there are a million different ways to shape relationships, each one as unique as you.
Doing things your way–the freedom to create your life.
Support for Non-Monogamous Relationships
Non-monogamous relationships can be deeply rewarding, offering freedom, authenticity, and expanded ways of loving—but they can also come with unique challenges. Partners may struggle with jealousy, boundary-setting, time management, communication breakdowns, or navigating stigma from family and society. Therapy provides a safe, nonjudgmental space to explore these issues, strengthen trust, and develop tools for honest communication. With support, non-monogamous partners can build stronger agreements, deepen intimacy, and create relationships that feel both secure and expansive. Whether new to this way of life or many years in, you want a therapist that knows their way around this very different world of relationships. I have been practicing non-monogamy for 15+ years and I share this openly because I know it can be hard to find a therapist that truly ‘gets it’. No, you don’t need to explain what compersion is to me. This way of living takes more than reading a chapter in a book to understand and navigate. You have chosen a path without a roadmap handed to you. Decolonizing your mind from dominant societal narratives can take a long time, even when those narratives no longer align with your values. I am here to help you do it YOUR WAY while being the imperfect wonderful human you are along the way.
Here’s a beginner friendly breakdown of the major styles of consensual non-monogamy (CNM/ENM). Keep in mind each person’s definition and use of these terms might vary slightly or even greatly from these definitions in real life so its important to get clarity when dating:
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Polyamory – Building multiple loving, committed relationships at the same time, with honesty and consent.
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Open Relationships – A committed couple who allow sexual or romantic connections outside the primary partnership.
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Swinging – Partners who explore sexual experiences with others, often together, in social or recreational settings.
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Relationship Anarchy – Rejecting traditional rules and hierarchies, allowing each relationship to develop freely based on the needs and agreements of those involved.
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Solo Polyamory – Individuals who value independence and autonomy while maintaining multiple intimate or romantic connections, often without a “primary” partner.
But isn’t it just cheating?!
Consensual non-monogamy (CNM) is not the same as cheating because the foundation of CNM is honesty, communication, and mutual agreement. Cheating involves secrecy, betrayal, and breaking trust, while CNM is built on transparency and consent—everyone involved knows about and agrees to the relationship structure. In CNM, partners openly discuss boundaries, needs, and expectations so that trust and respect remain intact. Rather than undermining a relationship, CNM can actually strengthen it by encouraging deeper conversations, intentional choices, and authentic connections that honor each person’s values and desires. Cheating can and does STILL HAPPEN when agreements are broken within a CNM relationship, but the relationship structure itself is not cheating. Regardless of your relationship style, people can benefit from therapy helping them to define ‘cheating’ and their agreements. IS looking at porn cheating? IS an office flirtation cheating? Even in monogamy, these things are often assumed, but often individuals have very different ideas of what is O.K. in their relationship that never get’s talked about. Clear communication about expectations and boundaries is essential to any relationship.
Safe Space Does Exist
From first time explorers looking for more information to well seasoned veterans tired of therapist who really don’t understand their way of life–you are welcome to book a free call to see if I am the right fit for you.