Open Relationship Therapy
Questions, questions, questions. We all have questions (and opinions) about open relationships. People want to know what it means to be in an open relationship. They want to know what it takes to make an open relationship work and they want to know how to avoid common pitfalls that many people face. The same goes for polyamorous relationships and the practice of ethical non-monogamy. As someone who is experienced in the world of ethical non-monogamy and offers an open relationship therapy approach in my coaching, I have discovered that there is no one specific way to be in an open relationship. Yes, books are helpful to help us get a grasp on the “dos and don’ts”; however, each person and each couple gets to decide how to do it. Just as we are unique in being human, how we live and the choices we make, we are also unique in our identification with and beliefs about relationships.
Special Note: Although I use an open relationship therapy approach, I am a professional open relationship coach. In addition to my years of experience as an expert, I also have years of experience in open relationships, polyamory and other forms of ethical non-monogamy.
As an open relationship coach, I can legally share my personal experience with you when it is in service to help you gain perspective on a given situation. This is something that licensed therapists cannot do. Also, I can do sessions virtually anywhere. Most licensed therapists are bound to doing sessions in a private office which tends to increase their hourly rate.
Lastly, it is rare to find a licensed open relationship therapist who has the kind of “boots on the ground” experience in open relationships and ethical non-monogamy that I have. This is one of the main reasons people hire me as their experienced and professional open relationship coach.
Questions? Feel free to contact me or schedule a free consultation to see if I am able to offer the help you need.
Pros & Cons Of Being In An Open Relationship And How An Open Relationship Therapy Perspective Can Help
If you’re considering an open relationship, I strongly recommend you take some time to learn about the various aspects of the lifestyle. Doing research before taking action will better equip you and your partner for the road ahead. Keep in mind, people choose ethical non-monogamy for a variety of reasons. It’s important to get clear on your intentions behind opening a relationship. Having an understanding of the pros and cons and seeing how they align with what you are desiring for your relationship can be incredibly helpful.
Read my full article that addresses the top three pros and cons for open relationships and how an open relationship therapy perspective and help here.
How Do You Define Open Relationship?
One thing I have learned in being in the open relationship lifestyle and offering open relationship therapy insights in my coaching practice is that there is no one way to describe the term “open relationship.” This can be comforting to some and discomforting to others. The way I see it, people get to create and recreate whatever kind of relationship they are in, including open relationships. I see my work as a coach who specializes in an open relationship therapy approach as a way to empower people to take the reigns in how they want to be in a relationship with themselves and with others in ways that support everyone, without relying so much on societal norms.
For more information how I use an open relationship therapy approach to help define open relationships, click here.
What Makes Open Relationships Work?
An Open Relationship Therapy Perspective.
In my experience of being in an open relationship and using an open relationship therapy approach in my coaching practice, I have come to believe that the practice of being in an open relationship is an ongoing evolution. Ethical non-monogamy is an evolution of self, an evolution of a relationship, and an evolution of how individuals show up in any kind relationship with each other. As we venture out of monogamy and into open relationships and other forms of ethical non-monogamy, we find ourselves confronted with all kinds of things, positive and negative. New experiences on the outside (relationships, dating, life events) breed new experiences on the inside (thoughts, feelings, stories, etc). The best preparation for anyone who is interested in ethical non-monogamy and open relationships is to know themselves. This is a key aspect of my work as a professional coach using an open relationship therapist approach. When we know who we are, we begin to see what makes us happy. We are more in tune with what we want and we make choices that serve our highest intentions.
For a more in-depth open relationship therapy perspective on how to be successful in practicing ethical non-monogamy, click here.
The Difference Between Open Relationship, Polyamory, And Swinging
I don’t think there is one solid way to define the terms open relationship, polyamory, and ethical non-monogamy. By nature these non-traditional ways of relationship are unique. What works for some may not work for others. One thing I really enjoy about being in an open relationship is that I get to create and recreate what it means to me and what it means for the people with whom I choose to be in a relationship. In using an open relationship therapy approach, I encourage my clients to put their energy towards what makes these kinds of relationships work rather than trying to come up with a label to describe it.
For more information, check out my full post dedicated to “The Difference Between Open Relationships, Polyamory, And Swinging.”
Need Help? Feel free to book a coaching session now.
Clients Experience Breakthroughs In Open Relationship Therapy Sessions
As an open relationship coach that provided open relationship therapy perspectives in my practice, I continuously witness deep growth and personal transformation in the lives of the people who choose to hire me. Although the success stories differ in content, what many have in common is this:
- Open relationship therapy and coaching sessions create a space for clients to better understand and support each other and their desires with more connection and less conflict.
- With improved communication skills, open relationship therapy clients experience more intimacy and depth in their relationship and they feel more confident as they continue exploring the open relationship lifestyle.
- In open relationship therapy sessions, clients become more practiced in recognizing their feelings, identifying their needs and asking for support. This creates more ease in themselves and in their relationship.
Read more in the complete post entitled “Clients Experience Breakthroughs In Sessions.”
It’s Okay To Have Feelings In The Lifestyle
People often struggle with the feelings they experience as they become involved in an open relationship. One of the main areas of my work using an open relationship therapy approach is to help clients learn that it’s okay to have feelings. Feelings are a natural part of being human. The best thing we can do is to learn from our emotions rather than judge them. This can be hard to do. The majority of us were not brought up to be okay with our feelings. Many of us learned to repress our feelings for fear of being ridiculed if we expressed them. Over time this once protective mechanism can create problems in intimate relationships. By learning how to experience our feelings and express the underlying needs, we begin to see how feelings have something to teach us. This shifting of perspective can be really helpful for those who are interested in creating healthy and sustainable open relationships.
Read more about how I address feelings using an open relationship therapy approach here.
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