Did you manage to get a ticket for one of our Kink on Pink webinars earlier in the year? Two months of cutting edge seminars to enhance your professional development. We're back this Autumn and turning our focus to relationships that lie outside of monogamy. There are many forms of Consensual Non-Monogamy, and increasingly people are looking to make relationship agreements unique to them. How do we as therapists help them do this or if they get stuck work with some of the particular challenges that can occur? These webinars are a great place to share experiences and learn with others. All therapists, trainee and qualified, of all genders, sexualities and relationship histories welcome!
We have four standalone webinars for you. They're programmed for a Saturday from 5 pm to 7 pm UK time to allow our colleagues in the USA to join us. Attend one or all, but book your place soon as space IS limited. They will take place on Zoom (the link will be sent out a week before). Attendance certificates will be sent after the event.
07 November 2020 CNM / ENM 101 (consensual non-monogamy / ethical non-monogamy)
We will begin by sketching out the landscape of many and varied forms of non-monogamy, such as poly, relationship anarchy (RA), open relationships etc. We'll explore how to navigate this diversity of relationship structure within the therapeutic setting. What particular challenges might out client/s want to work through? How might a couple negotiate boundaries in order to open up their relationship? What might be some common pitfalls, doubts, fears or struggles faced within CNM? Finally, we'll discuss how our own position or feelings around CNM, can and does impact how we work with CNM clients.
DK Green is an experienced, busy, private-practice psychotherapist, working within the GSRD (Gender, Sex, Relationship Diversity) communities. He has presented on many GSRD topics at multiple events since the 1990s. Relevant to this series of teaching events: topics he has taught at Polyday (UK National Annual CNM event since 2004) include Polyamory 101, Poly and parenting, and Poly and Mental Health. www.dkgreen.com
14 November 2020 What's love got to do with it?
This workshop will be split into two parts. In part one, we will look at monoshaming, the process by which monogamous partners are sometimes pressured into considering non-monogamy, the boundaries of consent in this context, and limitations of an affirmative stance. Having worked with several clients in this situation, Kaz will explore the impact, and how to unpack our attitudes towards monogamy and consensual non-monogamy.
The second half of the workshop will explore the branches of CNM which usually come under the heading of Swinging; What is swinging, how does it differ from polyamory, hotwife, and other forms of CNM, what myths do we need to leave behind, and is it a monogamous emotional relationship with non-monogamous sexual relationships? We will also consider issues for therapists who are also swingers, or interested in exploring the identity/lifestyle.
Linking back to part one, we will explore what happens when swinging leads to an interest in emotional non-monogamous bonding. Attendees will learn about the most common, but also a most stigmatised form of consensual non-monogamy in the UK today.
Kaz Pollock is an experienced therapist, with specialist training in working with gender, sexuality and relationship diversities. They have presented on GSRD issues to the BPS, NHS, NEAS, and many universities. They are in private practice in Northumberland and Online. https://counsellinginnorthumberland.com
21 November 2020 Attachment and Systemic Dynamics in Consensual Non-Monogamy
A significant minority of adults engage in various types of consensually non-monogamous relationships, but many psychotherapists struggle to adapt monogamously-oriented theories and interventions to address these often complex relationship dynamics. This training will frame various types of common non-monogamous relationship patterns and difficulties through the lenses of relational attachment and systems theories, with a particular focus on polyamorous relationships. Emphasis will be placed on how these approaches can be used to help non-monogamous clients resolve challenging communication patterns, as well as issues related to non-monogamy structures, boundaries, and agreements.
Ryan G. Witherspoon, PhD is a California-based licensed clinical psychologist (PSY 32022), as well as a researcher, author, and speaker. Dr Witherspoon regularly publishes peer-reviewed research on non-traditional relationships and sexualities, such as consensual non-monogamy and BDSM/kink, and frequently trains mental health clinicians in sex-positive approaches to working with these populations. Learn more about Dr Witherspoon’s work at www.RyanWitherspoon.com.
28 November 2020 Power-Exchange and CNM
Working with the Intersection between CNM and Power Exchange Relationships. I will start with a discussion of hierarchy and the current view in the more general CNM world. We will then look at the different ways power exchange relationships can impact with CNM and cover the challenges for each. We will look at where agency lies in each situation. I will highlight strategies for working within the hierarchical relationship(s) and working outside them. Finally, I will look at the therapist’s biases when dealing with these complex relationships.
Lori Beth Bisbey PhD is a psychologist, sex & intimacy coach who has been working with people for the past 30+ years to help them create & maintain meaningful relationships. She has a speciality in GSRD (gender, sex, & relationship diversity) and the treatment of trauma. Dr Bisbey is co-chair of the LGBTQ Intersection committee of the CNM Task Force, part of Division 44 of the American Psychological Association. Website: http://drloribethbisbey.com