14 Non-monogamy

Chapter 14: Non-monogamy 

There are three further pieces of literature which are very helpful specifically regarding practice with openly non-monogamous clients:

Labriola, K. (2010). Love in abundance: A counselor’s advice on open relationships. California, CA: Greenery Press.

Weitzman, G. (2009-2010). What psychology professionals should know about polyamory. National Coalition for Sexual Freedom. Available from: http://ego.thechicagoschool.edu/s/843/images/editor_documents/What%20therapists%20should%20know%20about%20Polyamory.pdf

Weitzman, G. (2006). Therapy with clients who are bisexual and polyamorous. In R. C. Fox (Ed.) Affirmative psychotherapy with bisexual men and bisexual women. Binghampton, NY: Harrington Park Press.

It would also be useful to read some of the key literature aimed at openly non-monogamous people themselves, as these include useful overviews of common issues, different ways of doing it, things that people often ‘get wrong’, and useful ways of managing it:

Easton, D. & Hardy, J. (2009), The Ethical Slut. California, CA: Greenery Press.

Taormino, T. (2008). Opening up: A guide to creating and sustaining open relationships. San Francisco, CA: Cleis Press, Inc.

The following reviews of the research are helpful if you want more detail:

Barker, M. & Langdridge, D. (Eds.) (2010). Understanding non-monogamies. New York, NY: Routledge.

Barker, M. & Langdridge, D. (2010). Whatever happened to non-monogamies? Critical reflections on recent research and theory. Sexualities, 13 (6), 748-772.

Bonello, K. (2009). Gay monogamy and extra-dyadic sex: a critical review of the theoretical and empirical literature. Counselling Psychology Review, 24 (3 & 4), 51-65.

There are also many, many helpful website on these topics, many of which list other key resources. Here are just a few:

• http://www.practicalpolyamory.com
• http://www.resourcewoman.org/polyamory
• http://www.polyamory.org.uk
• bi.org/uk-poly/polyuk.html
• http://www.faqs.org/faqs/polyamory/faq

The poly-friendly professionals websites can be found on:

• http://www.polychromatic.com/pfp/main.php
• http://www.lovingmorenonprofit.org/polyprofessional.php