Recorded from a live presentation on September 26, 2020

Course description

Millennial clients are more open to, and accepting of, consensual non-monogamy than any other previous generation. These same millennials grew up embracing the idea of seeking therapy to navigate setting up healthy boundaries in their relationships. As more couples consider whether an open relationship, or even polyamory, is right for them, they are often met with therapists who have biases about non-monogamous relationships, but little information or training in the area. 

This course seeks to help introduce clinicians to the many ethical non-monogamy options their clients may be considering. This course will help clinicians to better understand and support these clients making in the best choices for their relationships. This course will also help clinicians to manage their own potential discomfort, and reconnect with the goal of allowing clients to make their own decisions about what is best for their own lives.

1 Hour CE. Recorded Video Format (non-interactive)

This course was initially presented at the 2020 Therapy Reimagined conference in Los Angeles. For information on past and future Therapy Reimagined events, visit therapyreimagined.com.

Learning objectives

By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

  • Differentiate at least three forms of ethical non-monogamy

  • Define at least four key terms clients may introduce in session related to relationship structures and boundaries

  • Describe at least two ways in which a therapist’s attitude about a client’s relationship choices can impact the therapeutic process

  • Apply at least three tools for helping clients set healthy rules and boundaries in their relationships

Course outline

1. Ethical non-monogamy 

a. Definition

b. Types of relationships

c. Key terms

d. Motivating factors

2. Therapy issues for polyamorous clients

a. Creating a supportive and non-judgmental environment

b. Tools for setting healthy boundaries in non-monogamous relationships

3. Rules, agreements, and boundaries

4. Common traps for poly clients

5. Tips and additional resources

References

Instructor

Dana McNeil, MA, LMFT

Dana McNeil is a California Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (#99008) and certified Gottman Method therapist. She is founder and owner of The Relationship Place, a group therapy practice specializing in couple therapy. She serves as a relationship expert on the Cox Communications television show "I Do."

Additional Information

Format and Length:

Recorded video format (non-interactive). Total running time 60 minutes.

Topic Area:

Clinical Practice

Instructional Level:

Intermediate

Completion Requirements:

To obtain your CE certificate, you must progress through all course segments, complete a satisfaction survey, and obtain a score of 80% or higher on a course completion quiz. Learners are expected to complete the quiz within a reasonable number of attempts, and may be blocked from completing the course and receiving their certificate if unable to do so.

Completion Quiz and Course Evaluation:

After watching course videos, the course completion quiz will be available to complete, followed by the course evaluation.

Who Should Attend:

Psychologists, counselors, masters or doctoral level clinical social workers, and marriage and family therapists.

Publication and Review Dates:

Course Published: December 8, 2020 

Financial Support Statement:

SimplePractice pays course providers. This course was initially presented at the Therapy Reimagined 2020 conference. There is no other financial support for this course.

Conflict of Interest Statement:

There is no potential conflict of interest or outside commercial support for this course.

Refund Policy:

Click here to see our policies on attendance, refunds, grievances, and accessibility, and other frequently asked questions. Click here to contact us or submit a grievance.

Contact Information:

For any inquiries related to subject matter guidance, correction, grading, comments, or problem resolution please contact us.

System Requirements:

Please ensure your device meets our system requirements.

Continuing Education Approvals:

SimplePractice is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. SimplePractice maintains responsibility for this program and its content. This course provides 1 hour of continuing education (1 CE credit) for psychologists.

SimplePractice has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6961. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. SimplePractice is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

SimplePractice has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6961. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. SimplePractice is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

SimplePractice, #1749, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. Simple Practice maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period: 07/06/2021 – 07/06/2024. Social workers participating in this course will receive 1 continuing education credit in the Clinical topic area.

SimplePractice is approved by the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists to sponsor continuing education for LMFTs, LPCCs, LCSWs, and LEPs (CAMFT CEPA provider #145276). SimplePractice maintains responsibility for this program and its content. This course meets the qualifications for 1 hour of continuing education credit for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and/or LEPs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences.

SimplePractice is approved as a Rule/Statute Approved Provider of Continuing Education by the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy, and Mental Health Counseling. Note that we do not automatically report CE completion to CE Broker at this time, so certificates of completion must be manually uploaded. Click here for more information.

SimplePractice LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0582.

SimplePractice LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists #MFT-0091.

SimplePractice LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors #MHC-0206.

This course is not part of our continuing education program approved through NAADAC. Click here to view our complete CE approval information, or check out our collection of NAADAC approved courses.