CNM Workshop- 6/21/24

Service Description

The number of relational therapy clients practicing consensual non-monogamy (CNM) is increasing. Therefore, it is essential for relational therapists to increase their knowledge and understanding of CNM, as well as examine personal biases that may create challenges to providing affirming, inclusive, and ethical care when working with these clients. The purpose of this presentation is to increase general understanding of what consensual non-monogamy is (including common terms and language), as well as to provide relational therapists with tips and strategies for practicing more inclusive and affirming care when working with CNM clients. One important factor to provide ethical care is to examine personal beliefs and biases, which can negatively impact practice and the therapeutic relationship. Dr. Burns will discuss mono-normativity and mono-normative bias, which stem from dominant discourses about relationships. Using research results from her dissertation on this topic, Dr. Burns will demonstrate how mono-normative bias can show up in relational therapy and how this can be harmful to ethical therapy and the therapeutic relationship. Using both research and clinical experience, Dr. Burns will provide some quick tips and strategies for providing more inclusive and affirming care when working with CNM clients. Some of these strategies will pull from existing models or theories and others will be new ideas uniquely rooted in CNM culture and thinking. At the end of this workshop, you will have a greater understanding of what CNM is and what mono-normative bias is and why it is dangerous. You will also experience the reframing of relationships in a more CNM-inclusive lens, which in turn will provide you with affirming strategies for working with CNM clients. Dr. Burns will also provide additional resources and connect you with other means of support and methods of learning more about working with CNM clients.