1. Competency Among Therapist When Working with Sexual Diversity
Authors: Carver, Dasha, B.A. & Heiden-Rootes, Katie, Ph.D., LMFT
MOAMFT 2017 Annual Conference

2. Learning Objectives
Discuss the role of how research, theory and the therapist competency affects the clients openness and willingness to engage in therapy
Identify different definitions of sexual diversity groups
Utilize practical clinical skills for assessing and evaluating the interaction between self-of–the therapist value commitments, client sexual behavior and definition of problem
Participate in Interaction Scenarios of Therapy

3. Defining Consensual Non-Monogamy & Cross-Cultural Lens
Polygyny vs. Polygamy
Swinging vs. Open Relationships
Polyamorous
Polyandry: Cultural Case Example of Dr. Kimber McKay
consensual non-monogamy
Polyamory
Open -Relationships
Show video of My Five Wives after Polygyny vs. Polygamy (
Swinging
Polygamy
Polyandry
Polygyny

4. What are the Rules, Differences & Relationship Structures?
Agreed Upon Rules for Non- Monogamous Couples (Polyamorous, Swinging, and Open partners)

5. Therapist Competency & Impact on LGBTQIA
What we know from the research on Affirming Behaviors
How have we address competency
Correlation to Consensual Non- Monogamy
Katie’s Slide

6. Gender & Sexual Orientation Bias:
Therapist Judgement of Non-Monogamous Sexual Partnering 01
Data only on LGB, Swinging, and Open Relationships 02
2016 National Representative surveys found:
1 in 5 people engage in CNM 03
Heteronormative stigma both in and out of therapy:
A Legal Case example 04
Katie does #1 on Gender and Sexual Orientation Bias and #2 How current data only focuses on LGB, Swinging and Open Relationships which excludes heterosexual polyamorous couples and thus leaves clinicians unsure of how to navigate this relationship in the therapy room
4 – show video BEFORE ( – Polyamorous Parents 2 Women, 1 Man
Research on Non-Monogamous Couples, Mental Health Professionals and Society

7. How Does This Impact Therapy?
Poly-Friendly language (e.g. Intake Forms)
Poly-Problems in Therapy
Know Thy Self-of-the-Therapist
Development of the Consensual Non- Monogamous Attitudes Scale (CNAS)
Seek & Find
Katie – Poly Friendly Language and Don’t Look for the Childhood Story
Poly-Problems in Therapy ( – 1 Mom, 2 Husbands)

8. Clinicians & Researchers to Know
Missouri Poly-Friendly Therapist: Angela Skurtu, LMFT (St. Louis), Bob Prue, Ph.D. (Kansas City) and Timothy Gordon, Ph.D. (Jefferson City)
Terri Conley, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Psychology at University of Michigan
Ali Ziegler, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Psychology at University of Alaska Southeastern
Amy Moors, Ph.D. Director of Social Science Research & Evaluation at Purdue University

9. Mock Therapy & Small Group Activities
The Insecurity Problem (Mock Therapy)
The Sexual Intimacy Problem (Team A)
Parenting in a Non-Polyamorous World (Team B)
Questions for Non-Monogamous Couples:
Do you have the emotional and physical energy to invest in an additional partner?
How will you continue to stay connected to your original partner?
How will jealousy be discussed?
How are decisions made

10. References, & Questions
Barker, M. (2011). Monogamies and non-monogamies: A response to “The challenge of monogamy: bringing it out of the closet and into the treatment room”. Sexuality & Relationship Therapy, 26 (3),
Cohen, M.T. & Wilson, K. (2016). Development of the consensual non-monogamy attitude scale (CNAS). Sexuality & Culture
Emens, E.F. (2003). Monogamy’s law: Compulsory monogamy and polyamorous existence. The Law School University of Chicago
Heiden-Rootes, K.M., Brimhall, A., Jankowski, P.J. & Reddick, G. (in press). Differentiation of self and clinician’s perceptions of client sexual behavior as “problematic”. Contemporary Family Therapy
Johnson, A.L. (2013). Counseling the polyamorous client: Implications for competent practice. American Counseling Association
Matsick, J.L., Conley, T.D., Ziegler, A., Moors, A.C. & Rubin, J.D. (2014). Love and sex: polyamorous relationships are perceived more favorably than swinging and open relationships. Psychology & Sexuality, 5(4),
McCrosky, Rachel (2015). Experiences of stigma during sexual healthcare visits: A qualitative study of non-monogamous women. Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 1150
Moors, A.C., Matsick, J.L., Ziegler, A., Rubin, J.D. & Conley, T.D. (2013). Stigma toward individuals engaged in consensual nonmongamy: Robust and Worthy of additional research. Analyses of Social Issues and Public Policy, 13 (1), 52-69
Schechinger, H.A. (2015). Toward guidelines for psychological practice with consensually non-monogamous clients: Results from a mixed-method analysis of therapy practice and outcomes. A Dissertation Study
For Presentation Contact: Dasha Carver at