Being in a consensual non-monogamous relationship is not always as easy as everyone makes it out to be. Many couples find a great sense of joy and connection in polyamory and non-monogamy. However, as partners get closer together, conflicts and arguments may arise. Wisdom Within Counseling specializes in non-monogamous relationship counseling in Orlando, Florida.
To begin, click for a phone consult for poly and non monogamous relationship counseling in Orlando, Florida.
Depending on what type of consensual non-monogamous relationship you are looking for, you might be having sex with other people. A non-monogamous relationship can have its ups and downs just like a monogamous one.
All people in a non-monogamous relationship needs to always have consent for romantic, sexual, and emotional boundaries.
Counseling at Wisdom Within can be very helpful when you are in an ethically non-monogamous relationship or in a polyamorous relationship. The first step to opening your relationship and taking part in polyamory is consent. Talking about the boundaries that you want and need are important parts of consent.
Ethical non-monogamous relationships can be very successful when they are built on a foundation of consent.
Consent can include talking about having more than one sexual partner at a time or having different casual partners. Polyamory and consensual non-monogamy are all forms of having an open relationship.
Open relationships can be very healing, connecting, and supportive.
However, issues and arguments can arise for poly couples related to cheating or breaking the boundaries of consent. If you have acted without the consent of your partner, it might feel like a betrayal to your partner. Betrayal trauma is one of the specialities at Wisdom Within Counseling.
To begin, click for a phone consult for poly and non monogamous relationship counseling in Orlando, Florida.
If you or your partner are yelling, calling each other derogatory names, or feeling angry or aggressive, polyamory couples therapy can help.
In couples counseling, you can talk about forgiveness, remorse, how to repair after a conflict, and intellectual intimacy.
Building emotional and intellectual intimacy are important parts of having a healthy polyamorous relationship.
If you feel like your partner is highly critical or tries to humiliate you, working with a non-monogamous couples therapist can help you change the dynamics of your relationship. At times, anger can get the best of anyone. However, being with an angry person does not make a relationship fun or safe. So, non-monogamous relationship counseling in Orlando, Florida supports communicating needs in calm, loving ways.
How else can polyamory and non-monogamous relationship counseling in Orlando Florida help?
You can gain a sense of meaningful connection and clarity for an even better relationship. Through ethical non-monogamous couples counseling, you can talk about what you are feeling yourself, while creating a meaningful bond.
Learning to improve communication skills is an important part of having a happy and healthy ethical non-monogamous relationship.
When we look at polyamory, the dynamics are different for each person.
This is why communication skills in an open or poly relationship are so important. From the beginning agreement, to negotiating boundaries, therapy that is polyamory affirming can help you improve communication. You’ll need healthy, calm communication skills to talk about your romantic needs as well as sexual needs.
Gaining good communication skills from non-monogamous couples therapy can help you grow together for your lifetime too.
Any sort of anger, frustration, jealousy, or anxiety can make talking about sex and romance or conflictual.
As well, communication skills from ethical non-monogamy is counseling sessions can help you understand expectations.
Sexual needs, sexual desire, orgasming, painful sex, erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, and sexual pleasure are all great topics to bring into non-monogamous marriage therapy.
Couples in open relationships may experience a variety of sexual challenges as the relationship opens.
If you partner is having a sexual issue, it can lead you to feel concerned or insecure. Talking about these feelings and sexual issues in couples therapy can be healing. It may feel like you can’t talk about sexual dysfunction issues like erectile dysfunction or premature ejaculation with friends or family. And, friends and family are not education in sex therapy either. The team at Wisdom Within Counseling love support couples through sexual issues and gaining sexual pleasure.
If you are having pain during sexual intercourse or you want to orgasm, but just simply don’t know how, the team at Wisdom Within Counseling can help.
We provide a safe place to talk about BDSM, kinks, orgasming, orgasmic disorders, painful vaginal intercourse, and foreplay. Talking about sexual issues and sexual pleasure can be a healthy part of marriage counseling.
Overall, improve and communication skills from working with a polyamorous friendly counselor at Wisdom Within Counseling can help you feel closer and build a more meaningful relationship.
To begin, click for a phone consult for poly and non monogamous relationship counseling in Orlando, Florida.
If you are yelling, fighting, or getting into tense conflicts, working with an ethically non-monogamous couples therapist at Wisdom Within Counseling can help your relationship improve.
Another component to having a healthy and happy ethically non-monogamous relationship is honesty. Honesty and communication go hand-in-hand.
It’s important that you and your partners talk about what your needs are and your feelings are in counseling.
Learning to be an active listener and utilize empathy skills will help improve the connection and all of your relationships. If your partner comes to you with an insecurity, learning to have honest communication will help this conversation go more smoothly.
Non monogamous relationship counseling in Orlando, Florida can help with betrayal and honestly communicating
Honesty is important. If you found your partner lying or being dishonest, ethically non-monogamous couples counseling can help you both develop a more authentic relationship.
Understanding why someone is lying is an important part of changing that behavior to be more positive. Working with a team of therapists at Wisdom Within Counseling can help you and your partners understand why lying has occurred. We can help you learn how to communicate more openly and build a loving relationship.
To begin, click below for a phone consult for non-monogamous and open relationship couples therapy in Orlando, Florida.
Another component of having a healthy ethical non-monogamous relationship is understanding the hierarchy of partners.
One partner might be a primary partner. As well, you may have a nesting partner that is also a primary partner. This is a person that you live with, share finances with, and maybe even have children with. In addition, you may have one or multiple casual partners.
These may not be life partners, but more partners for a season. You may or may not choose to have sexual activities with these partners. However, many people in polyamorous relationships enjoy the variety of sexual activities that go along with ethical non-monogamy.
In addition, some people consider all of their partners, platonic, and sexual, equal.
Polyamory is different for all.
Sometimes, couples take part in an exclusive relationship with another couple. Other times, a couple dates individuals separately. It can look different for everyone who partakes in an open relationship.
What is polyfidelity when it comes to an open relationship and counseling?
Some people might have a group where all the people are dating each other, which is sometimes known as a poly quad, or a triad. Often, all people are romantically and sexually involved with each other. Polyfidelity is a common term when it comes to open relationships. Also, polyfidelity in a relationship means all members are equal partners in the relationship. With polyfidelity, no one has sex with or dates people outside the group. Some people are exclusive as a polyamorous quad, and sometimes the relationship is more open.
How does attachment trauma play into polyamory and non-monogamous relationship counseling in Orlando, Florida?
Attachment trauma can arise in open relationships that therapy can help process. As people get into intimate, romantic relationships, fears and anxieties can arise. When one partner takes space in a conflict, this can trigger an abandonment fear from childhood trauma. For instance, as a child, you may have wanted nurturing, or protection. However, if a romantic partner is in distress, it can trigger early childhood traumas and memories.
So, couples therapy in Orlando, Florida can help you and your partners talk about trauma such as having a parent who was unresponsive or highly critical.
To begin, click below for a phone consult for non-monogamous and open relationship couples therapy in Orlando, Florida.
What is swinging?
Swinging is also a form of an open relationship. With swinging, couples may goto a swinging party and take part in sexual activities with other couples.
Threesomes are parts of polyamory
A couple may bring in a third person in order to spice up their romantic life. Brining in a third person can be a threesome. A threesome is often a one-night-stand, but threesomes may develop into more regular bonding too. When the connection is right, some threesomes turn into poly triads over time.
Cuckolding is another form of an open relationship. With cuckolding, a couple brings in another male who has sex with the female partner, most commonly. The other partner watches.
Bondage play can be a reason some couples open their relationship
BDSM, kink, bondage, power play, and fetishes can be reasons couples open their relationship. One person in a relationship may not want to partake in BDSM, role play, or power play. So, an open relationship may allow the partner who is interested in BDSM and power play to have a BDSM play partner.
Wisdom Within Counseling specializes in polyamory and non-monogamous relationship counseling in Orlando, Florida.
Doing non-monogamous relationship counseling in Orlando, Florida can help you talk about different fears you have without opening a relationship.
As well, once you are sexually and romantically involved with multiple people in a non-monogamous way, you can talk about conflict, anger, anxiety, and the joy.
There are a variety of emotions like anxiety and jealousy associated with being in an ethically non-monogamous relationship.
Your ethically non-monogamous couples therapist in Orlando, Florida can help you talk about heartbreak, pain, loss, and the grief if one of your partners breaks up with you. Going through a break up with in the context of multiple relationships can be very sad. And, there can also be comfort with another romantic partners.
Therapy can help you cope with a break up within an ethically non-monogamous relationship
Heartbreak in a polyamorous relationship can lead to sleeping issues, low energy, digestion problems, and a lack of mind-body connection. Overall, heartbreak and loss of a romantic partner can be devastating. Gaining positive coping strategies from counseling in Orlando, Florida can support resiliency in a break up. Going through a break up can lead to self-esteem issues. You might feel depressed and sleep all day or over eat junk food. Instead of drinking alcohol at a bar or numbing out in another way, therapy can give you healthy coping tools. Coping with rejection can be a part of non-monogamous relationship counseling in Orlando, Florida.
It can be difficult when you don’t want the break up, but your ex does.
Looking at younger, childhood needs and nurturing yourself are keys of therapy. You can gain the connection you are missing and longing for from you ex from open relationship affirming therapy sessions. Therefore, talking with a polyamory affirming marriage therapist at Wisdom Within Counseling can support self-worth and self-confidence.
To begin, click for a phone consult for poly and non monogamous relationship counseling in Orlando, Florida.
You get a safe place to talk about jealousy, worry, doubt, and build your self-confidence.
Commonly, you might want to talk about new relationship energy, the joy of meeting someone new, and how it feels to be special with them. As well, you may have a partner that has been in your life longer, and you have big life decisions to make together such as getting married or having children.
Deepening an original connection with a primary or nesting partner can be a big part of ethically non-monogamous couples counseling.
There are many emotions from excitement to sadness to jealousy that can be a part of Orlando, Florida polyamory couples counseling.
At times childhood trauma, loss, and grief, can also be big parts of Orlando, Florida marriage counseling. Unresolved childhood trauma can lead to fears about entering into future relationships.
How does trauma from childhood and past romantic relationships play a role in conflicts for non-monogamous and poly couples?
Based on past relationships or in childhood, you may have felt not good enough. Maybe, your parents were alcoholics, angry, emotionally unavailable, or disregarded your emotions. Perhaps, you missed out on protection or nurturing from your parents growing up. These childhood wounds can play a role in conflicts and arguments with your rumple partners. In polyamory friendly couples therapy in Orlando, Florida, partners can share needs and create a new level of closeness. The safety you never received in childhood can be created through the process of marriage therapy.
Sharing vulnerability creates deeper connection in non-monogamous relationship counseling in Orlando, Florida
Self-understanding as well as emotional vulnerability can help couples in counseling bond more deeply.
At Wisdom Within Counseling, we teach couples how to turn towards one another rather than turning away. This means, you can better understand the bids for connection, rather than unconsciously reject your partner. Turning towards is an important couples skill to have a successful, positive relationship.
To begin, click below for a phone consult for polyamorous and non-monogamous relationship therapy in Orlando, Florida.
Overall, non-monogamous relationship therapy helps poly couples understand anger or anxiety triggers.
Each partner in a poly couple has different triggers that lead to wanting to pull away. As well, when one partner wants to talk about the problem right then and there, it can trigger another partner who needs more time to think and reflect.
At Wisdom Within Counseling, non-monogamous relationship counseling in Orlando, Florida supports understanding the impact of childhood trauma and how this influences current arguments.
Talking more about attachment trauma and romantic connection
If you had a parent who was unresponsive, inattentive, or belittled you, this creates an attachment trauma. If a romantic partner then criticizes you, this can re-trigger younger attachment trauma responses. You might pull away, get angry, or even get stuck in old ways of communicating. Some people lie, withhold information, or shutdown emotionally. Couples therapy in Orlando, Florida can help create a more positive attachment, and a secure attachment. For instance, from poly affirming marriage therapy, you can learn how to turn towards rather than turning away when you are triggered.
Conflicts arise when partners do not understand one another’s childhood trauma.
Let’s say that you had a parent who abandoned you in childhood. Now, in your romantic relationship, a betrayal occurs. A fight occurs and leaves you feeling anxious due to your attachment style. You continually pursue your partner, trying to fix the issue at hand. Fixing is not necessarily the best way to handle to conflict. And, couples counseling can help you understand the deeper issues rather than trying to fix the issue. Understanding is an essential skill in having a healthy, successful open and poly relationship.
To begin, click for a phone consult for poly and non monogamous relationship counseling in Orlando, Florida.
Fears and anxiety can lead to challenges and arguments in open relationships
When you or your partner are afraid of abandonment, this is not a productive state to be in. Poly couples may make impulsive decisions when in a fear state. Out of fear or anxiety, poly couples may act in angry or aggressive ways further damaging the relationship. Fear and anxiety states of mind can lead couples to fight and be more tense.
Therefore, in ethically non-monogamous marital counseling, understanding fears and worries can be a form of emotional intimacy. Learning to talk about deep fears and worries can be done safely and calmly at Wisdom Within Counseling.
Sharing and being vulnerable with your partners in non-monogamous marriage therapy sessions can lead to a closer, more meaningful relationship.
Many poly couples fight because they try to fix the problem, rather than trying to understand one another
You might want to talk it out, but your partner doesn’t want to communicate. This can cause an argument. If your partner has felt betrayed, being pursued can be overwhelming for them. Working in couples therapy can help you and your partner understand hurt, pain and trauma.
Your partner wanting space can hurt your feelings, and can lead to turning away. Instead of disconnecting after an argument, you and your multiple partners can learn to connect through couples therapy.
Non-monogamous relationship counseling in Orlando, Florida can help partners in poly relationships understand trauma responses and learn to connect.
Why is my partner pulling away from me?
Feelings like betrayal, anger, and loss all go hand in hand and can lead to avoidant behaviors. Avoidant behaviors are the opposite of positive connections. The team of therapists at Wisdom Within Counseling can help you and your partners overcome betrayal trauma.
You and your partner can learn ways to self-regulate and tolerate distress. Having positive communication in marriage therapy about the past and in the current relationship can be very healing and promote trust.
From understanding attachment trauma and childhood trauma, you and your partners can better resolve conflict.
Polyamory affirming couples therapy in Orlando, Florida supports deep and intimate connections. By talking about childhood trauma and unmet needs, you and your partners can begin understanding past trauma.
Counseling can be a place of inner peace, self reflection, and a safe place to overcome any fears you have about opening a relationship.
Growing up, you may have lived in a strict religious home, where monogamy was normal. So, now that you are opening a relationship and practicing ethical non-monogamy, you might need help overcoming any shame. You might feel guilty for keeping your multiple partners separate from your family life. Talking with a therapist about guilt and shame can help you gain confidence.
Taking part in a polyamorous lifestyle is nothing to be ashamed of.
Maybe, you fear that your family or strict religious friends may shame you fo for choosing ethical non-monogamy and polyamory. Many polyamorous couples can have happy, healthy relationships. There is not one single way a relationship should or shouldn’t be. However, you may need help navigating a polyamorous lifestyle around holidays or family obligations. Talking about how to overcome shame and guilt is an important part of Orlando, Florida polyamory affirming couples therapy.
At Wisdom Within Counseling, we specialize in couples who are looking to explore or who already partake in ethically non-monogamous relationships.
If you are in a polyamorous relationship or open relationship, we would love to give you a safe place to talk about the variety of feelings that come up. Wisdom Within Counseling supports couples in Florida and Connecticut who are interested in opening their relationship.
Non-monogamous relationship counseling in Orlando, Florida helps couples who may have opened their relationship, but are now experiencing intense emotions. Opening a relationship can trigger fears that you never knew were possible.
Anxiety, anger, loss, sadness, guilt, betrayal, and joy are all emotions that you can share. Working with your therapist can help you gain self-compassion and compassion for your multiple romantic partners as well.
Wisdom Within Counseling strives to support polyamorous, open relationship, and non-monogamous couples have a safe place to build a loving, stable relationship.
From working with the team of therapists at Wisdom Within Counseling, you can also learn better ways of coping when you feel triggered with anxiety or anger. As well, you can learn tools for communicating better, and building a healthy, safe relationship for all parties involved.
