Polyamorous Relationship Therapy
LGBTQ+ Therapy In person in Los Angeles and Online throughout California
Do you feel overwhelmed navigating your open, poly, or ENM relationship?
Are you struggling with mixed emotions about your relationship?
Do you have trouble expressing your needs to your partner(s)?
Have feelings of jealousy been brewing under the surface of your relationship?
Maybe you wish you felt happy for your partner(s) when they’re with someone else. Part of you feels excited about your partner(s) bonding with others, while a part of you feels jealous–and perhaps you’re struggling to manage that jealousy. You want to make your polyamorous relationship work, but you’re not sure how. As a result, you may be thinking of getting extra support.
Do you feel lost when it comes to naming and sharing your needs with partners?
You know you have emotional and physical desires and needs, but deep down, maybe you don’t know how to talk about them. You might feel alone even when you are with a partner and unsure of how to communicate what you want.
On the other hand, perhaps there’s been a shift in your relationship structure. A new partner may have led to conflict or feelings of disconnection in your relationship. You might find yourself picking fights with your partner and losing the strong connection you once had.
Navigating a poly, open, or ethically non-monogamous relationship isn’t easy, but with the right help and support, it can be done successfully. At Open Space Therapy Collective, we have therapists who specialize in working with polyamorous couples. Whether you come by yourself or with your partner(s), we are confident that we can help you reduce feelings of jealousy and improve trust and communication in your relationship.
Open Relationships Need Open Communication
Communication problems are generally the number one challenge in any relationship. All too often, we expect our partner(s) to share the same values, desires, and attachment styles as us, so we don’t communicate how we really feel. Then, when differences emerge and it turns out our partner approaches relationships differently, conflict usually arises.
When you and your partner(s) learn to communicate your differences proactively, you can ward off conflict before it even begins. This is especially vital in polyamorous relationships, since there are often many complicated emotions to wade through. In an open relationship, it’s common for jealousy to get between partners and prevent them from connecting in a healthy way. What’s more, it’s also common for partners to feel ashamed or embarrassed about their jealousy. They might brush it under the rug entirely.
Yet for a relationship to grow, communication is not just important, but essential. In polyamorous counseling, you have a chance to hone your communication skills and breathe new life into your relationship as a result.
Polyamory therapy can help you strengthen communication and reinforce connection
When relationship dynamics shift, our connections start to feel unsteady. Without knowing it, our own stress or anxiety can impact the way we communicate with those we love, resulting in them feeling confused and frustrated. Counseling attuned to polyamory can help you and your partner(s) grow together instead of apart, communicate directly the things that are going unsaid, and process the emotions that are present. This enables you to grow through change together and navigate the shifting patterns of your relationship with ease.
OSTC is an LGBTQ+ therapy collective, so you can rest assured that your therapist will respect and honor you for who you are. Along with thorough training and experiencing working with polyamorous couples, your therapist will be a member or ally of the LGBTQ+ community, a dedicated anti-racist, and someone who’s deeply accepting of queer and non-traditional relationships.
LGBTQ+ Therapy In person in Los Angeles and Online throughout California for:
Polycules
QPOC
Non-monogamous Relationships
Kink & Alternative Lifestyles
What to expect from polyamory therapy
You are welcome to attend sessions by yourself or with your partner(s), as we offer couples therapy, individual relationship counseling, and therapy for all partners in your polycule. We tailor our approach to suit the unique needs of every person and every couple or polycule we see, since there is no one-size-fits-all approach to polyamory therapy.
In sessions with your polyamory-friendly therapist, they will help you unpack the assumptions and beliefs that you bring to your relationship and take a closer look at the cycles you and your partner(s) find yourselves in. You’ll work together on learning to stay grounded during challenging times and turn toward one another for support. By letting go of old patterns that interfere with the growth of your relationship, you’ll create a new story together.
Additionally, therapy can help you learn to identify your wants and needs, parse through difficult feelings, and share your authenticity with your partner(s). We will help you develop your relationship toolbox so that you can get through challenges and conflict peacefully. You will gain clarity on what you really want and have a space to practice talking about your needs in healthy ways.
Polyamorous relationship therapy can also help you look at your past relationships and the patterns you’ve developed to see what feels nourishing and what is harmful. Your therapist can help you integrate healthy ways to have relationships and experiences with other people. Don’t waste any more time waiting for things to get better. It’s time to build the relationship you’ve dreamed of and become teammates instead of opponents!
You may have some questions about polyamory therapy…
I’ve read all the poly books. What can a therapist do?
Perhaps you’ve read lots of books and articles and listened to podcasts, so you feel like a poly expert! But while it can be super helpful to read up on poly topics, that doesn’t always translate to action. A therapist can help you spot where you and your partner(s) are missing one another and gently guide your relationship back on track. What’s more, a book or a podcast can’t give you solutions that are tailored specifically to your life—a therapist can.
What if I am just not cut out for polyamory?
In a mono-normative society, we get why you might be asking this question! Especially if you are new to polyamory, it can feel really difficult to navigate a new relationship structure. Your OSTC therapist is ready to offer you nuanced couples therapy regardless of how long you’ve been exploring different relationship structures, whether you are a couple new to polyamory or have been living poly for years. They will collaborate with you and your partner(s) to understand what is working for you and what isn’t, enabling you to feel confident in yourself and relationship style!
We’ve been struggling for a long time, is it too late to heal?
If you’ve been trying to manage relationship strain or heal a relationship wound for a long time, you might be struggling to find hope that things can change. Therapy can be the first step toward rekindling that sense of hope and connection you’re longing for in your relationship. Whether the problems your relationship is facing are current or in the past, your polyamory friendly therapist is ready to help you overcome them.
Rediscover Your Connection
If you’re ready to take a step toward reconnecting with your partner(s), schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation with one or a few of our polyamory friendly therapists to find the best fit.
OSTC offers in-person and virtual couples & relationship counseling for poly partners in California. If you are located in Los Angeles, our office is conveniently in the Silver Lake neighborhood. If you are outside of the Los Angeles area (or you want to skip the commute!), we offer telehealth sessions for residents of California.
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Are you ready to schedule or have any questions? Send us a message
In-person and virtual couples & relationship counseling for ENM Partners in California.
If you are located in Los Angeles, our office are conveniently in the Silver Lake neighborhood.
If you are outside of the Los Angeles area, or just don’t want to drive. We offer telehealth sessions through out California.
OSTC is a LGBTQ+ therapy collective, where you never need to educate your therapist on who you are.