Therapy for Ethical Non-Monogamy ENM in Madison, WI

Ethical non-monogamy (ENM) is a type of relationship that is characterized by all the involved participants consenting to sexual or romantic relationships with more than one person. This includes but is not limited to:

• Open relationships/marriages - partners of a dyadic relationship agree that each may engage in sexual and/or romantic relationships outside of the relationship, without this being regarded by them as infidelity.
• Swinging - couples engaging in sexual activity with other couples, individuals or groups.
• Polyamory - individuals practicing polyamory engage in multiple romantic and/or sexual relationships simultaneously with all participants consenting to and aware of the relationship structure.

Creating a Relationship Structure That Works for You

While there are definitions for the above types of ENM, the clinicians at Equilibrium Psychotherapy encourage you and your partner/s to come up with a relationship structure and agreement that works for YOU - take what you like and leave behind what you don't. Just like all relationships, it is useful to continually check-in about what is working and what is not. Therapy is an excellent place to take a look at what you really need from a relationship emotionally and sexually and to share these needs with your partner/s.

Using Therapy to Strengthen ENM Relationships

In therapy, you and or your partner/s can work through concerns surrounding jealousy, breaches in trust, break-ups, communication, and navigating bias from people or entities in your life. Or maybe, you want to see if ENM is right for you and/or an existing monogamous partner. Whether you have been practicing ENM for years or want to get started today, we will work to identify and understand any unmet needs, unanswered questions and/or unhealed wounds. The insight gained through this process will inform how we go about moving forward and deepening the relationship between you and your partner/s.

Navigating Life Stressors with an ENM-Inclusive Therapist

Often though, folks that practice ENM come to therapy to overcome challenges that show up in other aspects of their life - like career stress, grief, depression, or anxiety. You don’t want to have to spend time in therapy educating about, justifying, or in the worst case, facing bias against ENM. Having a therapist who is already knowledgeable and non-judgemental about the structure of your relationship removes this obstacle and allows you to begin working on what really matters.