title: Couples Exploring Nonmonogamy: Guidelines for Therapists.
abstract: A population that is potentially challenging for couple and family therapists to work with is that of couples who want to explore nonmonogamy. For many therapists, nonmonogamy challenges personal values and beliefs, and there is little in the literature to support therapists in achieving cultural competency in this area. Based on a review of Western clinical literature over the past 20 years and on the author's clinical experience, the author provides therapists with guidelines to use with couples who want to explore the possibility of becoming nonmonogamous. The guidelines include (a) educating oneself about nonmonogamy; (b) identifying one's own values and beliefs related to nonmonogamy;
authors.affiliation: a Center for Human Sexuality Studies , Widener University , Chester , PA , USA.
authors.forename: Adrienne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bairstow
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence; D019546:Couples Therapy / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005114:Extramarital Relations / Q000523:psychology*; D005196:Family Therapy / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology