Table for More than Two: How to Manage Consensual Non-monogamy in Couple Sex Therapy (Part 1 & 2)
1h 17m
Francesca Tripodi
Psychotherapist & Sexologist
Trailer
Content and Aim:
Most of us desire (and have) a “one and only”—that one person who “completes” us in every way. Humans tend to be serial monogamists, entering one sexually and romantically exclusive relationship after another. However, in consensual non-monogamous relationships, people can have several “one and only” or at least more than one sexual partner—and it is not considered cheating. The umbrella term of “consensual non-monogamy” (CNM) covers everything from the casual sex of swingers to the loving, long-term relationships of polyamorists. If it involves more than two people, sex or love, and everyone has consented, then it’s CNM. These relationships are more common than we likely think. Research shows that around 5% of adults are involved in this type of arrangement at any given time, and about one in five has engaged in some form of consensual non-monogamy in their lifetime. These relationships are also more regular than we probably imagine. Unflattering stereotypes of polyamorists as damaged, dysfunctional, or secretly coerced by pushy partners are all belied by research.
Monogamy and non-monogamy may be similar in terms of outcomes and people’s demographics. However, it’s still true that CNM relationships tend to have unique habits that many clinicians simply do not know.
Moreover, the clinician cannot assume that an individual presenting as a patient maintains a monogamy-valued view of their intimate relationship. Patients may experience conflict between the cultural monogamous ideal and their actual sexual behaviours. This conflict may be critical in understanding a patient’s sexual concerns and in treatment planning. Awareness of these issues will aid sexologists in their clinical practice.
This course will focus on the clinical management of 3 couples presenting with a sexual problem and CNM issues.
Learning Objectives: Participants will learn about and get inputs on:
- The different forms of consensual non-monogamy
- The common themes within these couples
- The various help requests they can ask a clinician
- How to orient and build a treatment plan with these couples, considering their real needs
- How to distinguish couples who are willing to collaborate for treatment from those who are uncertain or will manipulate the setting.
Produced in 2021
Francesca Tripodi
Psychotherapist & Sexologist
Lecturer and Supervisor
Francesca Tripodi, PsyD, is a systemic psychotherapist, sexologist, and clinical supervisor working at the Institute of Clinical Sexology in Rome. She attended the Oxford School of Sexual Medicine and is an EFS-ESSM Certified Psychosexologist (ECPS).
With more than 25 years of clinical experience, she covers a wide range of sexual issues, focusing primarily on sexual dysfunction and couple therapy. She is an active Italian Federation of Scientific Sexology (FISS) member. Lecturer at the Training School of Clinical Sexology in Rome and the FISS symposia.
Since 2013, she has been co-director of and lecturer at the ESSM School of Sexual Medicine. Current member of the ESSM Educational and Scientific Committees, the EFS/ESSM Exam Committee, and the European Accreditation of Psycho-sexology (EPSA). From 2014 to 2022, member of the EFS Executive and Educational Committees. Lecturer at the ABC course and the Exam pre-course, held during the ESSM congresses. Lecturer at several ESSM and EFS symposia held during congresses or professional training courses.
In 2019 co-founder and current executive board director of International Online Sexology Supervisors (IOSS), an educational initiative that aims to cover gaps within the field of life-long learning in Clinical Sexology for professionals worldwide.
Author of more than 100 national and international publications in the field, she also contributed and is co-editor of the EFS-ESSM Syllabus of Clinical Sexology (2014), the ESSM Manual of Sexual Medicine (2015), and the Textbook of Rare Sexual Medicine Conditions (2022).
Over the last 25 years, she participated in lectures, oral communications, or posters of the most important conferences and international meetings organized by the main scientific societies of sexology (EFS, WAS, ESSM, ISSM). She has participated in many research projects as a scientific collaborator or coordinator.
Languages
English, Italian
