Open Relationships Non-Monogamy Therapists in San Luis Obispo, CA
See all therapists in San Luis Obispo
Sarah Medzyk
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, MS, AMFT
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
I am LGBT+ affirmative, sex + kink positive,
polyamory
positive, nerd friendly, and an intersectional feminist.
The difficulties of everyday life can sometimes become overwhelming. When on top of those difficulties we add the stresses of illness, anxiety, depression, our identity, our love lives and more-we can easily feel burdened to our breaking point. We just don't feel heard. Sometimes these situations can linger for months or years, making it hard to meet our obligations and live our lives in the way we would like. However, those difficulties and stresses don't need to define who we are-or where we're going. It's my goal as a therapist to help you tell your story.
Waitlist for new clients
Dr. Jay Bettergarcia
Psychologist, PhD
Verified
Verified
Are you exploring your gender identity or sexuality? Maybe you’re already sure of who you are and you need help taking the next step in your gender journey? The Center for Collaborative Transformations is here to help! If you’ve been thinking about you gender and you are ready to explore the next steps of your social or medical transition (what ever that looks like for you), we can work together while you process, discover, and create the most authentic version of YOU, with all your various identities. I work collaboratively with clients, families, and care teams to develop meaningful acceptance, change, growth, and healing.
Alisa Orozco
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified
Verified
I am passionate about working with couples to help them improve communication, reconnect with one another, and heal distress to support clients in gaining a deeper sense of themselves and their relationship. When working with couples, I use Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) where couples can safely connect with one another leading to a more secure attachment bond. In addition to EFT, I incorporate Expressive Arts, Internal Family Systems, and somatic approaches to support clients in moving through the world with a strong sense of internal safety, belonging, and dignity.
Melinda Marcelluskincaid
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
Do you seek more balance, understanding, connection and freedom in your relationships with yourself and others? I create a safe and supportive environment to help you through difficulties to become more positive and live with presence in acceptance and peace. Whether we work to create boundaries, increase self-esteem, decrease destructive patterns, or move through painful life experiences, together we will process what you are going through in order to obtain clarity, solutions, and personal growth. My hope is that we can find contentment in our present moment & live fully in that moment each day.
Chris Cooke
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, AMFT, MA
Verified
Verified
Johnny Cash says it best, "... it all goes down in the mind."
Cassie Ueberrhein Psychotherapy
Marriage & Family Therapist, MS, LMFT
Verified
3 Endorsed
Verified
3 Endorsed
My focus is young adults 18+, college students and LGBTQ+ folx. I have extensive experience working with college students. I aim to support and guide those who may be struggling with adjusting to college, coping with depression and/or anxiety, forming their identity, exploring their sexuality, working on relational patterns, etc. Decreasing stigma of mental illness as well as suicide prevention and LGBTQ+ rights are important causes to me as an individual, LGBTQ+ ally and professional. I am also a sex-positive therapist, who is not here to judge you. :)
Not accepting new clients
Kris Roudebush
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified
7 Endorsed
Verified
7 Endorsed
Greetings! I'm Kris and I love facilitating therapeutic work with individuals and couples who are looking to explore, enhance, and heal various aspects of our complicated lives. My practice addresses life challenges using a holistic perspective, blending various treatment approaches. Primary approaches include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, existential, mindfulness, and trauma focused. I am a Sex Therapist, and specialize in working with: clients with sexual traumas and PTSD, queer, trans and nonbinary folx, and those experiencing sexual difficulties, whether personally or in their relationship.
Karen A Akre
Marriage & Family Therapist, MS, LMFT
Verified
Verified
Seeking therapy is a brave and vulnerable choice. My hope is you will feel my office provides a safe haven to be your authentic self. Working together we will ensure your treatment is tailored to your individual needs and goals. I will provide unconditional acceptance and support while you process through the emotions and circumstances which led you to seek out therapy.
Amaris Avellan
Pre-Licensed Professional, MA
Verified
Verified
Hi! In a world where so many of us regularly get the message that we are flawed, I think it is important to start by saying something that we might not hear so regularly, which is, that it is okay to be you. But if I’m being honest, being yourself is not always an easy thing to do. As a therapist, I place priority in creating a therapy environment where clients feel safe to share the most authentic versions of themselves without fear of judgement. In addition to a safe therapeutic space, my goal is to assist clients on their paths towards self-expression and self-acceptance no matter where they are in their journey.
Vanessa Swier
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MSW, LCSW, GC-C
Verified
5 Endorsed
Verified
5 Endorsed
Do you feel emotionally stuck? Are you a stuffer? You know, someone who hides your true feelings so you appear "okay" on the outside. Then, let me join you on your journey of feeling & healing. Healing is a process, an ongoing discovery & I'm here to help you uncover hope, find harmony & move towards healing. I'll support you in processing your feelings in order to live your most authentic life. Since earning my BA in Psychology and my Master of Social Work degree, I have worked passionately with individuals, couples, families, adults, college students & teens to learn positive ways to cope with life's many stressors.
Waitlist for new clients
Kelly Bell
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified
Verified
I do what I call "Nail on the head" therapy...if you want to put a nail in the wall, you get out a hammer, figure out where the stud is, and WHACK it on the head...you don't beat around it, you don't use your shoe, not if you want it to stay! Given this philosophy, I provide straightforward usable tools that will help YOU create the changes YOU most want to create...and I try to do so in a fairly short term manner. Check out my blog at: CreativeSolutionsCounseling.wordpress.com and see if my style of therapy is right for you...then give me a call and lets get starting on creating that changes that can really improve your life!
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Amaris Avellan
Vanessa Swier
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Summer Myers
Lauren Phelps
Monica Nunez
Elexia Estrada
Madeleine Foster
Not accepting new clients
Emma Carr
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified
Verified
Anxious? Depressed? Overwhelmed and finding it difficult to achieve daily tasks that used to be so easy? Maybe past traumas have been interrupting your sleep, relationships, career, and you don't know how to manage these traumas? Maybe you want understanding and to break generational toxic behaviors that have worked against you? Maybe you witnessed or experienced an extreme event that is affecting you, but have no idea where to start? I get it, life is not easy, and maybe you are at a point you just need to talk to someone who is non-biased and non judgmental. I am happy to be that person to talk too!
Krissy Shippey
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified
8 Endorsed
Verified
8 Endorsed
As a therapist, I am passionate about walking alongside folks as they reveal their truths and vulnerabilities to themselves. I believe, and have witnessed that people are capable of long standing change with knowledge, support, and connection, and that therapy is a great place for that. You can learn new ways to manage life stressors, feel safe, gain confidence, and live a more joyful and purposeful life. I use cognitive behavioral, solution-focused, and strength-based techniques, while never ignoring the human element and connection where the real change happens.
Kai Lillie
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified
4 Endorsed
Verified
4 Endorsed
What brings you here? If you are scrolling through these pages, you are likely looking for support, either for yourself or someone you care about. While it is easier now to find psychological support, finding the right person to work with is as important as ever. While working with me you will be received in a warm, non-judgmental, and curiosity filled environment. While considering what brought you into therapy, we will reflect on the circumstances contributing to where you are today. Our focus will be on integrating what has been in order to develop into what can be.
Hannah Roberts
Psychologist, PsyD
Verified
4 Endorsed
Verified
4 Endorsed
Please email to work with a therapist on my team at Thrive SLO (available immediately). I work with college students and adults feeling stressed, overwhelmed, and/or anxious. Need balance in your life? Facing grief, past trauma, or coping with difficult family situations? Or maybe you are thinking about coming out to your family and friends? I offer expertise, guidance and support for you to navigate these challenges. I'm passionate about the personal transformation that comes through therapy. I love working with curious individuals who want to better understand themselves, their emotions, & their relationships.
Hannah Morrison
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, AMFT
Verified
2 Endorsed
Verified
2 Endorsed
As a therapist, I am passionate about creating a safe space to explore a deeper understanding of yourself, others and the world . With empathy and trust, I will walk alongside you as you navigate feelings of anxiety, sadness, fear, self-criticism, doubt and shame. You can learn new ways to manage life stressors, gain confidence and self-compassion, advocate for your needs, and live a life that you deem meaningful and authentic to you.
Dr. Adare Toral
Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, PhD, MA, LPCC
Verified
Verified
Thank you for taking interest in my practice, my work centers on providing care for trauma, depression, anxiety, and issues related to gender and sexual orientation. If any of this is something that you are struggling with, know that you are not alone and help is available. Evenings and weekend appointments are available. I have 2 associates in my practice who are also accepting clients ages 6+ for individual, family, or couples therapy.
Jenilee Sneed
Psychologist, PhD
Verified
Verified
Do you bounce between feeling numb and disconnected to completely overwhelmed by your feelings? It seems like if you let yourself feel, you’ll lose control and you feel weak and ashamed if you let yourself cry. You want to feel safe, loved, and supported when you are having a hard time. Yet you find yourself withdrawing from your loved ones, leaving you feeling lonely but also unable to reach out. It’s hard to ask those closest to you for what you need either because you are afraid you’ll be a burden, worry they will get upset, or you fear you will be disappointed. It feels easier to just shove everything down and keep going.
Mai Timberlake
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, MA, AMFT, APCC
Verified
Verified
I am a Gottman Level 1 trained couples therapist. I am very passionate about helping people reconnect intimately, both physically and emotionally. I am skilled in conflict management and enjoy teaching people in relationships how to communicate more effectively. I have experience working with teens and adults struggling with addictions, depression, anxiety, life transitions, trauma, and relationship concerns. I have training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy and somatic psychotherapy. I am experienced working with LGBTQIA+ individuals and am passionate about viewing therapy through a cultural lens. I am Kink Poly and Queer affirming.
Ellen Morgan Jones
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, AMFT
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
I am a passionate nature enthusiast and licensed Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT). I enjoy working with individuals, couples, and families who are interested in furthering their development and reaching a deeper understanding of their own, authentic being. I believe that we are more than our emotions and behaviors–we are complex people that require introspection and the honor of a unique and individualized path to healing. Through the exploration of stories and patterns (both current and past), I assist clients in coming into a deeper understanding and ease with the self.
See more therapy options for
Open Relationships Non-Monogamy Therapists
Why might an individual want to see a therapist specializing in open relationships and consensual non-monogamy?
A client seeking help with an open or consensually non-monogamous relationship will prefer to talk with a professional whom they can count on to be nonjudgmental. Talking with a supportive therapist may on its own help relieve some of the stigma and challenges partners face. That said, the most important factor in the success of any type of therapy is the ability of the client and practitioner to form a strong, trusting bond. For this reason, an individual or couple could find success with a therapist who does not specialize in non-monogamous relationships but with whom they can build trust.
When should open or consensually non-monogamous partners seek counseling?
Like other couples, polyamorous partners typically seek counseling when they face relationship challenges they can’t solve themselves. In non-monogamous relationships, this could include breaches of trust, including infidelity; unclear rules or violations of boundaries; jealousy of outside partners; the stress of juggling the needs of multiple partners; or the effect of high partner turnover on children. Like those of other couples, polyamorous bonds can be threatened by increasingly frequent arguments, poor or dysfunctional communication, diminished emotional or physical intimacy, or the feeling that something is wrong, even if they don’t know what it is.
Do therapists have special training to gain expertise in open relationships and consensual non-monogamy?
No, but individuals seeking help with non-monogamous relationships would most likely consult a licensed professional with specific training in couples counseling or couples therapy. Couples counseling and couples therapy both involve teaching concrete strategies to navigate conflict in relationships. A good therapist can engage both partners as they explain these approaches but can also work with a single partner.
How long does therapy for consensually non-monogamous couples typically last?
Couples therapy for any type of couple, tends to be relatively time-limited, lasting around 12 weeks on average. A good therapist will tailor sessions to the individual partners’ emotions and sometimes their past, along with patterns found to be repeating in the relationship. In many cases, clients should expect their therapist to assign “homework” between weekly sessions.