Therapists in 94127
Gabe Kenney - Your Own Words
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, MFT
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
San Francisco, CA 94127
Our world is full of stories and it can be hard to decide which of these stories truly serve you. The people in our lives may have lots of ideas about what we should think or do, and it can be hard to cut through the white noise to identify what you really want. Do you ever feel so lost in others' stories that you find it difficult to hear yourself? With so many story tellers around you, is there any space for you to be the author? You have a story to tell. Whether you're anxious about a looming exam, processing the passing of a loved one, or just living your life, your story should be heard - and respected - fully.
Our world is full of stories and it can be hard to decide which of these stories truly serve you. The people in our lives may have lots of ideas about what we should think or do, and it can be hard to cut through the white noise to identify what you really want. Do you ever feel so lost in others' stories that you find it difficult to hear yourself? With so many story tellers around you, is there any space for you to be the author? You have a story to tell. Whether you're anxious about a looming exam, processing the passing of a loved one, or just living your life, your story should be heard - and respected - fully.
See more therapy options for 94127
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.