Polyamory & Open Relationship Therapy

Many approaches to couples therapy are incompatible with non-monogamous relationships (thus, the label "couples" therapy). In fact, some therapies even list non-monogamy as a rule-out factor for treatment. Some therapists alter existing couple therapy approaches to accomodate non-monogamous relationships. While this is helpful, the implementation varies by therapist and implicit monogamy biases baked into the approach still sometimes influence treatment.

Our approach re-built relationship therapy from the ground up to be inclusive of diverse relationship structures and orientations. Self-Determination Based Therapy (SDBT) is founded on universal psychological needs — not on assumptions about what a relationship is supposed to look like. SDBT honors the unique challenges that arise in non-monogamous relationships and integrates tools from traditional couples therapy approaches (like Gottman or Emotionally Focused Therapy) in a way that doesn't pathologize your relationship structure.