The Handbook of Consensual Non-Monogamy: Affirming Mental Health Practice (Diverse Sexualities, Genders, and Relationships)

As the first comprehensive, intersectional examination of consensual non-monogamy, this handbook provides evidence-based research and practice across mental health disciplines on working with consensual non-monogamous (CNM) people and relationships. Leading experts in this emerging field provide counselor educators and practicing clinicians with the authoritative, essential information they need to serve a growing—yet frequently stigmatized—client population with affirmative, research-based, ethical care. Readers will learn basic information related to the development of their own unique relational information, acquire knowledge about CNM and CNM-focused communities, discern how identity, culture, and community impact intimacy and functioning, and take away practical recommendations, insights, and tools to promote CNM-affirming practice across settings, services and populations. Contents Acknowledgments PART I: FOUNDATIONS 1 Introduction: Toward CNM-Affirming, Anti-Oppressive Clinical Practice • Michelle D. Vaughan 2 Living Outside the BOX: Consensual Non-Monogamies, Intimacies, and Communities Notes on Research and Terminology • Daniel Cardoso and Christian Klesse 3 Stigma and Prejudice Endured by People Engaged in Consensual Non-Monogamy • Amy C. Moors and Ashley Ramos 4 Polyam Affect: Working with Emotions in CNM • River M. Farrell 5 Stronger Together: CNM Resilience, Strengths,and Growth • Michelle D. Vaughan and Ryan G. Witherspoon PART II: WITHIN-GROUP DIFFERENCES 6 Consensually Non-Monogamous Families and Their Children • Jessica Boyles and Dena M. Abbott 7 Intersectionality in CNM Relationships • Apryl A. Alexander 8 Disability and CNM Relationships • Alex Iantaffi 9 Queer(ing) Consensual Non-Monogamies, Queering Therapy: Queer Intimacy, Kinship, and Experiences of CNM in LGBTQIA+ Lives • Christian Klesse, Leehee Rothschild, and Jaisie Walker PART III: SPECIFIC APPLICATIONS AND CONTEXTS 10 Creating a CNM-Affirming Mental Health Agency • Theodore R. Burnes and Alexandra Kropf 11 PolySourcing: Anti-Oppressive CNM-Affirming Clinical Training in Graduate Mental Health Programs • Michelle D. Vaughan 12 Ethical Clinical Practice with Consensual Non-Monogamous Clients • Elizabeth A. Duke 13 Developmental Approaches for Clinical Work with CNM Individuals • Cadyn Cathers and Stephanie M. Sullivan 14 Social Class and Polyamory • Elisabeth Sheff and Hope A. Smith 15 Polyperspectives on Anti-Oppressive CNM-Affirming Clinical Practice • Michelle D. Vaughan and Theodore R. Burnes Bibliography Index About the Contributors "This handbook provides perspectives across mental health disciplines on clinical work with consensual non-monogamous (CNM) people/relationships from a lens of power, privilege, and oppression. The authors provide a broad-based resource for clinicians, trainees, educators and supervisors in CNM-affirming care, addressing societal and internalized mononormativity and intersections with other forms of oppression (including ableism, racism, cisnormativity, classism). Educators using this volume will find foundational, current data on the experiences of CNM individuals and their relationships, as well as recent theory and empirical research relevant to CNM clients, including the importance of cultural humility within clinical practice. Key topics include developmental approaches to CNM, communities, families and relationships, queerness, emotional experiences, strengths/resilience, as well as ethical issues, training and organizational considerations in work with these clients, emphasizing practical recommendations, insights, and tools to promote CNM-affirming practice across settings"-- Provided by publisher This handbook is a comprehensive guide to understanding the lives/relationships of CNM individuals for mental health professionals and trainees. This text provides critical foundational knowledge and concrete recommendations for serving this diverse and unique population