Polyamory Therapy in
San Diego, CA
Inclusive Polyamory Counseling in San Diego for Individuals, Couples, and Partners
At Estes Therapy, we offer inclusive and affirming polyamory therapy in San Diego, California.
Are you or your partner exploring open relationships? Or are you and your polycule seeking help navigating the complex nature of non-monogamy? Then you’ve come to the right place. Our experienced therapists are here to provide emotional support, communication tools, and relationship guidance for people of all genders and orientations.
Polyamory-Friendly Therapy Backed by Experience, Compassion, and a Diverse Team of Therapists
The challenges poly individuals and diverse relationship constellations face are unique. When a therapist is unaware of polyculture, polyamorous people can find it difficult to navigate their experiences with therapy.
At Estes Therapy, we understand the emotional landscape of polyamorous relationships through clinical training and lived experience. With empathy, cultural competency, and professional care, our poly therapists guide people into healthier relationships and happier lives.
The Diversity of Non-Monogamy
Unlike infidelity, non-monogamous relationships are based on aligned understanding and defined boundaries where emotional, romantic, or sexual connections with others are allowed.
Here are some of the major forms of non-monogamous relationships:
Hierarchy Polyamory
Hierarchical polyamory involves partners having more priority over others. Primary partners can receive more time, resources, and emotional attention than secondary or tertiary partners.
Open Relationships
Open relationships involve partners that agree to be emotionally and/or physically committed while sexually engaging with other people. Couples may engage with others separately or together.
Polyamory
Polyamory involves multiple loving and committed relationships with the full consent and knowledge of all partners. While poly people may prioritize different relationships based on emotional needs, shared goals, and life stages, they regularly check in with their partners to ensure everyone’s needs are being met.
Relationship Anarchy
Relationship anarchy rejects traditional societal norms and expectations in a relationship. Rather than pre-determined roles and structures, relationship anarchy focuses on mutual consent and agreement with no titles in individual relationships’ dynamic and ever-changing nature.
Swinging
Swinging focuses on recreational sexual experiences in which couples engage in sexual activities with consenting individuals, from swapping partners to group sex.
What Our Polyamory Therapy in San Diego Provides
Non-monogamous relationships require more work than a traditional monogamous relationship. Needs and expectations can change as relationships develop in complex and unexpected ways. With these challenges, polyamorous relationships and other forms of non-monogamy require:
- Strong communication skills to have a shared value in a healthy, non-monogamous relationship,
- Emotional maturity to handle complicated situations and intense emotions and
- Willingness to negotiate boundaries and expectations to meet everyone’s needs.
- All partners might join therapy or it might be focused on a pod.
With polyamory therapy in Estes Therapy here in San Diego, CA, you and your partners can move ahead with clarity, shared relationship vision, and skills toward healthy polyamorous relationships.
Identify Personal Needs and Relationship Boundaries with Clarity
People choose polyamory for multiple reasons. Estes Therapy provides a safe space to reflect on your needs, wants, and boundaries in relationships, individually or with your partner.
Build a Relationship Agreement Beyond a Basic List of Rules
Relationship agreements in polyamory are more effective when they are grounded in values and emotional needs, not just rules. Your therapist in Estes Therapy will ask questions to foster transparency and open dialogue to create and revisit relationship agreements that honor everyone involved.
Navigate Conflicts, Jealousy, Time Management, and Other Polyamory Challenges
Non-monogamous relationships face challenges like insecurity, jealousy, and time management among partners. Polyamory therapy guides partners in identifying the root cause of conflict and developing coping strategies.
Strengthen Emotional Bonds and Secure Attachments Among Partners
Polyamory therapy helps partners build and maintain secure attachments in their expansive relationship networks. We aim to help our clients experience compersion, or the feeling or warmth or even joy when their partner develops emotional or sexual connections with another person, common in polyamorous relationships.
Liberate Yourself from Toxic or Compulsory Monogamy Narratives
Polyamory counseling helps non-monogamous individuals unpack societal monogamy norms and expectations that no longer serve them. Let our LGBTQIA+ therapists in Estes Therapy help you explore your own relationship style free from shame and stigma.
Support and Education on Non-Monogamous Relationship Structures
By providing education and support on non-monogamous relationship structures, we help poly individuals, couples, and polycules understand themselves and what they want in relationships.
Meet Our Poly-Friendly Couples and Family Therapists
Our team at Estes Therapy in San Diego, CA, includes experienced therapists like Dr. Ida Fariba, a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) and supervisor who explores polyamory, open relationships, non-monogamy, kink, and BDSM.
How Does Polyamory Therapy Work and How Long Does It Take?
At Estes Therapy, our polyamory therapy services range from 6 to 12 sessions or more, depending on our clients’ needs and goals. Our sessions are available in person at our office in San Diego, CA, or via online therapy for your convenience. While we do not accept direct insurance, we provide Super Bills for insurance reimbursement.
Ready to Begin?
Schedule an Appointment Today
Heal, build, and celebrate your relationships in a safe, affirming space with us. Schedule an appointment with us to start.