Consensual Non-Monogamy: A Guide in Helping Clinicians Pioneer Modern Relationships (4 CE Hours)

In this 4 hour virtual workshop, we will explore:

• Understanding Consensual Non-monogamy
• Definitions of Social Issues Concerning Consensual Non-Monogamy
• The Misconceptions of Consensual Non-Monogamy
• Agreements, Boundaries, and Rules in Consensual Non-Monogamy
• Helping Jealous Clients in Non-Consensual Relationships
• Communication Issues of Honesty, Negotiating, and Disclosure

Learning Objectives:

• Discuss the social issues concerning consensual non-monogamy
• Identify and list the 11 misconceptions of consensual non-monogamy
• Identify and list the 5 rules for consensual non-monogamy to be successful
• Describe the strategies used in helping jealous clients in non-consensual relationships
• Explain what agreements, boundaries, and rules in non-monogamous relationships look like

Activities (4 hours)

• (10) Introduction to instructor and the meaning of consensual non-monogamy
• (60) The Journey of Consensual Non-Monogamy: Helping clients understand consensual non-monogamy and the misconceptions of consensual non-monogamy
• (60) The Many Forms of Love: Consensual non-monogamy formats and how to be successful in these formats
• (80) Empowering Relationships: Strategies in helping jealous clients, navigating and negotiating agreements, rules, and boundaries
• (30) Real cases

Speaker Bio:

Dr. Melvin L. Phillips, Jr. is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Dr. Phillips has worked in several mental health and substance abuse treatment settings including outpatient community mental health, inpatient treatment, and  private practice for the past 12 years. He is a speaker and has lectured on topics including preventative services, anxiety and stress management, caregiving stress, depression in the elderly, mindfulness and cognitive strategies for chronic pain, ethical decision making, and the assessment of mental disorders. He has published in the Journal of Baccalaureate Social Work, conducting a research study on LGBTQ-Affirmative Teaching at Historically Black Colleges and Universities: Understanding Program Directors Views. He holds a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) degree in Organizational Leadership with an emphasis in Behavioral Health from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, AZ. In addition, Dr. Phillips holds a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from Norfolk State University and is an adjunct professor in the Master of Social Work Program with the School of Social Work at Western New Mexico University. Dr. Phillips is employed at a group  private practice in Washington, DC., Capitol Hill Consortium for Counseling and Consultation where he treats chronic illness and sexual dysfunction.