Designing Open Relationships (2 CE Hours)

Course Description: There are few established scripts or visible role models for open relationships, so people in them can struggle without support and guidance. Sex educator and author of Opening Up: A Guide to Creating and Sustaining Open Relationships, Tristan Taormino gives advice to clinicians to help their clients create ethical, fulfilling nonmonogamous relationships. Tristan will explore mononormativity and the process of letting go of monogamous beliefs. She will define some of the most common styles of open relationships—from partnered nonmonogamy to solo polyamory—and give examples of elements to discuss and negotiate. Learn how to assist people in figuring out and setting boundaries and making agreements. In addition to sharing stories from her original research, she will share common challenges nonmonogamous people face and useful resiliency tools.

Learning Objectives

At the end of the presentation, attendees will be able to:

• List 4 elements of mononormativity
• List and describe 2 different styles of open relationships
• Discuss 2 points of open relationship negotiation
• Describe strategies for making agreements

Speaker Bio:

Tristan Taormino is an award-winning sex educator, media maker, and speaker. She is the editor of 25 anthologies and author of eight books, including Opening Up: A Guide to Creating and Sustaining Open Relationships and The Ultimate Guide to Kink: BDSM, Role Play and the Erotic Edge. Tristan’s writing and films are routinely used in college courses to explore complex issues of relationship, gender, and sexual diversity in marginalized communities. Tristan conducted original research and extensive interviews of people in non-monogamous relationships for her book Opening Up and has lectured and taught workshops about non-monogamy at colleges, universities, and conferences around the world. She is the host of Sex Out Loud, a weekly podcast that explores sexual pleasure, wellness, community, and justice. She is the founder of The Open List, a list of professionals (therapists, coaches, and other professionals) who are experienced and knowledgeable about alternative sexuality and lifestyles, including polyamory. She is the creator of Sex Educator Boot Camp and runs a coaching and consulting business for sexuality professionals.