Consensual intimacy (sexual and otherwise) outside of a primary relationship is becoming an increasingly common relational agreement in our postmodern world. The term “polyamory” has been used as an umbrella term; however, this concept covers a vast range of relational agreements, each determined by the individuals involved. Terms used to identify such relationships are as numerous as the individuals who endorse them, continue to evolve within cultures, and are often dependent upon the particular configuration of the couple, triad, or family at a given moment.



It becomes clear that polyamory has multiple possible meanings and that understanding what this identifier means in the context of the individual person is essential to clinical practice. Misunderstandings and pathologizing assumptions about these individuals abound and contribute to a culture that often creates barriers to appropriate treatment for these individuals, even regarding other clinical issues. As responsible clinicians, we must challenge ourselves to confront our own values and stereotypes around sexual and relational diversity, becoming increasingly aware of the judgments we bring into the room. This continuing education event will attempt to share some of the collected findings regarding polyamory and nonmonogamy, including a review of how these terms and types of relationships are often understood by their participants.



This web conference is beginning instructional level and designed to help clinicians:




  1. Identify and describe multiple styles of non-monogamy polyamory, open marriage, polyfidelity, responsible non-monogamy, triads, etc;

  2. Explain polyamories as one of a person’s multiple identities, in the spectrum of sexual and relational identities;

  3. Identify frequently expressed relational concerns of polyamorous individuals;

  4. Describe ways to avoid pathologizing behavior with nonmonogamous people in therapy.



If you have any questions about this web conference or would like more information, please contact us here.


How the Web Conference Works

In short, participants will be able to listen to the event by calling in to our teleconference center. Prior to the event, all participants will be sent an email with instructions on how to login to the teleconference center. This event will include lecture, interaction, and question and answer periods.


Continuing Education (CE) Information

1.5 CE credits will be provided by GoodTherapy.org for attending this web conference in its entirety.

GoodTherapy.org is also an Approved Education Provider by NAADAC, The Association for Addiction Professionals (provider #135463). Of the eight counselor skill groups ascribed to by NAADAC, this course is classified within counseling services.

GoodTherapy.org is an NBCC-Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEPTM) and may offer NBCC-approved clock hours for events that meet NBCC requirements.

GoodTherapy.org is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. GoodTherapy.org maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

GoodTherapy.org, SW CPE is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #0395.

Registration Information

Premium and Pro Membership with GoodTherapy includes access to this web conference at no additional cost, as well as other member benefits such as a profile listing in GoodTherapy's Therapist Directory. Not yet a member? Sign up for a Premium or Pro Membership, here.

Just want CE credits? Sign up for a monthly or annual CE Subscription with GoodTherapy to get unlimited access to our CE Program, including this event, other live CE web conferences, and hundreds of hours of homestudy courses.

Mental health professionals who are not members can attend this live web conference for $30.95 or access the homestudy recording for $15.50. Sign up here to purchase this CE course and earn a CE certificate.

Event Reviews from Members

I appreciated how well organized Rachel was and thorough in covering a good deal of information in a very limited amount of time. - Kristin Hirt, LMFT

Meet the Presenter

Rachel Kieran, PsyD

Dr. Rachel Kieran is a licensed psychologist in private practice in the Atlanta area providing individual and couples counseling/psychotherapy as well as assessment services. Licensed in the state of Georgia, Dr. Kieran has been providing therapy services for over ten years and has been in private practice for six. Dr. Kieran’s practice is open and accepting to all and places a particular emphasis on the importance of multiple identities in the lives of clients. This includes relational and gender diversity including affectional identify orientation, queer theory, BDSM, kink, transgender issues, polyamory, and other nonmonogamies.

In addition to clinical work in private practice, Dr. Kieran is a part-time faculty member at Agnes Scott College and Kennesaw State University. A current member of the Georgia Psychological Association’s Board of Directors, she has been actively involved in GPA’s Council on Gender and Sexual Diversity and Continuing Education committee for the past three years. Dr. Kieran has presented at local and national conferences on topics related to sexual, gender, and relational diversity. She also provides consultation services to local universities regarding issues of sexual and gender diversity.

For more information about Dr. Kieran and her work, please visit www.rkieranpsyd.com