About this Event
This live virtual workshop is designed to prepare counselors and other mental health professionals for the unique issues they will encounter with clients who have ethical non- monogamous (ENM) relationships. Participants will be able to identify their own biases towards the ENM community and how these biases can damage rapport with clients if not addressed. Participants will be able to distinguish the difference between ethical and unethical non-monogamy and apply counseling skills to confront unethical non-monogamy.
With the increase in relationships that are Ethically Non- Monogamous (ENM), and the stigma surrounding ENM relationship structures, it has become important for counselors to be knowledgeable on ENM relationships and how to counsel them.
This workshop will include
- Understanding the umbrella of ENM
- Different types of ENM relationships
- Relationship boundaries and expectations
- Common counseling issues and practical interventions.
4 NBCC-approved Continuing Education credits awarded for this event.
Workshop Breakdown:
1. Introduction (10 Min)
2. Understanding the umbrella of ethical non-monogamy/ Different types of ethical non-
monogamous relationships (50 Min)
a. Tenets of the community
b. Understanding Consent
c. Challenges and Rewards
d. Key Terms that are unique to the community
e. Different relationship dynamics that are considered ethical
f. Questionable relationship dynamics
g. Unethical relationship dynamics
3. Relationship BAES (Boundaries, Agreements, Expectations, and Support) (60 Min)
a. How to assist clients in negotiating boundaries
i. Activity: Case Study and Role Play to practice negotiating boundaries
b. Helping clients come to agreements with partners
i. Activity: Case Study and Role Play to practice coming to agreements
c. Assisting clients in managing expectations
i. Activity: Case Study and Role Play to practice managing expectations
d. Reviewing with clients how to ask for support
i. Activity: Case Study and Role Play to practice asking for support
4. Common counseling issues and practical interventions/ Consultation (60 Min)
a. Building Constellations with clients
b. Conscious Relationship Design and ethical non-monogamy
c. Common presenting issues
d. Open consultation
Presenter Expertise:
Dr. Sarah Stillwell has a specialization in Affirmative therapy for sexual orientation and gender
identity minorities (SOGI) from Southern Methodist University and recently completed a
PhD at Texas A&M University-Commerce where their research focused on competencies
for working with sexual and gender minorities. They currently work as an Assistant
Professor at Loyola University- New Orleans where they primarily teach Multicultural
Counseling and are working to develop an Affirmative Therapy Specialization. They
maintain a part-time clinical practice as well. In the past, Dr. Stillwell was the Clinical
Coordinator of Affirmative therapy at a large private counseling practice with 4 locations
in the DFW area where they educated and supervised other clinicians on how to be
affirmative therapists. Dr. Stillwell is also a gender-affirming mental health provider who
provides one-time assessments for letters of clearance for medical and legal gender
transitions. They also specialize in counseling for Ethical non-monogamous individuals
and relationships, as well as being kink-aware. In 2020, they cofounded a consultation
group for DFW counselors who specialize with Ethical Non-Monogamy and Kink-Aware
Therapy. Due to their passion for the SOGI community, they are also a volunteer leader
with multiple divisions of the Texas Counseling Association (TCA), currently serving as
the Senator for the Texas branch of the Society for Sexual, Affectional, Intersex, and
Gender Expansive Identities (TxSAIGE) and formerly sitting on the Texas Counselors
for Social Justice (TxCSJ) board for 6 years. With their connection to TCA, they have
completed advocacy work in Texas for issues that impact counseling clients identifying
as SOGI and the mental health field.
Rowan Quarterman has a background in Anthropology, Sociology and Psychology from
University of New Orleans and is currently working towards a Masters in Clinical Mental
Health Counseling at Loyola University-New Orleans. Outside of academic knowledge,
they have developed practical knowledge of the unique aspects of the Ethically
Non-Monogamous community. With their clinical training and practical knowledge,
Rowan is eagerly anticipating their upcoming internship at a prominent practice in
the heart of New Orleans, where they will have the opportunity to facilitate a group on
Ethical Non Monogamy. Additionally, they have previously facilitated a support
group for LGBTQIA+ youth at a local school in New Orleans that bridged education
between human sexuality and mental health.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
7214 St Charles Ave, 7214 Saint Charles Avenue, New Orleans, United States
USD 40.00
