The Many Faces of Polyamory: Longing and Belonging in Concurrent Relationships provides new perspectives on polyamory and the longing to belong in the relatively uncharted territory of nonnormative relationships. This volume offers a valuable and compelling account on how to approach polyamorous relationships from the clinical perspective. While there is no uniform answer, Dr. Fosse’s compassionate and discerning approach that combines relative neutrality, an open-minded embrace of nontraditional lifestyle choices, and skilful attention to countertransference dynamics is likely to be inspiring. Dr. Fosse exposes the dynamics of love, sex, jealousy, and compersion as they play out in lives of those interested in polyamory, and more broadly, consensual nonmonogamy. Her focus is on relationships worth having. With its nuanced clinical focus, The Many Faces of Polyamory will be an essential resource for psychotherapists, educators, students, and anyone inside and outside of the mental health field drawn to the intricacies of sexuality, intimacy, and how they are intertwined with relational satisfaction

At a time when legal and social prohibitions on sexual relationships are declining, Americans are still nearly unanimous in their condemnation of adultery. Over 90 percent disapprove of cheating on a spouse. In her comprehensive account of the legal and social consequences of infidelity, Deborah Rhode explores why. She exposes the harms that criminalizing adultery inflicts, and she makes a compelling case for repealing adultery laws and prohibitions on polygamy. In the twenty-two states where adultery is technically illegal although widely practiced, it can lead to civil lawsuits, job termination, and loss of child custody. It is routinely used to threaten and tarnish public officials and undermine military careers. And running through the history of anti-adultery legislation is a double standard that has repeatedly punished women more severely than men. An “unwritten law” allowing a man to avoid conviction for killing his wife’s lover remained common well into the twentieth century. Murder under these circumstances was considered an act of understandable passion. Adultery has been called the most creative of sins, and novelists and popular media have lavished attention on sexual infidelity. As a focus of serious study, however, adultery has received short shrift. Rhode combines a comprehensive account of the legal and social consequences of adultery with a forceful argument for halting the state’s policing of fidelity.

This book provides an analysis of the meaning of safety and security across the contexts of community and public life, throughout the life span, and within a therapeutic framework, examining threats and the strategies for coping with them. The book starts in Part I with a discussion of general safety and security concepts in the socio-cultural context. Part II of the book details the role of a sense of security in psychological assistance, psychotherapy and supervision, while Part III centres on safety and security at different life stages. Drawing on the tenets of modern attachment theory and trauma theory, chapter authors address questions of safety, danger, and protection for both individuals and groups, across a variety of fields of knowledge and expertise. Themes such as loneliness, play and exploration, evil and forgiveness, health and death, and spirituality and healing are discussed as practice examples, learning points, and tips. A wide range of health and social care professional practitioners will find this book useful in exploring social, interpersonal, and psychological aspects of safety and security.

New Directions in Sex Therapy: Innovations and Alternatives, Third Edition focuses on new and cutting-edge therapy paradigms as alternatives to conventional clinical strategies, challenging practitioners to expand our thinking about how to deal with sexual concerns. In the third edition of this award-winning book, Peggy J. Kleinplatz, Ph.D., brings together the best therapists and sexologists to advance beyond predominant approaches to sexual difficulties. Part I highlights the major problems and criticisms facing sex therapy and furnishes a rationale for new directions, with chapters on ethics, heteronormativity and comprehensive sexual education/healthcare as human rights issues. Part II demonstrates new approaches to dealing with traditional sex therapy concerns, including sexual desire discrepancies, difficulties with erections and orgasms and sexuality in older couples. There is also attention to concerns typically overlooked including those related to consensual nonmonogamy, sexuality and disability and marginalized populations. This edition is replete with helpful new clinical illustrations across the spectrum of theoretical orientations, such as EFT/EFIT, narrative-relational, psychodynamic, CBT, experiential and group therapy modalities to demonstrate these approaches in action. There are also queer-informed perspectives on sex and relationships and innovative contributions on the person of the therapist and on promoting optimal erotic intimacy. This book is intended for students and clinicians who deal with sexual issues and concerns in therapy – clinicians of every kind, novices and advanced practitioners – rather than only those who define themselves as sex therapists.

Offers a legal and historical context for reforming family law and legalizing plural marriage

This anthology takes an international and cross-cultural approach to discussions about friendship by curating a set of diverse contributions situated in a transnational context. These interdisciplinary contributions take friendship seriously as a subject of feminist and legal study and hone in specifically on polyamory, polygamy, and Platonic affinities, considering the sexual and non-sexual ties of affect and affinity that link a diverse range of contemporary friendships that exist cross-culturally. This highly original book teases out commonalities between experiences of affinity that are enmeshed with the differences between social, national, legal, and cultural frameworks that surround these relationships of affinity and affect, and troubles forms of government and legal regulation that prohibit or fail to recognize the consensual interdependence connecting diverse forms of human friendship.

Unlike other books on this topic, Polyamory in the 21st Century weaves together research and facts to provide an informed and impartial analysis of polyamory as a lifestyle and as a movement, and to place it in a psychosocial as well as an historical context. Anecdotes and personal experiences allow the reader to develop a better understanding of polyamory and the people who practice and enjoy it. Anapol addresses the practical, the utopian, and the shadow sides of this intriguing, mysterious, yet often threatening lifestyle. It honestly addresses difficult issues such as the nature of commitment without exclusivity, balancing personal needs with loyalty to a partner, evaluating beliefs about love and relationship, the impact of polyamory on children, and the challenges that arise when one partner wants monogamy and another prefers polyamory. Without judgement, she explores this increasingly common practice, and reveals the true nature of a lifestyle that many do not understand.

“A fast-paced debut… A candid, modern take on polyamory for fans of memoirs and graphic novels, and anyone interested in stories of dating, love, and romance.” —Library Journal After trying for years to emulate her boomer parents’ forty-year and still-going-strong marriage, Sophie realized that maybe the love she was looking for was down a road less traveled. In this bold, graphic memoir, she explores her sexuality, her values, and the versions of love our society accepts and practices. Along the way, she shares what it’s like to play on Tinder side-by-side with your boyfriend, encounter—and surmount—many types of jealousy, learn the power of female friendship, and other amazing things that happened when she stopped looking for “the one.” In a lot of ways, Many Love is Sophie’s love letter to everyone she has ever cared for. Witty, insightful, and complete with illustrations, this debut provides a memorable glimpse into an unconventional life.

Enjoy this steamy polyamory bisexual contemporary novel by USA Today bestselling contemporary romance author Lynn Burke... I’ve been called a ray of sunshine but can’t get my head out of the clouds, and I sure as hell can’t carry on an intelligent conversation. What I do excel at? Cooking, cleaning, and caring for children. But I’m no 1950s housewife looking for a husband. Independent and driven, I want to fulfill my daydreams of having two men love me until I breathe my last. Missing Link provides me with the opportunity to fulfill my desires with Rhett and Ashton, long-time partners who are looking for an angel to share in their life. When unforeseen circumstances leave me homeless, Ashton offers me my greatest fantasy come to life which places me in close proximity to the two hot men. The problem? Reservations and impenetrable stoicism keep me from winning Rhett’s heart. But tragedy brings crippling emotions, forcing a battle of the wills. Can Rhett find the strength to be vulnerable, or will Ashton be the only person whose love he’ll trust in? Desiring an Angel is the third standalone novel in the LGBTQ polyamorous Missing Link Series. HEA guaranteed, this hurt/comfort steamy billionaire menage romance begins because of a dating app. Perfect for readers who enjoy strong, independent heroines and protective, bisexual swoon-worthy heroes. If you’re a fan of Fiona Cole, Kenzie Haven, Roxanne Riley, Alyssa Turner, Ashley Jade, & Allyson Lindt, you’re going to love the Missing Link Series!

Finally, a book that explores what it truly means to be polyamorous by exploring the wonderful variety of poly relationships. Only through understanding polys innate diversity can one grasp what open relationships can off er. Th ank you, Mim, for a book that is relevant and useful, as polyamory moves out of the shadows and into the mainstream of society. It is an important resource for anyone who wishes to understand the growing poly movement as it changes our society and challenges our presumptions about relationships. Bravo! Robyn Trask, Executive Director of Loving More Non-Profit and Magazine What is your relationship dream, and what options are out there to choose from? Were familiar with monogamy, but what additional models of loving and living are offered by polyamory, and what do they look like in action? How is polyamory different from polygamy, swinging, or cheating? What new forms of etiquette are needed in order to nurture polys varied forms of family? Is it really possible to have a relationship in which love does not equal possessiveness? Any relationship, from monogamous marriage to business enterprise to polyamorous family, will benefit from the practical relationship advice found within the covers of this well-written little book. Matthew C. Cox, Life Coach and Author of Living the Southwest Lifestyle Just the right balance between information, candor, and lightheartedness. Dr. Fred Hillman, GLBT activist and retired Family Therapist Dont let the size of this little book fool you. What Does Polyamory Look Like? is chock full of information about how to build honest, loving, and lasting relationships. Therapists and educators, take note! Dr. Chapman dispels the myths of polyamory and teaches us all about how to create and sustain the relationships of which weve dreamed. Sera Miles, Director of New Mexico FetLifers