Abstracts Psychology

Best Practices for Counselling Clients in Polyamorous Relationships

by Marek Buchanan

Non-monogamous relationships are becoming a significant topic of conversation in psychology. Approximately 4%–5% of the population engage in non-monogamous relationships, yet counsellors receive little or no training on working with clients who choose these relationship structures (Balzarini et al., 2017). This research examines current trends in counselling polyamorous clients and suggests best practices and areas for growth. The literature clearly indicates that polyamorous clients face stigma and discrimination, both in and out of the counselling room (Cassidy & Wong, 2018; Schechinger et al., 2018; Trexler, 2021). Counsellors’ lack of knowledge and personal biases toward polyamory need to be addressed in order for clients to receive appropriate and effective treatment in the context of an accepting therapeutic relationship (Kisler & Lock, 2019). Practitioners can use this research to begin recognizing and challenging their perception of non-monogamy, identify areas for further research, and adapt their current practices in relationship counselling to include clients who choose diverse relationship structures.