This 101 level course, Consensual Non-Monogamy: A Beginner's Overview for Behavioral Health Clinicians will help clinicians better understand the basic concepts of Consensual Non-Monogamy. Consensual Non-Monogamy (CNM), including polyamory, swinging, and open relationships, is distinguished from infidelity by the presence of open and honest communication between partners about the role sex and relationships play in their life.

Many helping professionals receive very little access to information about the various forms of Consensual Non-Monogamy which leads to a lack of information, mis-information and at times biases and harmful interventions. By increasing knowledge and awareness of CNM counselors are able to minimize imposing their personal values related to relationship structures within the counseling relationship.

Objectives for this course:

  • Learners will be able to define the four pillars of relationships 
  • Learners will be able to define six variations of Consensual Non-Monogamy 
  • Learners will be able to define four key terms related to non-monogamy including hierarchical, non-hierarchical, metamour, and compersion
  • Learners will be able to identify 7 key themes that present in counseling non-monogamous relationship styles and interventions that are effective in therapy to address the themes
  • Learners will identify three biases around non-monogamy and explore how this impacts clients who are exploring or engaging in Consensual Non-Monogamy 


Course Curriculum

  Section 1: Introduction
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  Section 2: Preparing for this Course
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  Section 3: Intro to Language - Words Matter
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  Section 4: Four Pillars of Relationships
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  Section 5: Populations
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  Section 6: CNM Structural Benefits
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  Section 7: CNM Terminology
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  Section 8: CNM Terminology Part 2
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  Section 9: Negotiating Relationships Within CNM
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  Section 10: Bias and Myths About CNM
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  Section 11: Resources and Handouts
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  Evaluation and Quiz (Required)
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Genderqueer individual with long dark hair, wearing short sleeve button up shirt, colorful tattoos on arms. looking directly at the camera. They are outside with ivy covered wall in background.

Hi, I’m Nick Marzo. I use he / him / none pronouns.


Nick Fuentes, MS, LPC, LMHC, CST, CPCS, NCC, CCMHC (he/him/none), is a white, transmasculine, genderqueer professional counselor and AASECT Certified Sex Therapist with 20+ years experience. Nick blends his unique lived and clinical experience to provide in-depth information and passionate humanity to the course.

Consensual Non-Monogamy: A Beginner's Overview for Behavioral Health Clinicians is geared towards the therapist who wishes to re-examine their practice and their spaces to help relationship structure minorities access therapy in a way that shifts the client away from cis-genderism and heterosexism, and toward a more affirming experience for relationship structure clients.

Choose a Pricing Option

AASECT Provider

3 Continuing Education credits

Sex Education F; Sex Therapy A

AASECT CEs are accepted by most licensure boards across the U.S.


This program meets the requirements of the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT) and is approved for 3 CE credits. These CE credits may be applied toward AASECT certification and renewal of certification. Completion of this program does not ensure or guarantee AASECT certification. For further information, please contact [email protected].

F.A.Q.

Who should take this course?

This course is designed for licensed therapists seeking to improve on a basic knowledge of relationship structure minorities.


How long do I have access to the course?

Course materials are available indefinitely, including any updates to the course.


What do I do if I have a question?

Our instructors value the connection with students and will do everything we can do improve your experience. If you have questions you can reach us at any time via email at [email protected].


What do I do if I have a complaint or grievance?

We do not issue refunds at this time. Refunds will not be issued due to technical limitations of the student.

Grievances, questions, comments, or concerns should be directed to [email protected]. If this action step does not resolve your grievance AASECT should be contacted at [email protected] or the LPCAGA should be contacted at [email protected] for additional support and assistance.

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Personal and Professional


"I appreciated this training tremendously and it has enriched my personal and professional growth."

  • Jennifer, 2020


Fantastic Course


"Nick brought humility and gentleness to the presentation while simultaneously challenging us all to look at our biases and contemplate the experience of constant stress on members the of GSM community. ...I came away with practical knowledge of how to better support my GSM clients."

Essential Training


"Personally delivered important information. This course should be a must for all counselors and therapists!"