Counseling Individuals Who Practice Consensual Non-monogamy

Whereas monogamy, or a relationship structure consisting of two individuals in a committed relationship, represents the norm in many cultures (Cohen & Wilson, 2016), it is estimated approximately 20% of single adults in the United States had experiences with consensual non-monogamy (CNM; Haupert, Gesselman, Moors, Fisher, & Garcia, 2016). CNM is an umbrella term that encompasses all forms of non-monogamy including polyamory, open relationships, and swinging. In a study combining two separate U.S. Census-based quota samples of single adults (n = 8,718), more than one in five participants reported engaging in CNM at some point in their lifetimes (Haupert et al.). CNM, also called ethical non- monogamy, refers to relationship structures in which one or both partners engage in emotional, sexual, or romantic relationships with other people (Cohen & Wilson, 2016; Conley, Moors, Matsick, & Ziegler, 2013).