Clinicians need to be ready to discuss the many nuances of fidelity agreements, the purposes they serve, and how to help couples negotiate effective, adaptive, and sustainable agreements. The awareness of our own biases and assumptions as well as distinguishing the differences between sexual expression and intimacy will assist us in respecting our clients’ beliefs, values, and decision making regarding sexual behaviors, sexual health, and sexual identities. We can begin by recognizing how these new options fit into our clients’ sex lives and relationships to gain a better understanding of how these influence the clinical setting.
Upon completion of this presentation, participants will be able to:
1) Individually screen and assess couples for relationship traumas and other issues – past present; then,
2) Provide couples’ therapy in ways which most effectively support the individuals and help resolve presenting issues even in cases which conflict with their own belief systems.
