Polyamory & Open Relationships: Designing and Sustaining

Despite its most prevalent stereotype, non-monogamy is not all sex, sex, sex, but is actually mostly talk, talk, talk. Unlike monogamy, open relationships rarely come with a list of pre-determined rules, so we need to make our own. But how?

This workshop offers a guide through this very terrain, introducing participants to the many different forms of non-monogamy (polyamory, open relationships, monogamish relationships, polyfidelity, clopen relationships, etc) and helping participants create their own map through the rocky landscape that is designing a sustainable, non-monogamous relationship tailored to fit all partners involved.

Tackling common challenges unique to non-monogamy such as managing jealousy, creating solid relationship agreements, and communicating clearly about your needs and wants, this workshop serves as the perfect introductory course for non-monogamists or a useful tune-up for the in-the-thick-of-it pros.

Participants should bring a pen and notebook as each participant will walk away with a customized collection of worksheets & reflections to get them started on and/or help continue on the journey through non-monogamy.

Yana Tallon-Hicks is a relationships therapist and a consent, sex & sexuality writer and educator living in Northampton, MA. Her work centers around the belief that pleasure-positive & consent-based sex education can positively impact our lives and the world. She currently practices individual & relationship therapy at the Couples Center of the Pioneer Valley in Northampton, particularly around issues pertaining to sex, sexuality, non-monogamy, and the LGBTQQ+ community.

This event is open to all Keene State students and is sponsored by Office of Multicultural Student Support and Success and a KSC PepsiCo grant.