Foundations for Opening Up

Foundations for Opening Up is a specialized therapy program designed for couples or individuals who are considering, preparing for, or actively beginning to open up their relationship. Whether you are exploring ethical non-monogamy, polyamory, or simply feeling the first spark of curiosity, this program offers a structured, compassionate space to move through the process with intention, clarity, and emotional safety.

Opening your relationship is a meaningful transition, one that can bring excitement, fear, possibility, grief, curiosity, and connection all at once. This program helps you navigate that complexity without pressure, shame, or assumptions about the “right” way to do ENM. Instead, we focus on what is right for your relationship.

What This Program Supports

Foundations for Opening Up is ideal for couples who are:

  • Thinking about opening up but unsure where to start

  • Holding different levels of desire or readiness

  • Wanting a guided process that feels grounded and ethical

  • Seeking clarity about boundaries, agreements, and pacing

  • Hoping to strengthen their relationship before bringing others in

  • Navigating the emotional landscape of jealousy, excitement, compersion, fear, or uncertainty

  • Wanting support during early experiences or unexpected feelings.

Lover Therapy

LOVER THERAPY

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Lover Therapy

LOVER THERAPY

How the Program Works

Foundations for Opening Up is offered as a tailored series of therapy sessions based on your pace, needs, and goals.
This often includes:

  • A joint intake session

  • Individual sessions to explore personal history, desires, fears, and values

  • Paired sessions to strengthen communication and connection

  • ENM-specific coaching on agreements, boundaries, and emotional preparedness

  • Support as new experiences unfold

This is not a prescriptive model, it is a collaborative, relational, and adaptive process. We continually review, adjust, and reconnect as your relationship grows..

  • Foundations for Openness

    We begin by clarifying values, identifying needs, and strengthening communication skills that support a secure, connected partnership, especially during change.
    Together we explore the deeper “why” behind the desire to open up and any fears, attachments, or stories that may arise.

  • Understanding Relationship Patterns

    Before expanding outward, we map your conflict cycles, attachment patterns, and emotional triggers. This helps create a shared language and a stable foundation so you can move forward feeling connected rather than reactive.

  • Creating Intentional Agreements

    Instead of rigid rules, we co-create agreements that foster safety, autonomy, honesty, and flexibility. We’ll explore:

    Boundaries & limits
    Transparency & communication needs
    Pacing (how to open slowly and thoughtfully)
    Aftercare & emotional processing
    Time management & emotional bandwidth
    Navigating new connections respectfully

  • Emotional Support Through the Opening Process

    Description goes hereOpening a relationship often brings up unexpected emotions. We normalize and navigate:

    Jealousy
    Excitement
    Fear
    New relationship energy (NRE)
    Grief or shifts in identity
    Compersion
    Changes in intimacy or desire

    Therapy offers a nonjudgmental container where both partners can slow down, process their internal experience, and reconnect with each other.

  • Ongoing Integration & Adjustment

    As you begin to explore, your relationship will evolve, sometimes rapidly. This program offers ongoing support as you:

    Revisit agreements
    Repair ruptures or misunderstandings
    Integrate new relationships
    Adjust expectations
    Deepen emotional intimacy
    Build a sustainable ENM structure that feels authentic

Your Relationship Deserves Care, Not Guesswork

Opening up can be expansive, transformative, and deeply connecting, when done thoughtfully.
If you’re ready to explore what this path could look like, Foundations for Opening Up offers the therapeutic support you need to move with clarity, compassion, and intention. Schedule a free 15 minute video consultation now:

Schedule