Description
Amatonormativity is the belief that most intimate relationships are monogamous. Yet many healing practitioners report seeing more and more families practicing healthy ethical non-monogamy. This workshop will focus on reducing stigma and detailing various forms of polyamory and ethical non-monogamy. A special focus is placed on liberation practice as it relates to uplifting all relationship types, how intersectionality plays a role in regard to decision-making in polyamorous relationships, negotiating boundaries within relationships, and setting healthy boundaries within polyamorous relationships.
Instructor
Maryland-native Randall Leonard (they/them/theirs) is a proud nonbinary licensed clinical social worker specializing in the care of LGBTQIA individuals. They currently hold healing space focused on the liberation of Black and Queer people through encouraging authenticity, reconnecting to history and lineage, and empowering shared lived experiences. They also facilitate a weekly group for trans and gender-diverse people of color to process intersectionality topics between race, culture, and gender.
Randall holds a Master of Social Work from the University of Maryland, School of Social Work with a concentration in clinical behavioral health. As a strong advocate for transgender and gender non-conforming individuals, their recent achievements include testifying for the “X” gender marker on Maryland driver’s licenses, passed and enacted in 2019, and being featured as part of Sephora’s 2019 “Belong to Something Beautiful” gender-diversity campaign.
Agenda & Learning Objectives
AGENDA:
12:50 – 1:00 Registration/Log On
1:00 – 2:45
Welcome / Introduction / Learning Objectives
What is Amatonormativity?
Historical Context of Polyamory
2:45 – 3:00 Break
3:00 – 4:15
Polyamorous Perspectives on Mental Health
Mental Health Support Strategies
4:15 Adjournment
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Upon the completion of this workshop, participants will be able to:
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Explore topics that might arise in therapy with clients who are practicing consensual non-monogamy or polyamory.
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Describe how stigma creates barriers in healthcare settings for polyamorous clients.
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Process current research and best practices for affirming therapy with polyamorous clients.
Bibliography & References
BIBLIOGRAPHY & REFERENCES
Angel, K. (2021). Tomorrow sex will be good again : women and desire in the age of consent. Verso.
Brewer, J. (2021). Unwinding anxiety : new science shows how to break the cycles of worry and fear to heal your mind. Avery, Penguin Random House Llc.
Creative Interventions. (2021). CREATIVE INTERVENTIONS TOOLKIT : a practical guide to stop interpersonal violence. Ak Press.
Erickson-Schroth, L. (2022). Trans bodies, trans selves : a resource by and for transgender communities. Oxford University Press.
Fern, J. (2020). Polysecure : attachment, trauma and consensual nonmonogamy. Thorntree Press.
Johnson, R. (2023). Embodied Activism. North Atlantic Books.
Landry, S., Arseneau, E., & Darling, E. K. (2021). "It's a Little Bit Tricky": Results from the POLYamorous Childbearing and Birth Experiences Study (POLYBABES). Archives of sexual behavior, 50(4), 1479–1490. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-021-02025-5
Murray, S. O., Roscoe, W., & Epprecht, M. (2021). Boy-Wives and Female Husbands: Studies in African Homosexualities (Suny Press Open Access) (Reprint ed.). SUNY Press.
Target Audience
Social Workers, LCPCs, and Psychologists
We welcome anyone interested in the topic!
Late Fees and Refunds
The base price is $70, which includes CE credit.
Late Fee: On 3/28/2025, a non-refundable late fee of $20 is added to the base price. Late fees cannot be refunded or applied to account credit.
Cancellations: **ALL cancellations will be subjected to a $35.00 administration fee.** To be eligible for a refund or CPE account credit, cancellations must be made at least 24 hours before the workshop.
For more information, please read the general policies on our website.
ADA Accommodations
If you are requesting ADA accommodations, please contact our office via email at least two weeks prior to the workshop date. Requests after that date may not be fulfilled.
Our email address is cpe@ssw.umaryland.edu.
Evaluation
Participants will have access to the evaluation after attendance has been verified. Evaluations will be available for one (1) week after the workshop has ended.
After one (1) week, participants will no longer have access to the evaluation and will have to contact CPE about reactivation.
