Welcome to the Sexual Health Alliance’s Consensual Non-Monogamy Certification Program! We are so glad you’re here. This is an exclusive certificate program in monogamy and consensual non-monogamy taught by the Sexual Health Alliance and Dr. Elisabeth Sheff, one of a handful of global academic experts on polyamory, and the foremost academic expert on children in polyamorous families. You will also hear from other expert contributors and premier leaders in the sexuality field.

Our Consensual Non-Monogamy Certification Program consists of a holistic approach to alternative and diverse relationships. This program is based in a sex-positive framework that works to reduce sexual shame. This program provides you the training necessary to assist your clients journey through and towards non-monogamy and polyamorous relationships. In this program, you will learn the tool to help clients develop hearty support systems, healthy coping skills, and work to enact positive change in their lives. Additionally, this certification program asks you to examine and reflect on your own relationship biases.

WHO IS THIS PROGRAM FOR?

This program is for all professionals, therapists, educators, counselors, coaches, healers, and anyone interested in learning more about different types of relationships. Put simply, all are welcome. From college or graduate students or lifelong learners to helping professionals and novices, all can gain from this program. 

Some of the Consensual Non-Monogamy Certification students are also students of another SHA certification program, thanks to SHA’s programs being self-guided. Another portion of the CNM students is made of  SHA alumni. 

Because this program offers the collaborative tools and background you need to help clients and/or patients in designer and flexible relationships, you can expand your sexuality business and reach more people. From relationships styles like monogamish and open to poly+ and swinging, you will have a full and positive picture the bring into your practices.

TUITION COSTS OF SHA’S CONSENSUAL NON-MONOGAMY CERTIFICATE PROGRAM

At the Sexual Health Alliance, we believe education should be accessible to everyone. We understand that furthering your education is expensive, which is why we’ve done our best to keep costs as low as possible. Students of our Consensual Non-Monogamy Certification Program have the option to pay their tuition in full or spread over nine (9) months. Please know, this payment plan includes interest. Additionally, we offer yearly scholarships to BIPOC individuals.

As a student in any of our certificate programs, you receive generous discounts on all future experiences like two-day conferences or summits, certain Sexual Attitude Reassessments, and more!

REGISTRATION COST & PAYMENT PLANS:

THIS COHORT is open now, gain access today

Earn 97 hours (AASECT CEs* and CEUs)

Although some portions are live, all CEs will be awarded asynchronously. It is the student’s responsibility to confirm SHA or AASECT CEUs are accepted for their state license.

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CONSENSUAL NON-MONOGAMY CERTIFICATION PROGRAM CORE CURRICULUM

If accepted, you will receive access to the previous modules. Each module builds on the previous, expanding your knowledge to gain a full picture. The syllabus resembles this: 

Module 1: Introduction to Polyamory and CNM
- Can being in a poly relationship really work?
- Reasons to be in a poly or CNM relationship(s)
- History of poly

Module 2: Starting Out
- Finding your community, finding partners
- Common mistakes
- Structures of new relationships

Module 3: Hot & Heavy
- How to negotiate, how to set boundaries
- Making safe-sex agreements
- Dealing with jealousy

Module 4: Daily Life
- Paid vs unpaid work
- Managing time and money
- Renegotiating 

Module 5: Relationship Challenges
- Managing conflict and power dynamics
- Dealing with consent violations
- Why polyamory might be upsetting

Module 6: Giving Thanks for Poly Family Support
- Defining members in a polyaffective family
- Coming out
- Polyaffective marriages

Module 7: It Takes a (Polyaffective) Village
- Parenting, coming out as poly as a parent
- Poly-pregnancy
- Dealing with family, friends, coworkers, and school

Module 8: New Beginnings in Later Life
- Aging body and mind
- Retiring and CNM
- Shifting relationships

Module 9: Love Makes a Family and a Culturally Competent Practitioner
- Evolving relationships with family
- Impact of CNM/poly on raising children
- How have elders maintained long term relationships? 

Module 10: Interacting with Institutions
- Legal issues
- Medical institution tips
- Dealing with discrimination

Module 11: This is the End
- Breaking up
- Death and dying
- Addressing grief

Module 12: Resilience and Lessons Learned
- Fostering resilience
- Best practices for therapists
- Moving forward

Throughout the modules are places for discussion and different course assignments. You will be asked to engage in discussion boards on the online platform along with other short writing assignments, reading reflections, and, of course, participation in the live webinars. Successful completion of this program entails completing the readings and assignments, attendance at the live online lectures (or by watching the recording), and turning in your final project, a book review on any polyamorous/consensual non-monogamy related topic, which all students will present at the end of the program.

WHAT’S INCLUDED IN THE CONSENSUAL NON-MONOGAMY CERTIFICATE PROGRAM

As is the Sexual Health Alliance’s purpose, our programs are filled Throughout the Consensual Non-Monogamy program, you will journey, at your own pace, through four, rigorous modules while having ample opportunities to attend live case consultations and special topic webinars. Should you miss a live session, you can watch the recording! From this program, you can expect: 

• Specialized and pace-accessible online learning platform

• Llive webinars with Q+A led by Dr. Elisabeth Sheff

• Monthly case consultations with Dr. Elisabeth Sheff

• Monthly special topic recorded webinars with expert contributors 

• Specialized SHA Certification in Consensual Non-Monogamy

Alongside these specific inclusions, this certification program provides a wealth of relevant research, articles, stories, interviews, and discussions to aid in your study. Each module contains several pieces to read and reflect on as well as various helpful and inspiring videos and activities to make this educational journey a worthwhile one.

WHAT CAN I DO WITH A CONSENSUAL NON-MONOGAMY CERTIFICATE?

Our Consensual Non-Monogamy Certificate Program, which consists of 12 online modules and 40+ hours of live webinars and special topic conversations, is for professionals, therapists, educators, counselors, coaches, healers, and anyone interested in learning more about different types of relationships. For those just starting out in the sexuality field, this program provides a specific overview to narrow your path. For those who already have a sexuality business or practice, a specialization in consensual non-monogamy can expand your reach, gather new clients, and charge a higher fee.

You can also use this program to apply towards your AASECT renewal or AASECT certification. Gain up to 64 AASECT CEs to apply towards their certification.

MEET YOUR PROGRAM CO-LEADER: DR. ELISABETH SHEFF

Dr. Elisabeth Sheff is one of a handful of global academic experts on polyamory, and the foremost academic expert on children in polyamorous families. Specializing in diversity and underserved populations, Sheff is an expert witness, relationship consultant, public speaker, and author. Her first book, The Polyamorists Next Door: Inside Multiple-Partner Relationships and Families (2014 hardback and ebook, 2015 paperback and audiobook), details Sheff’s findings from the first 15 years of the Polyamorous Families Study. Stories from the Polycule: Real Life in Polyamorous Families (2015), Sheff’s second book, is an edited collection of stories from people in polyamorous families. Sheff’s third book, When Someone you Love is Polyamorous: Understanding Poly People and Relationships, is a brief introduction to polyamory using empirical evidence to start a conversation.

With a PhD in Sociology, Sheff is a pioneer of the academic study of polyamory. Sheff has also published over 20 peer-reviewed articles and chapters in academic journals and books. She has taught at the University of Colorado, University of Montana, Georgia State University, Oglethorpe, and Emory University. 

Dr. Sheff has given scores of radio, podcast, print, and television interviews with sources from The New York Times, ABC News, and CNN to The Atlantic, New York and Shape magazines. She has appeared on National Geographic Television’s Taboo and Sunrise, a morning show in Australia. As a blogger for Psychology Today, Sheff makes academic research easily accessible to everyone.

OTHER EXPERT CONTRIBUTORS

The experts that help contribute to our Consensual Non-Monogamy Certification Program are leaders in the alternative sexuality community including therapists, educators, coaches, and writers that will offer a diverse viewpoint on problem sexual behavior. In this program, you will learn what it means to be an ally and how to progress the dialogue forward in your community. Some of the other contributors to this program include:

• Dr. David Ley

• Dr. Meg-John Barker

• Kitty Chambliss

• Sr. Zelaika Hepworth Clarke

• Elizabeth Duke

• Bethany Stevens

• Ruby Bouie Johnson

• Diana Adams, ESQ

• Kathy Labriola

In addition to the live webinars with those incredible instructors, this CNM certification program offers monthly special topic live webinars with other credible and excerpt contributors and special guests. In this program, you will hear from:  

• Jim Fleckenstein

• Lexi Sylver

• Dr. Sharon Flicker

• Tamara Pincus

• Dr. Daniel Cardoso

• Elaine Sheff, Clinical Herbalist, RH (AHG)

• Chrissy Holman

• Kenneth R. Haslam

• Dr. Apryl Alexander

• Tikva Wolf

• Cindy Trawinski, PSYD 

• Danielle Carlson, LMFT

• Daniel Capulsky

PREVIOUS CONFERENCES AND GUEST SPEAKERS

We are passionate about sharing and spreading current, sex-positive knowledge which is why the Sexual Health Alliance is committed to offering regular, two-day conferences on a wide variety of topics and many expert presenters. Some of our recent conferences include BodySex experts, teaching us the basics of Betty Dodson’s revolutionary exercises, Doctor Michael Vigorito leading a conversation on problem sexual behavior, and even the first student-run and student-lead conference. Like the topics themselves, our guest speakers range in professions, ensuring all perspectives are contributed to our curriculum. 

We are lucky to have some of the top professors and lecturers in the world! Many of our presenters have lectured at prestigious Universities including USC, UCLA, Princeton, The Kinsey Institute, Harvard University, the University of Texas at Austin, Texas State University, and more. Many of them have been featured on Anderson Cooper, Dr. Phil, The Doctors, LoveLine, WE tv’s “Sex Box” and Logo tv’s “Bad Sex,” The Today Show, VICE, CNN, HLN, OWN, Nightline, Katie Couric, Dr. Drew and in Newsweek, New York Times, Daily Beast, Men's Health, Cosmo, and National Geographic, LA Times and the London Telegraph, Playboy and Hustler magazines. More information can be found here.

WHY SHA’S CONSENSUAL NON-MONOGAMY CERTIFICATION PROGRAM?

WHAT MAKES SHA best in class?

The Sexual Health Alliance (SHA) stands out as a leader in sexuality training because we connect you with the leading experts in the world. We build the most inclusive communities and offer support throughout the program with our original happy hours, mixers, Facebook groups, and in-person events with our sexceptional weekend conferences, study abroad programs all over the world, SARs in Mexico and Jamaica and Sex Nerd Trivia. Finally, our latest specialized programs are accelerated, self paced, and are one of the only programs with the option to attend live monthly events with the leading voices and stars in the field.

Our programs are at the forefront of the field because we focus on progressive and comprehensive content presented through multiple channels so that no matter what kind of learner you are, you will become sexceptional at graduation.

SHA consists of professionals from every walk of life that go on to change the field and make a huge difference in their client’s lives. We support and encourage our students throughout the program and provide a wealth of areas to network. We love offering collaboration with our presenters and through our conferences as well—we want your education to be about you!

Since 2015, SHA has hosted over 5500 people at our events, while certifying sex therapists, counselors, educators, and coaches. We have been lucky enough to collaborate with many of the leading experts in sexuality and relationships. Throughout the year, SHA facilitates communication among sexual health providers through our signature workshops and conferences, special events, and social media. Our events and programming are intended to build community, spark dialogue and encourage collaboration.

We build communities that are well-informed and all-inclusive. We're dedicated to bringing the brightest minds and biggest game changers in sexual health to every area of the world. Join a program that’s more than watching videos and answering questions, join SHA and transform your career and make lifelong friends.

SHA’S STANCE ON “SEX ADDICTION”

SHA believes that we as therapists and educators need to challenge the concept of sexual addiction and explore a different model of sexuality. We do not support CSAT (Certified Sex Addiction Therapist) programs or agree that compulsive sexual behavior or problematic sexual behavior is empirically supported and do not promote the language we deem to be shaming.

We currently have 8 FREE video interviews on Rethinking Sex Addiction and OCSB on our blog here with the top couples and sex therapists in the world. We also have a full sex therapy, counselor, educator & consultant certification program currently 100% online where we delve deeper into this topic!

SHA also supports the American Association for Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT)’s stance on this topic. For more information, please read AASECT’s Position on Sex Addiction here.

OTHER SHA PROGRAMS

Not interested or not qualified to get your Kink Informed Certificate? Sexual Health Alliance offers a variety of programs:

We make it easy to become a certified SHA and AASECT sexuality professional. All programs are AASECT certified and provide 200+ AASECT CEs*. Start your dream career in sexuality today and finish your program(s) at your own pace, online, from anywhere!

*This program meets the requirements of the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT) and is approved for AASECT CE credits. These CE credits may be applied toward AASECT certification and renewal of certification. Completion of this program does not ensure or guarantee AASECT certification. For further information please contact ce@aasect.org.