Jordan (they/them) and Alex (she/her) have been together for five years and recently opened their relationship. Alex quickly found joy in dating other people, thriving in a kitchen table polyamory dynamic where she envisions a connected, supportive polycule. Jordan, however, prefers parallel polyamory—keeping relationships more separate—and feels overwhelmed by the expectation to bond with Alex’s new partner.

Lately, their conversations have turned into tense debates, with Alex feeling like Jordan is shutting out an important part of her life, while Jordan struggles with guilt for needing more space. They both love each other deeply but worry they may be too different to make this work.

In therapy, Jordan and Alex begin to unpack their fears, communication patterns, and the underlying emotions driving their conflict. With guidance, they explore compromise, boundary-setting, and ways to honor each other's needs without resentment. Therapy helps them move from frustration to understanding, strengthening their connection while respecting their individual polyamorous identities.

Daniel (he/him) and Amir (he/him) love each other deeply, but their different levels of outness have created tension in their relationship. Daniel, raised in an accepting family, is comfortable being affectionate in public and openly talks about their relationship with friends and colleagues. Amir, however, comes from a conservative family where being out isn’t an option—he carefully curates his social media presence and avoids anything that could reveal his sexuality to his relatives.

Daniel feels hurt and rejected when Amir hesitates to hold his hand in public, while Amir wrestles with guilt, torn between his love for Daniel and his fear of being outed. Their conversations often spiral into frustration, leaving them both feeling unheard and misunderstood.

Therapy provides a space where they can explore their experiences, express their needs without blame, and find compromises that honor both of their realities. With support, they can strengthen their relationship, improve communication, and build a future where they both feel secure and valued.

If you and your partner or polycule are navigating challenges, therapy can help you find balance, connection, and understanding. Book a therapy session today.

** These vignettes are inspired by real experiences but are fictional composites, ensuring confidentiality while reflecting common themes faced by the LGBTQ+ community.