This is a guest post from our associate therapist Emily Webb. Emily's approach to therapy is warm and relational. She is passionate about healing religious and spiritual trauma, supporting LGBTQ people and families, addiction recovery, grief/illness and empowering women facing maternal mental health challenges. You can learn more about working with Emily from her therapist bio and this therapist interview....[ read more ]
Reviewed by Kathryn Vercillo, MA Psychology | Last Updated: November 2025 You understand your patterns. You can articulate exactly how your dismissive father or anxious mother shaped your approach to relationships. Maybe you have even read Attached, taken the quizzes, listened to the podcasts on your BART commute, and identified your attachment style with precision. Yet somehow, you keep finding...[ read more ]
Emotional boundaries are often the most subtle—and most essential—part of maintaining healthy open or polyamorous relationships. While physical boundaries (like time, touch, or space) are more tangible, emotional boundaries define your inner world: your values, your energy, your self-respect, and your emotional safety. In polyamorous dynamics, it’s easy for emotional boundaries to blur. You may feel pulled between multiple people’s...[ read more ]
It’s a question many clients bring into therapy—sometimes with quiet guilt, sometimes with urgency: What happens if I want polyamory and my partner doesn’t? This kind of desire mismatch can be deeply destabilizing, especially in long-term relationships. Maybe one partner is feeling the need for more freedom, expansion, or authenticity, while the other feels secure in monogamy. These differences don’t...[ read more ]
Jealousy is one of the most emotionally charged topics in relationships. It’s a word that can stir up shame, fear, defensiveness, or guilt—especially in polyamorous and non-monogamous dynamics, where freedom and trust are central values. Many people believe that if they were truly "evolved" or "secure," they wouldn’t feel jealous at all. But that’s not how emotions work—and it’s not...[ read more ]
Polyamory and other forms of ethical non-monogamy are often portrayed as progressive, inclusive, and liberatory. But for many queer and BIPOC individuals, the experience of navigating polyamory can still be deeply shaped by systemic oppression, cultural invisibility, and marginalization—even within communities that consider themselves open-minded. If you're queer and/or BIPOC and exploring non-monogamy, you may find yourself wrestling with layers...[ read more ]
For many people, the path to understanding their relationship orientation isn’t linear. You might be in a monogamous relationship but find yourself wondering about other possibilities. Or maybe you've always felt that monogamy doesn't quite fit—but you’re unsure whether that means you’re polyamorous, simply open to exploration, or somewhere else on the spectrum. It’s common to feel uncertainty, curiosity, even...[ read more ]
Setting boundaries is essential for maintaining healthy relationships, self-respect, and emotional well-being. When someone disregards your boundaries, it can lead to stress, resentment, and even toxic relationships. However, many people struggle to recognize boundary violations until they’ve already caused harm. Learn more about therapy for communication and boundaries Here are 35 clear signs that someone may be crossing your boundaries—emotionally,...[ read more ]
Boundaries and communication are two of the most critical components of healthy relationships, yet they are also among the most misunderstood. Many people struggle with setting clear personal boundaries, while others find it difficult to communicate their needs effectively. To clarify some of the most common concerns, we've gathered insights from therapists to answer frequently asked questions about boundaries and...[ read more ]
Many people struggling with codependency find themselves feeling anxious, overburdened, and emotionally drained by their relationships. They take on more than their fair share of responsibility, constantly trying to manage how others feel, anticipate needs, and prevent conflict. What many don’t realize is that perfectionism often plays a central role in this pattern—fueling an endless cycle of self-sacrifice, guilt, and...[ read more ]