Alternative Relationship Therapy in Houston,TX

Our alternative relationship therapist specializes in helping couples to uncover what is keeping them stuck to resolve their relationship issues.

 

Does Your Relationship Color Outside The Lines?

Are you in a long-term relationship or marriage considered “unconventional” by society’s standards?

And do you and your partner(s) seek support from a nonjudgmental, culturally competent therapist who will affirm your lifestyle, identity, and experience?

Though partners of all backgrounds and orientations struggle with common relationship issues, it’s important for LGBTQIA+ and couples exploring alternative relationships—like ethical non-monogamy (ENM) and polyamory—to feel safe in the counseling space. While you and your partner may have decided that your “alternative” relationship could benefit from the perspectives of a skilled couples therapist, you may not feel like you can be fully open in therapy until you’re sure that a provider won’t judge or misunderstand you.

At Unload It Therapy, we welcome couples of all varieties. Our therapists value alternative relationships veering from monogamy and heteronormativity to promote an authentic, healing connection in the counseling space.

 

Unique Relationships Call For Unique Approaches

Every relationship faces its own unique hurdles—none of us are immune to communication issues, unhealthy attachments, and other common challenges that all couples experience. For couples in queer, nonbinary, polyamorous, open, or otherwise alternative relationships, however, certain elements can affect communication and the overall relationship dynamic. 

Every person, regardless of how they identify, longs to connect. Yet many of us were given unhealthy relationship models as children and with past partners, perpetuating patterns that ultimately cause friction or disconnection. If we come from backgrounds where our sexuality was shamed or rejected—which can be especially true among LGBTQIA+ and poly/ENM communities—we are likely to carry unresolved trauma into our intimate relationships, leading to communication issues and other stressors.

It takes great vulnerability to be open and aware in our relationships, yet vulnerability is often frowned upon within minority communities where there is an expectation of being strong and resilient in the face of adversity. We may inadvertently protect ourselves from feeling deeply and communicating authentically, ultimately creating more distance in our partnership(s). 

A couples therapist who honors an alternative, non-heteronormative viewpoint on relationships can be the key to healing the dynamic you’ve created together. By working with someone who speaks your language in therapy, you can focus on yourself and your partner(s) instead of having to translate all the time.

Why It’s Important To Seek A Poly-Friendly Therapist If You’re Polyamorous Or ENM

Relationship hurdles are compounded for couples who practice polyamory, open marriage, or ENM. Between navigating communication roadblocks and managing multiple relationships, this lifestyle can get overwhelming. You may be seeking support around feelings of guilt or jealousy, creating a mutual agreement, and balancing everyone’s needs, whether polyamory is new for your relationship or has been the norm for a while. 

At Unload It Therapy, our sex-positive, poly-friendly therapists are available to explore anything that keeps you from achieving harmony as a couple. 

Therapy That Supports Nontraditional Or Alternative Relationships

Let’s face it: if you identify as anything other than white, cis, straight, and monogamous, it’s likely that your lifestyle has been condemned by society in some way. And if you have sought out relationship or couples counseling in the past, you may have been paired with a clinician who lacked an understanding of your “alternative” lifestyle. We aim to create an affirming, culturally aware, and inclusive atmosphere from the get-go so that you can bring your most authentic, honest self to therapy.

Whether you’re a couple looking to explore kink and polyamory or an individual navigating alternative, non-heteronormative aspects of your identity, we value and celebrate relationships of all kinds at Unload It Therapy. 

Our Approach

A lot of what we do in therapy will help you recognize your own patterns, emotions, and role in the relationship dynamic. Working from an attachment perspective, your therapist will guide you in understanding where certain thoughts and beliefs originated so that you can better identify your pain. With this newfound insight, you will be able to communicate more effectively and self-soothe when distressed. 

Though we tailor alternative relationship counseling to the needs, identities, and desired outcomes of each couple or individual, we are likely to draw from Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), which was originally created as a marriage-specific model. EFT has been heavily researched and validated to treat couples of all kinds, however, as it focuses on individual emotions and experiences rather than universal heteronormative principles. In promoting emotional awareness, clients using EFT can develop skills for becoming unstuck from and changing unhealthy patterns. 

While your lifestyle might be considered “alternative” or “unconventional” by some standards, you nevertheless deserve support, affirmation, and healthy, fulfilling relationships. Working with our therapist, you can explore the kind of relationship(s) you want and gain the skills you need to get there. 

Still Unsure If Counseling At Unload It Therapy Is Right For You?

Can you actually work with the complexities of our ENM, polyamorous, or otherwise alternative relationship in therapy?

Absolutely. We understand that your relationship is not traditional by today’s standards, but our therapists look beyond the conventions of heteronormativity to consider alternative lifestyles and relationships. We view your relationship—and the people in it—with the utmost humanity. Furthermore, our providers are committed to ongoing education and training, sharpening our skills for treating clients in our community with the best, most culturally aware care available. 

Is the investment of therapy worth it?

You are worth an investment in yourself and your relationship(s). Making the time to commit to couples counseling—especially if you are in an ENM or polyamorous relationship—may seem like a lot now, but through positive interactions and improved communication, you will see therapy is worth the time, money, and energy. 

You Don’t Need To Stay Inside The Lines To Create A Beautiful Picture

At Unload It Therapy, we offer culturally aware relationship counseling to individuals and couples of all varieties, including those who identify as LGBTQIA+, polyamorous, ENM, or otherwise alternative.

 

Our services include:

Couples
Therapy

Our Houston couples therapy helps unmarried couples struggling with communication issues, concerns you’re growing apart, infidelity, the direction of the relationship, and more.

Marriage Counseling

Our Houston marriage counseling helps married couples struggling with feeling disconnected, miscommunication, betrayal, and more.

Premarital Counseling

Our Houston premarital counseling helps engaged couples build healthy relationship habits and communication skills, so can deepen your connection, explore relationship expectations, and more.

Discernment Counseling

Our Houston discernment counseling helps married and common-law partners safely examine your relationship and decide whether to separate or stay together, even if you’re not currently on the same page.

Ready to work on your relationship together?

Our BIPOC Houston couples therapists are here to help you and your partner overcome barriers and create the meaningful relationship you desire.

We currently offer in-person therapy in Houston, and virtual therapy throughout the states of Texas, California, Georgia, and Florida.

But you may have questions about our Houston couples counseling.

How long are couples therapy sessions, and what are they like?

Sessions typically last 90 minutes. 

Couples therapy at Unload It Therapy begins with a four-part assessment that includes two individual and two couples sessions. 

What is the difference between couples therapy and marriage counseling?

Couples therapy is typically for unmarried couples, no matter if they’ve been together a few months to years. Unmarried couples may have different focuses, goals, and challenges than married couples

However, whether you’re married or not, our trained therapists can help you work through and strengthen your relationship.

What is the difference between couples therapy and premarital counseling?

Premarital counseling focuses on helping engaged couples develop healthy communication skills and relationship habits, so they can start their marriage with a strong foundation.

Couples therapy focuses more on what issues, questions, concerns, or obstacles the couple is facing. Sessions help couples work through current or past issues to reconnect and strengthen their bond. Sessions are tailored to their specific situation and needs, and may include learning new communication skills and relationship habits.

Is couples therapy helpful if one or both of us is considering separating?

Therapy can help you work through concerns or questions about the future of your relationship, even if one or both people are thinking of separating.

Our discernment therapy is specifically designed to help couples decide whether to stay together or separate — even when both individuals are not on the same page.

Contact us, and our team of experts will help you identify the right therapy for you and your partner at this time.

What if we don’t know what kind of help we need?

You don’t need to know what type of help you need to reach out to us. We are here for you and will help you identify what type of support will best help you and your partner at this time.

From the Unload It Therapy Blog