Lecture overview
Mixed-orientation relationships have unique needs and challenges, especially when discovered later in life. Taking a refreshing, positive, and success-oriented approach, this presentation focuses on the essential communication skills, practical tools, and ethical considerations required for partners to successfully reinvent their relationships together.
Ideal for
- Couples navigating a mixed-orientation relationship.
- Counselors, therapists, and relationship coaches.
Core Knowledge Areas
Sexual orientation and gender identity
The needs, expectations, and identity-related changes partners may encounter, including when differences in orientation become known later in life.
Intimacy and family dynamics
Exploring shared values, personal autonomy, and relationship agreements that reflect the informed and voluntary choices of both partners.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this lecture, participants will be able to:
- Analyze the unique relational, systemic, and identity challenges that emerge when a partner's sexual orientation is disclosed later in life.
- Formulate positive, success-oriented communication strategies to assist couples in rewriting and restructuring their relationship agreements.
- Evaluate the clinical and ethical considerations required when providing counseling or support services to mixed-orientation couples.