Approximately 5% of people in the United States engage in some form of consensual non-monogamy (CNM; Archives of Sexual Behavior, 2018, 47, 1439). Therapists are becoming increasingly aware of the need to treat members of CNM relationships, including polyamorous relationships. To date, no research has been conducted and little has been written about applying existing couple therapy models normed on heterosexual, cisgender, monogamous relationships to CNM or polyamorous relationships. Emotionally focused therapy (EFT) is an empirically supported treatment for relationship distress that offers promise for working with polyamorous relationships due to the model's systemic and attachment theoretical foundations. We propose EFT is an ideal model for working with polyamorous relationships because of the focus on externalizing, interpersonal and intrapersonal emotional and experiential coherence, and the attachment bond. Building and sustaining multiple attachment relationships allows for the fulfilment of a diverse range of relational needs and wants as well as provides a secure base for individual and relational exploration. In this article, we first provide general information about polyamory and discuss the research on attachment theory and polyamory. We then provide a step-by-step conceptualization of how EFT therapists can expand the model to include extra-dyadic attachment relationships. In addition, we include specific ways in which the model would need to be adapted when working with polyamorous clients. We conclude with recommendations for EFT therapists working with polyamorous relationships.

中文翻译：

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使用情感聚焦疗法治疗多角恋关系

大约 5% 的美国人实行某种形式的双方同意的非一夫一妻制（CNM；性行为档案，2018, 47, 1439）。治疗师越来越意识到治疗 CNM 关系成员（包括多角恋关系）的必要性。迄今为止，还没有进行任何研究，也很少有文章介绍如何应用现有的以异性恋、顺性别、一夫一妻制关系为规范的夫妻治疗模式，以适应异性恋或多角恋关系。情感聚焦疗法（EFT）是一种基于经验的治疗关系困扰的疗法，由于该模型的系统性和依恋理论基础，它为处理多角恋关系提供了希望。我们认为 EFT 是处理多角恋关系的理想模型，因为它注重外化、人际和个人内部的情感和体验连贯性以及依恋纽带。建立和维持多种依恋关系可以满足各种关系需求和愿望，并为个人和关系探索提供安全的基础。在本文中，我们首先提供有关多元之爱的一般信息，并讨论依恋理论和多元之爱的研究。然后，我们提供了 EFT 治疗师如何扩展模型以包含额外二元依恋关系的分步概念。此外，我们还包括与多角恋客户合作时需要调整模型的具体方式。最后，我们为处理多角恋关系的 EFT 治疗师提出了建议。