Non Monogamy & Your Nervous System

Do you spiral when a partner is on a date with someone else?

Do you struggle to tune in to your own feelings about polyamory and feel numb, confused, or easily overwhelmed?

Are you navigating non monogamy with a history of trauma and/or abusive relationships?

Do you feel exhausted by your non-monogamy, even when everything is going great?Have you ever felt like things in your polycule are spiraling ‘out of control’ and you want to jettison the heck out of there?

If you answered yes to any of the above, then this workshop is for you!

In this workshop we will be learning more about how trauma and protective responses in the nervous system impact our polyamorous relationships, practising somatic skills for working with these, and growing a foundation for nervous system resilience skills that can support open relationships and much more.

What we’ll be covering:
- An overview of what Somatics is and where it comes from- Nervous system activation, and how to recognise it

- Common examples of nervous system activation in Non Monogamous relationships- Self Protection responses and how they can impact our relationships

- Embodied practices for honouring self protection impulses

- Growing our individual resilience and windows of capacity.
This workshop will be 3 1/2 hours long, interactive, and will have a 15 minute break mid way.
There will not be a recording, but resources will be sent out to all registered participants afterwards.

FAQ
Is this a Non-Monogamy intro workshop?
No, but it’s totally fine to attend if you are still quite new to Non-Monogamy. If you’re looking for an overview to help you get started in NM check out my Honest Non Monogamy Essentials course here.
Do I have to be polyamorous to attend?

No! This class will be centering polyamorous relationship experiences, but these practices can be applied to other relationship situations as well, including swinging, monogamy, and repair work after infidelity.

Do I have to be able bodied to attend?

All abilities are welcome. I live with a chronic illness (long covid/me/cfs) and have a deep appreciation of how illness and disability can impact the capacity we have. Whilst there will be invitations to participate in gentle physical movement, adaptations and alternatives for all ability levels will be offered, and as a participant you always remain at choice with your participation.

Will this help with complex trauma?

Yes and no. The more complex our trauma and the longer we have lived with it, the more work there can be to really work with it in a meaningful way. However, you may find that the skills we practice together and the tools you learn in this class can support you in relating to your trauma experience in new ways, and absolutely will provide a foundation for you if you want to pursue Somatic Experiencing work with a qualified practitioner.

About Mel
Mel Cassidy is relationship coach and sex-positive nerd who works with queer and questioning people — and those who love them — who are exploring and practising honest, open relationships. A proud member of the LGBTQIA+Community and co-founder of the Solo Polyamory facebook group, Mel has been sharing and teaching about non-monogamy for over a decade. Creator of The Monogamy Detox course, they are dedicated to creating somatically-integrated and trauma-sensitive spaces where all can flourish.

Mel holds certifications in counselling for intimacy and relationship, somatic movement (Hanna Somatics) and is working towards completion of their training as a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner.
They are of mixed Irish, Greek, and Khorokhane Romani descent and a long term visitor on the traditional territories of the K'omoks Nation. Mel's first book, Radical Relating, will be coming in late 2025 from North Atlantic Books.

Follow Mel on Facebook/Instagram/InsightTimer @radicalrelating

www.radicalrelationshipcoaching.ca

www.monogamydetox.com

Host or Publisher Mel Cassidy