Integrating Consensual Non-Monogamy in Counselor Education: Practical Guidelines and a Pilot Descriptive Study

Authors

• Yun-Zhuo (Zoey) Liu, Kent State UniversityFollow
• Lena Salpietro, Kent State University - Kent CampusFollow

Author ORCID Identifier

https://orcid.org/0009-0003-5778-6040

Author Biography

Yun-Zhuo (Zoey) Liu is a doctoral candidate at Kent State University and an adjunct professor. She is independently licensed in two states. She has served a diverse group of clients in college counseling, community crisis centers, schools, and private practice. She is currently conducting research on broaching and consensual non-monogamy. Her bilingual and international background gives her a unique perspective on diversity, equality, and inclusivity. Zoey’s research is grounded in her commitment to inclusion in the counseling field, social justice, and bridging the gap between research and practice.

Lena Salpietro, PhD, LPCC, NCC is an Assistant Professor in the Counselor Education and Supervision program at Kent State University. Her clinical background includes work in community mental health, college counseling centers, and private practice, with specialized experience supporting survivors of sexual assault, intimate partner violence, and stalking. She also has experience working with adolescents, college-aged adults, and adults experiencing depression, anxiety, grief, trauma, and life transitions. Her research focuses on gatekeeping and remediation practices in Counselor Education, the wellness and counseling experiences of LGBTGEQIAP+ individuals, and the experiences of counselors following the loss of a client to suicide.

Document Type

Article

Keywords

consensual non-monogamy, counselor education, counseling curricula, multicultural competence, social justice, attachment theory

Subject Area

Counseling, Counselor Education, Mental Health Counseling

Abstract

Consensual non-monogamy (CNM) is a prevalent and diverse relationship structure, yet mononormative assumptions persist in counselor training and practice, contributing to stigma and inadequate care. Research indicates that counselors’ CNM-specific knowledge and attitudes are critical to positive therapeutic outcomes (Schechinger et al., 2018), highlighting the need for clear guidance. In response, this paper presents Guidelines for Incorporating CNM in Counseling Curricula. Three domains are grounded in multicultural and social justice principles: foundational knowledge and terminology, challenging bias and promoting self-reflection, and application informed by attachment theory. Additionally, findings from a survey of counselor educators (N = 54) are presented. Results suggest that although counselor educators largely endorse addressing CNM in training, many report insufficiently preparing students to counsel CNM clients.

Public Significance Statement

This conceptual article offers practical guidance for incorporating consensual non-monogamy (CNM)–related content into counseling curricula and is complemented by findings from a pilot descriptive survey of counselor educators examining CNM-related curricular inclusion and assumptions about CNM and monogamy. This topic represents a significant gap in the counselor education literature. By integrating conceptual guidance with preliminary empirical evidence, the manuscript provides an initial examination of current training practices and aims to stimulate further research and more inclusive educational practices within the field.

Recommended Citation

Liu, Y., & Salpietro, L. (2026). Integrating Consensual Non-Monogamy in Counselor Education: Practical Guidelines and a Pilot Descriptive Study. Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision, 20(3). Retrieved from https://research.library.kutztown.edu/jcps/vol20/iss3/6