When One Partner Wants Polyamory and the Other Doesn’t
One of the most common challenges in alternative relationships is when partners don’t share the same vision. Maybe one partner is curious about polyamory, while the other longs for monogamy. This difference can feel threatening, but it doesn’t always mean the relationship is doomed.
In North Sydney and North Shore couples therapy, we often sit with couples facing this exact crossroads. The goal isn’t to “convince” one another — it’s to deeply understand what each partner is hoping for, fearing, and needing.
What’s Beneath the Desire (or Resistance)?
When one partner wants polyamory, it might reflect:
A longing for variety and exploration.
A belief that love can’t be contained in one relationship.
A need for authenticity in expressing their desires.
When the other resists, it often reflects:
Fear of abandonment or being “less than.”
A longing for deep focus and security.
Concern about navigating jealousy or change.
Both perspectives are valid. Therapy helps couples hear each other without collapsing into panic or defensiveness.
What Couples Therapy Offers in This Space
In our North Sydney and North Shore practice, couples learn to:
Differentiate values from fears. Is resistance about true incompatibility, or about anxiety that can be worked through?
Practice non-defensive dialogue. Holding space without rushing to solutions.
Explore creative relationship agreements. Not every relationship is strictly monogamous or fully polyamorous; there is a wide spectrum.
Couples Therapy North Sydney and North Shore
At The Embodied Mind Collective, we create space for couples to explore these tender conversations without pressure. You don’t have to figure it all out alone — therapy offers clarity, compassion, and new possibilities.
🌿 Explore our couples therapy services at www.theembodiedmind.com.au
