This in-person training with Elisabeth Sheff, PhD, CSE offers 6 CEs.

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This day-long course explains the distinct but often overlapping relational styles of consensual nonmonogamy and BDSM/kink. It begins with an overview of BDSM in which Dr. Eli breaks down the acronym, introduces and defines some key terms, explains the importance of consent and some of the complexities associated with it, and describes some of the most common types of interactions that “kinksters” negotiate in their intimate “play sessions.” Next Dr. Eli identifies the most common forms of consensual nonmonogamy (CNM) people currently practice in the United States, and explains how, when, and why they work or malfunction for various kinds of people. In the third mini-session, Dr. Eli distinguishes between intimate partner violence (IPV) and BDSM, explaining how the two differ before, during, and after the interactions, as well as the tricky middle ground when IPV and BDSM intersect. After lunch, Dr. Eli explores the ways in which CNM can go wrong, including weaponized communication patterns, differential expectations, double standards, and a variety of unintentional mistakes that impact CNMsters. This course ends with an examination of polyamorous families with children using a life-course model, including family formation, having/adopting kids, parenting, children’s experiences, aging, and death. Participants will be able to ask questions across the day, and there will be time for discussion.

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Dr. Elisabeth “Eli” Sheff is a researcher, expert witness, coach, speaker, and educational consultant. With a PhD in Sociology and certification as a Sexuality Educator from AASECT, Dr. Eli specializes in gender and sexual minority families, consensual non-monogamy, and kink/BDSM. Sheff is the foremost academic expert on polyamorous families with children, and her 30+ year Polyamorous Family Study is the only longitudinal study of poly families with children to date. Dr. Eli has taught at the University of Colorado, University of Montana, Georgia State University, Oglethorpe, Emory, University of Tennessee, and the University of Zurich. Sheff is co-editor of a series of books on diverse sexualities, genders, and relationships with Bloomsbury Publishing. In collaboration with colleagues, Dr. Eli developed The Bonding Project, a test people can take to explore their preferred bonding styles.

In addition to the more than 30 peer-reviewed journal articles and chapters Dr. Eli has written, she has also published four books and is working on more. Sheff’s first book, The Polyamorists Next Door (2014 hardback and ebook, 2015 paperback and audiobook), details the findings of the first 15 years of her research on polyamorous families with children. Her second book, Stories from the Polycule (2015), is an edited anthology of writings by polyamorous folks. When Someone You Love is Polyamorous (2016) is Sheff’s short book that guides family members and significant others who are trying to understand a polyamorous loved one. Children in Polyamorous Families (2020) is Dr. Eli’s newest book, a brief summary of her findings on children to date. Sheff blogs for Psychology Today at The Polyamorists Next Door. 

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• Early bird discount is valid through 5 September 2026.
• Check-in opens at 8:30 am.
• Breakfast and lunch buffets will be provided, including gluten-free and vegetarian options.
• If you are a member of NHAMFT and a pre-clinical fellow (post-grad / pre-licensure), please email Christine before registering to obtain the contributor rate.

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REGISTRATION FAQs:

• You must have an AAMFT account, even if you are not a member, in order to register. Creating an account is free and can be done at the beginning of registration. This account will be used to access your CE certificate after the training. 
• The registration system will automatically assign you to the correct registrant category. If you believe your category is assigned in error, please contact Christine before completing your registration.
• If you do not have any form of membership with AAMFT, you are a non-member. 
• CEs are provided through AAMFT and are valid for all licenses covered by the Board of Mental Health in the state of NH. CEs are also valid for LMFTs in these additional states: ME, VT, MA, CT, RI