How to Deal with Jealousy in an Open Relationship? Best Online Open Relationship Counseling.

An open relationship requires a mutual agreement between both parties.

Open relationships can cause high levels of anxiety, jealousy, and resentment, and possibly anxious attachment in an open relationships.

These are natural human emotions. If you are unhappy in an open relationship and are having a challenge managing or communicating feelings of jealousy to your partner.

There are ways to overcome and manage your feelings of jealousy more effectively.

how to deal with jealousy in open relationship

How do I find an online specialist in open relationship counseling?

There are various methods of dealing with challenges in an open relationship. Feelings of jealousy, anger, or sadness are entirely normal in any relationship. However, it is important to learn how to manage, soothe and communicate these feelings to your partner.

With BetterHelp, you can find a specialist who is experienced in counseling for open relationships, at the click of a button. BetterHelp specialists in open relationships are experienced, trained, and certified, having successfully helped many couples with similar challenges overcome and manage more effectively.

Finding a therapist through BetterHelp takes less than five minutes. Simply fill out this questionnaire carefully, honestly, and as accurately as you can. Shortly after answering the questionnaire, we will match you with the most eligible and skilled therapists that can help you overcome jealousy in an open relationship.

With BetterHelp online therapy and counseling, you have the option of choosing your specialist, as well as the advantage of switching therapists if you at any point feel dissatisfied or uncomfortable.

BetterHelp healing from the comfort of your home.

Get matched with a Betterhelp online specialist for open relationship counseling.

Effective, convenient, and affordable online sessions. Start by filling out this survey in its entirety.

get started

Online open relationship counseling is affordable, effective, and convenient. You will have direct access to your chosen counselor at anytime and can plan, schedule, and conduct your sessions based on your ability and preference.

What is an open relationship?

An open relationship is defined under the larger category of non-monogamous relationships.

It is a mutually consensual agreement between two partners where one or both partners can pursue more than one sexual partner.

Open relationships differ from polyamory and swinging. In an open relationship, both partners are allowed to pursue and maintain multiple other sexual, or physical relationships with more than one person, given that the relationship remains casual.

Swinging; partners often engage in sexual activity with multiple people at parties or events and prefer to keep that encounter outside the main relationship. Polyamorous relationships work based on pursuing multiple emotional connections and relationships with other people.

Despite the controversy around open relationships and the stigma that, “open relationships don’t work”. A study done that revealed that one in five people have been in an open relationship at some point in their lives. The statistics also showed that the majority were young people that preferred open relationships or non-monogamous relationships in comparison to the older crowds.

Why do people get into open relationships?

From teenage years, a lot of people become accustomed to the idea of eventually ending up in a monogamous relationship. While others explore polyamory, polygamy, and different types of open relationships. Many people explore open relationships for many different reasons. It could be in a marriage where a couple is trying to explore different avenues, some may want the experience. Others might do it as a suggestion from a partner or due to circumstances.

Understanding polyamory vs open relationship?

In a polyamorous relationship, both parties are allowed to pursue emotional connections with multiple people outside of the main relationship.

That is the difference between an open relationship and a polyamorous relationship. When it comes to an open relationship, both parties upon mutual agreement and consent or allowed to have multiple connections or sexual experiences and interactions with other people outside of the main relationship as long as these connections and experiences remain casual.

All types of relationships come with their own set of challenges, jealousy, feelings of attachment, and sometimes frustration may come with an open relationship. It is important to keep in mind that you will still have emotions and feelings towards the other person or people.

Do you feel as though in your open relationship you may be experiencing an unhealthy amount of jealousy? Are you struggling to manage your emotions healthily and effectively? It could be in your best interest to connect with a counselor to help you further understand how to manage and overcome jealousy or other emotions in an open relationship.

Understanding the pros and cons of being in an open relationship.

Do open relationships work?

There will always be challenges, as well as pros and cons. In an open relationship, those pros and cons can look very different. However, if you are contemplating pursuing an open relationship or wanting to reassess your current open relationship, the best way is to create a pros and cons list. This will help you figure out how to make an open relationship work.

Common pros and cons of an open relationship:

Pros

Open and direct communication about wants and needs
The freedom of self-expression
Exploring new versions of yourself
Different and exciting sexual experiences
Less pressure to fulfill or satisfy a partner’s emotional or sexual needs/desires

Cons

Sexually transmitted diseases or infections
Risk of unplanned pregnancy
Potential of sex addiction or loss of libido or sexual interest
The emotional damage of seeing an intimate partner with another
The risk of becoming extremely jealous, low self-esteem and confidence

There are benefits and pitfalls of pursuing an open relationship. On the one hand, you may have an experience that brings you satisfaction and freedom, or you could potentially risk having a whirlwind of negative emotions and regret.

How to deal with jealousy in an open relationship?

They are several potential pitfalls with an open relationship if you were raised in a monogamous household and became accustomed to the idea of being in a monogamous relationship.

Exploring an open relationship can cause intense feelings of jealousy as well as insecurity and vulnerability within the relationship. However, there is a way to manage and cope with jealousy in an open relationship. It just requires very hard work, persistence and the guidance of a professional counselor that can help you understand and manage jealousy in an open relationship.

Helping yourself overcome and manage jealousy in an open relationship:

Understand, respect, and communicate how you feel.
If you’re feeling obsessively jealous, try to distract yourself a bit. Go out for a walk or do something that you love to take your mind off of things.
Ask yourself questions about how you feel before you spiral out of control.
Boost your self-esteem. Going to the gym or taking a dancing class can make you feel empowered and more confident.
Comparison is the thief of joy. Avoid camping yourself to the other person.
Reassure and reaffirm yourself. Remind yourself why your partner loves you, highlight your best qualities and focus on that.
Jealousy can be productive. Small amounts of jealousy can remind you that you care about the other person, and remind yourself why you’re with them.
Discuss it as a couple. Suppressing feelings of jealousy will only make it worse. Communication is crucial.
Point out and address any boundary violations.
Revisit and discuss the rules again.

If at any point you feel as though your needs are being met or your boundaries aren’t respected, it’s okay to close an open relationship or end it. It is important to put your feelings first and be sure that your needs are being met and respected. Counseling for an open relationship can help you manage and cope with the challenges in your relationship.

How does Online open relationship counseling work?

In online counseling for an open relationship, you have the advantage of conducting counseling sessions from your home. You have the option of doing sessions with or without your partner. Giving you the freedom to express your thoughts and feelings in a safe environment. Online open relationship counseling is convenient, affordable, and effective. Dealing with jealousy in an open relationship can be hard, sharing the burden with a counselor will make it easier to manage.

How will Online open relationship counseling help me manage my emotions?

It’s important to understand and acknowledge that your feelings are normal and valid. Counseling for an open relationship will help you further understand how to deal with jealousy in an open relationship. Identify the pros and cons of an open relationship, learn how to overcome anxious attachment in an open relationship, and how to make an open relationship work.

If you have any questions about open relationships that may need professional advice, a counselor for open relationships is your best option.