No. Coaching is a non-clinical service focused on practical, present-day goals. There's no assessment, diagnosis, or treatment, and it isn't covered by insurance.

ENM coaching · Online, anywhere

There's no one right way to open a relationship. Let's find yours.

Q: Can I do coaching if I'm a current or former client or supervisee?

No. To keep our roles clear, coaching isn't available to current or former therapy clients or supervisees. If you're a current client, let's talk about it in session.

Coaching for individuals and couples exploring ethical non-monogamy or opening a relationship together. Also for polycules working through transitions and new chapters. It's practical, forward-looking, and grounded: getting clear on what you actually want, building agreements that hold up in real life, and finding language for the conversations no one taught you how to have.

I'm non-monogamous myself, so I know this terrain from the inside, not just from books. I also bring more than 15 years as a relationship therapist (LMFT). That experience shapes how I listen and how I help people talk with each other; in coaching, we put it to work on what you want next.

By secure video, wherever you live: across the U.S. and internationally.

Allison Medford smiling in an armchair by a sunlit window

What coaching is

Grounded in the present and oriented toward where you're headed, rather than a deep dive into the past.
Hands-on work with the real material: agreements, boundaries, jealousy, time and energy, and those first conversations with new partners.
For individuals, couples, and polycules.
As often as you need it: ongoing check-ins, a few sessions around a change, or a single session when something comes up.

What coaching isn't

Therapy. There's no assessment, diagnosis, or treatment of any mental health condition.
Covered by insurance. Coaching is private-pay only, and superbills aren't available.
A substitute for mental health care or crisis support. If you're in crisis, call or text 988 in the U.S., or your local emergency number.

A hand reaching for colored pencils in a mug during a session

What we might work on

Whatever brings you here, we'll start with what's real for you.

Jealousy & hard feelingsCompersionOpening upAgreements & renegotiationTime & energyRelationship structureTalking with partnersNew partners

You set the agenda, and we'll build from there.

A snake plant beside books including Polysecure and The Ethical Slut on a marble console

A note on boundaries

My training as a licensed therapist shapes how I listen, but here I'm your coach, not your therapist. Coaching has its own agreement and fees, separate from my therapy practice, and it isn't available to current or former therapy clients or supervisees. If what you're carrying starts to call for therapy, I'll tell you honestly and help you find a licensed therapist where you live.

Coaching isn't a health-care service, so it isn't covered by HIPAA the way therapy is. I still hold our work to the same confidentiality and ethics standards I follow as a therapist, and the coaching agreement spells out the details.

Coaching FAQ

Before you reach out

What does coaching cost, and how long are sessions?

Individual sessions are 60 minutes, and sessions for couples and polycules are 75; prices are in the At a glance box above. The first 15-minute consultation is complimentary.

Is it a package or session by session?

Either. You can book session by session, or choose a 4-session package for couples and polycules ($830). Many people come for a handful of sessions around a specific change, then check in as things shift. Others prefer ongoing sessions, or a single session when something comes up.

Can partners or metamours join?

Yes. Partners and metamours can join for some sessions or all of them; sessions with more than one person are 75 minutes.

What time zone are you in?

I'm on Pacific time (Portland, Oregon). I work with people across the U.S. and internationally, and we'll find a time that works across time zones.