One of the most common concerns we hear from couples is that intimacy has faded from their relationship. Whether due to stress, life changes, or simply falling out of the habit, many partners struggle with how to reignite their physical connection. When intimacy feels distant, the pressure to “fix” things quickly can feel overwhelming, but jumping straight back into sex isn’t always the best approach. Instead, we encourage couples to take a gradual, intentional path back to closeness through sensate focus activities.

As therapists, we often hear couples say, “I have a high sex drive, and they have a low sex drive. What do we do about this?” It’s a common concern, but the way it’s framed can be misleading. The terms “high” and “low” libido oversimplify something that is actually much more nuanced and dynamic.

Many people assume sex therapy is only for couples experiencing dysfunction, but in reality, it’s a space for any couple who wants to deepen their connection, explore intimacy, and navigate the natural changes that occur over time. Whether you're in a new relationship, facing a shift in your sex life, or simply wanting to improve communication around intimacy, sex therapy can offer guidance and support.

John and Julie Gottman’s research shows that successful relationships are built on the accumulation of small, everyday moments. These moments often come in the form of bids for connection, but they can be easy to overlook—especially when they’re subtle.

Let’s dive into the difference between emotional and physical bids, why they matter, and how you can start noticing and responding to them in ways that strengthen your bond.

Have you ever reached out to your partner—maybe with a joke, a gentle touch, or a simple question—only to feel ignored or brushed off? Or maybe your partner does this to you, and you don’t even realize it. These small moments may seem insignificant, but they hold the power to either strengthen or weaken your relationship over time.

Research shows that once your brain is flooded, it takes about 20 minutes to fully calm down and regain the ability to problem-solve effectively. That’s why one of the best tools couples can use during an argument is breathwork.

Conflict in relationships isn’t the problem—how we handle it is. When couples learn to pause, breathe, stay curious, and remain present, they can transform difficult conversations into opportunities for deeper understanding and connection.

As parents, we understand that the journey from childhood to adolescence seems fleeting—the days are long, yet the years are short. It feels like one moment we are watching our children take their first steps and then we are quickly learning to handle mood swings, friendships, and academic pressure. During their junior and senior years, navigating this transition well means balancing our desire to protect them with their need for increased independence which may mean they fail and then learn.