Sex and Intimacy

Many couples struggle with sex and intimacy issues.

Sex and intimacy are such an essential part of relationships and very important to a thriving relationship. Unfortunately, for various reasons, many relationships are not thriving.

Most of us did not receive instruction on how to please our partner or how the body acts and responds to intimacy. In school, most of us were only taught sex education about contraceptives, changes in our bodies, and pregnancy.

Many relationships suffer from problems such as erectile dysfunction, the woman’s or man’s insecurity, or a man’s insecurity in the bedroom, or hearing harsh comments from their partner, making them feel bad and causing them to avoid sex and intimacy.

I believe we can come from religions that cause us to feel uncomfortable with sex or shamed when it comes to intimacy and pleasure. All these factors can contribute to intimacy challenges.

Developing a thriving relationship is possible.

When we have healthy intimacy and a vibrant sex life, our relationship can thrive, criticism can decrease, conflict can decline, kindness toward our partner increases, we touch each other with endearment, become excited with our partner, and gain an emotional connection.

Sex and intimacy therapy can help couples work through issues that prevent true closeness between each other. First and foremost, we must identify these issues and then provide couples with the necessary help to improve their communication skills and instill solid trust.

In sex and intimacy counseling, we will do an assessment first with both people in the relationship. This assessment will involve a sex quiz to help me see where you are. Then, I will provide sex education on pleasure and identify when a female becomes fully aroused and can reach orgasm.

Many of us learned from either experience how to pleasure our partner, word of mouth from friends, porn, or maybe a parent. Counseling from an experienced professional helps couples learn new ways to pleasure, improve their sex life, and have closer intimacy with each other.

The benefits of intimacy, making love, and sex are endless.

There is a physiological response to sex and intimacy. When intimacy and making love happen more frequently, orgasms release endorphins, which are brain chemicals that can make people feel good. Endorphins can directly cause pleasure and reduce pain. During an orgasm, the brain also releases other hormones that can contribute to feelings of happiness and well-being, including Oxytocin. This hormone can act as a natural painkiller and increase happiness and mood. It can also help people feel less stressed and more connected to others.

During sex, other chemicals are released, including the following: 1) Dopamine, the “feel good” chemical; 2) Serotonin, a hormone that helps regulate mood; and 3) Prolactin, which benefits the immune system and may help fight cancer and disease. Orgasms can increase blood flow, stimulate collagen production, and give skin a flushed look.

The lateral orbitofrontal cortex, responsible for reason, decision-making, and value judgments, becomes less active during sex. This deactivation may also help decrease fear and anxiety. Orgasms release endorphins (feel-good hormones), so you might feel sleepy, relaxed, and happy afterward. Orgasms can activate regions of the brain associated with relief from pain and stress or help them go to sleep.

It is possible to improve intimacy and your sex life.

Having an active sex life enhances intimacy and helps improve a couple’s relationship and life. I have many tools in my toolbox that can help to improve your relationships. For instance, I will introduce sex toys, arousal creams, and demonstrations of the genitals to educate each partner to please one another.

I can also support clients who need to know how to please others. It doesn’t have to be for couples; it can be individualized sessions for them to be able to apply it to partners they have sex with.

Talk therapy, also known as psychotherapy or counseling, with a focus on sexual health, is another tool I use. It can help you reconnect with yourself and your partner sexually and strengthen relationships.

I can also work with individuals or partners to help them resolve sexual difficulties, such as performance anxiety or intimacy issues. Lastly, I help couples communicate about desire discrepancy, voice their wants and needs, and find common ground in their relationship.

Therapy can help make your intimacy and sex life more fulfilling. If you want to learn more about how I can help, please get in touch with me today.