Foreplay Radio – Couples and Sex Therapy

What sexual cues turn women on? Here's a hint—interest is sexy! 32% of women lack sexual interest, according to a research study by Meston & McCall, “Cues Resulting in Sexual Desire for Women.” The study found that increased sexual cues resulted in increased frequency for females. In this episode, we'll talk about the many cues that trigger a woman's desire!  Female sexual desire has a more emotional component to it; Women are more externally triggered in relationship factors and setting; connection and presence. What kind of cues increase her desire? Let's get specific. In this episode, Laurie and George break down the cues from the study: emotional bonding cues, erotic/explicit cues, visual/proximity cues, and romantic/implicit cues.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's episode, Laurie is joined by Urologist and men's health expert Dr. Dan Khera-McRackan of Raleigh, NC. Men of varied ages experience issues with premature ejaculation, erectile dysfunction and prostate health. Dr. Dan joins us today to reassure men and provide confidence in seeking treatment for these issues. He explains how hormones impact male anatomy, that anxiety is often a driver of ED and successful ways to break this cycle including medicine and psychotherapy. While these experiences may be temporarily embarrassing with treatment, support and communication they are often easily resolved and improve relationship health. They warn against ignoring these issues because you may be feeling embarrassed as they could be indicators of underlying health conditions. Both experts recommend that men seek treatment early and begin having regular prostate checks at age 45. Laurie reminds men, "Don't rest, get the test!"  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In our world with its focus on physical perfection, we all have aspects of our body which we criticize, and even avoid looking at in the mirror. These critical thoughts can intrude before, during, and after sex, diminishing our ability to be in the moment with our partner. We talk through this thorny issue as an example of how to begin to address it with your partner.Check out our sponsor: ⁠Uberlube⁠ for the best in siilcone-based lubricants! As George says, silicone makes everything is a little bit better. Get 10% off with the coupon code 'foreplay'! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's episode, we are joined by couple therapy expert and EFT trainer Rebecca Jorgensen. We discuss ways to tend the flame in the bedroom; practices couples can utilize for security and safety to increase their pleasure and have more fun! Dr. Jorgensen leads us in a conversation on what happens to the body and arousal when we don't feel safe and what partners need to do to maintain and improve safety. When our bodies feel safe, tended to and cared for, sex is more playful, creative and adventurous. Want to invite something new into your sexual routine? This episode will teach you how to do it the right way, the conversation you need to have before you try this and how partners can work together to navigate this in the bedroom. Rebecca and Laurie are hosting a women's only retreat in Salt Lake City, November 5th and 6th. The focus of the retreat will be honoring your body and exploring eroticism, femininity and ways to embody your sexual self! If you are always taking care of others and the ticker tape to-do list runs through your head during sex, this retreat is for you. Head over to our website www.foreplayrst.com to sign up today! Check out Dr. Jorgensen's web presence: EFT Counseling and Education Center: https://www.eftcounseling.org/our-clinic/our-clinical-team/   Building A Lasting Connection, Connection System®L: https://www.buildingalastingconnection.com/mentor-connection-system/   Intensive Couple Therapy: https://drrebeccajorgensen.com/intensive-couple-therapy/   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sometimes sex is awesome; sometimes not. This episode shows you how to turn up the heat when it's not! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's episode we are answering the question 'why we need each other to feel safe?' Join hosts, Laurie and George as they breakdown the definition and importance of co-regulation. A necessary experience beginning in childhood and spanning the life cycle ,co-regulation is the process of someone being responsive to our distress and needs. We don't outgrow this need but we do get better at self-regulation as we get older. The need for co-regulation shows up in our adult intimate relationships all the time. If you think about it, you most certainly know when it goes wrong! Listen in today as we discuss how co-regulation shows up in the sexual cycle and how the safety it provides is the launchpad to adventure and exploration. Are orgasms co-regulating? Download this show today and hear how! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We've talked about the cycle before and we're talking about it again. This time we explore what EFT calls Stage 2. Why? because after de-escalating conflict there's more to do to get closer with your partner! Join Laurie and George for this episode to understand how your moves and your partners moves impact one another and the deeper, unseen meanings they have. When we start to understand the good reasons we are missing each other there is opportunity to connect. Does your partner's criticism represent their hope for the relationship? Does their silence mean they are trying to keep the pressure low? Hear how we flip the script to help you keep it hot!! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's episode we are digging deep into sexual fears and how to ask for help. This is a quintessential move to shift partners from a negative cycle to a positive one. When we are able to see how we are protecting and what we are protecting we can uncover the true need and ask for help. Join Laurie and George, in this conversation as they provide real fear examples and how to ask your partner to meet your needs. As the receiving partner it can feel like pressure to fix or solve when this vulnerability is spoken. Our hosts will guide listeners on how to provide the best empathic response to promote care, connection and co-regulation. Joining one another in the stress and not being left alone is a key move to shifting the relationship to a new dynamic and facing fears together. Get brave with us today as we face our sexual fears and ask for the help we need! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Laurie and George define secrets as issues, fantasies or alliances that block connection. We certainly have a right to privacy and sometimes our private erotic thoughts makes our world sexier and makes us more available to our partner. Certainly some people choose and open marriage but they do it with… openness. we think talking about your fantasies or actual affairs with your a partner while incredibly difficult makes it possible for YOU not to be carrying the guilt of a secret that you find unethical and against your promise.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we're celebrating our 500th episode of Foreplay Sex Therapy! Join our hosts, Laurie and George as they look back on their favorite episodes so far, how their professional journey began and what they have learned from each other over the years. We are thrilled that our listeners are learning how to have healthy conversations around sex and reducing the stigma and shame around something that everyone does! Share with us your favorite episodes or key things you've learned over on our instagram page or leave us a review wherever you stream episodes. Whether it's how to be more intentional around these conversations, or how to spice things up in the bedroom we'd love to hear from our listeners. And thank you to all of you for your listens, downloads, shares and reviews. This wouldn't be possible without our amazing audience. Stay tuned as we have so much more to share and as we continually work to strengthen connections in love relationships. Keep it hot y'all! Congratulations! Huge accomplishment! Check out this episode's sponsor (and help the pod!): Uberlube.com -- Laurie's favorite personal lubricant! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

She needs more foreplay and he doesn't wanna lose his erection. Women need a slow patter of arousal to reach the best climax. Men when they're on sildenafil (viagra, etc.) need to use their erection - soon. This is a familiar dilemma for couples in their 50s. George and Laurie role-play a couple who learns how to talk about this problem. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Does introducing sexual novelty spice things up or turn things sour? Join us today for a conversation on how and when to introduce bringing something new into the bedroom? Research suggests that novelty in long-term relationships is key to keeping them alive but in the sexual relationship it has the potential to create a rift. George and Laurie breakdown the best way to structure this conversation to increase chances of successful communication, how one partner's gas pedal may trigger another partner's brake and how to apply the caregiving cycle if the situation gets a bit tense. If you've been thinking about how to approach adding some spice to your bedroom routine, you're not going to want to miss this episode. Tag us on instagram with your fails and nails conversations on this topic. We'd love to know what works and what didn't, all to help you 'keep it hot y'all!' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

So many women seem to just give up on sex. Maybe they reach menopause and they're done with sex. Or maybe well before menopause , she and her partner haven't gotten through to each other and sex stops. Or if sex continues, she just is unengaged. How can something that feels so good be relegated to such a low/no priority? Here's why. Females who don't want to have sex are often stopped in 3 areas:the relationship - especially lack of communication,worry areas – disgust about certain sex acts, poor body image, or fear about not pleasing their partnerpleasure – loss of interest when she doesn't climax or experience pleasure. George and Laurie discuss these areas and role play an initial conversation as a couple talking about her sexual blocks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's episode, we discuss the messages we received about sex and who taught us about it. Join hosts, Laurie and George in this exploration to uncover 'who taught me about sex and what lessons did I receive?' For many, you may have received a one time birds and the bees conversation from your parents or through a mandatory sex ed lesson at school. However, communication about sex is much more than a one time conversation.  It is a process through which we exchange thoughtful ideas and openness for questions about intimacy. Perhaps you intercepted messaging from religion, culture, music or a peer on the back of the school bus. The origins of how you learned about sex can inform much of your connection to sex present day. It's time to get curious listeners and ask yourself and your partner what and from whom did I learn about sex? What messages did I receive and what beliefs did I form? These questions can help you dig deep and identify blocks, needs, desires or fantasies which when communicated about have the potential to be life changing. Keep it hot, y'all! Check out this episode's sponsor (and help the pod!): Uberlube.com -- Laurie's long-time favorite personal lubricant! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The million maybe billion-dollar question: how do we increase low sexual desire in women? Laurie and George discuss what is shutting down sexual desire in women. George gets it right by saying women often put everyone else's needs ahead of their own. And Laurie discusses their disconnection to their own sexual needs. Laurie puts on her therapist hat and the work is pure magic! Sexual withdrawers will feel so validated listening to this episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's episode, we discuss freedom in your sex life. Three simple questions to ask of each other: What freedom do you need to explore? What do you need freedom from and where do you need the freedom to say no? Join hosts, George and Laurie in this explorative conversation and learn about what freedom means and looks like to you. These questions pose a good opportunity to explore your sexual blueprint, cultural or societal expectations imprinted on you and how to advocate for your needs. Sit down and listen to this episode with your partner and ask these questions! Keep it hot y'all!      Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Everyone wants to feel desired certainly. But the research shows that for women - being desired, hearing their partner's verbal admiration and open "want" - is very important to their turn on. When men are dating they instinctively know how telling their partner how sexy they look, sending flirty messages, giving their partner longing looks - tells her she's hot! George and Laurie talk through the shut down to this process and encourage men to go for it again. #couples #eft #sexpodcast #marriage #desire #secureattachment Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's episode, we discuss the importance of caretaking in intimate relationships. Things can go awry when one partner is looking for affection, nurture or attunement and it's read as blame. We all need to be cared for by one another and this is an important system to tend to. Join our experts, Laurie and George to learn more about the caretaking system in your relationship, your needs that you need responded to and how you can provide everyday care to your partner. So what does this have to do with sex? Laurie challenges listeners to a 30 minute emotional debrief a day. If the partner that needs this debrief is met with care and attentiveness chances to better and more sex skyrocket! Don't believe her? Give it a try and make sure to write in your results of the challenge to our listener mailbag on our website www.foreplayrst.com. Check out this episode's sponsor (and help the pod!): Uberlube.com -- Laurie's long-time favorite personal lubricant. It will help keep it hot! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“I'm just not attracted to you anymore.” - OUCH!!!I Sounds like a showstopper doesn't it? But Laurie and George have hope for you to get it back.We use our favorite acronym BEST SEX Conversations - to explore why people might lose attraction for the partner they've committed to and some ideas about getting it back. We go through the primary areas of sexual attachment from a holistic viewpoint to discover what is causing lack of attraction. Then we offer ways you can feel the gas - how to increase the turn-ons! and then we talk about ways to release the brakes on the things that turn you off. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's episode we are discussing the "double hard." This is when partners are in the same position in each cycle. When the emotional pursuer is also the sexual pursuer and the emotional withdrawer is also the sexually withdrawer, partners have a doubly hard time accessing the other's internal world. The pursuer gets double rejected and the withdrawer gets double the pressure. These cycles can lead to more polarization, more rigidity and the feeling of speaking different languages. Hosts, Laurie and George will guide listeners through each partner's dilemma in parallel cycles. Through an excellent role play you will learn the motivation under the protective move and how to craft a better and more attuned conversation if your relationship experiences parallel positions in the emotional and sexual cycles. Partners are encouraged to get more curious with what is going on inside and try to experience their partner's position in a different way. We hope our parallel position couples find some encouragement and hope in this episode! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're talking about good-enough responding - responding to our partner in ways that keep us connected even when we disappoint them. Think about when a withdrawer finally comes forward; while their pursuing partner may long for whatever they're offering, the same pursuer most likely feels doubt and mistrust about the sincerity of their withdrawing partner or the evidence that this is a start of a change pattern. George is so confident that mistrust is going to be present at this stage - he calls it a natural part of the change process. So of course - the pursuer doesn't reward their withdrawer with success for initiation and guess what? - the withdrawing partner backs away. Fail. But what if there were a way to find a secondary target, a secondary path to stay connected. George and Laurie discuss how you can target a lesser but important target (other than true responsiveness); you can give permission for you partner's defensive/protective move - you can let them know it makes sense to you. As hard as it seems to do, validating your partner's defense actually helps them feel seen by you and keeps you in connection. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's episode we are defining longings in a relationship. George and Laurie identify two different types of longing. The first seen as a more physical and emotional pain around an unmet need. These are longings that have to do with not being seen, or heard and require comfort and reassurance to restore safety. The second type of longing centers on growth and expansion. It is where we work to express our desire, pleasure and fantasies to one another. When there has been a prolonged negative cycle, longings typically are about safety and many couples struggle with longings that promote pleasure. What does the idea of longings bring up in you? Are yours more focused on safety or growth? Make sure to listen and share this episode with your love to learn more about what your longings are and how to express them in your relationship.  Check out this episode's sponsor (and help keep it hot!): Uberlube.com -- Laurie's long-time favorite personal lubricant! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There can be so much disappointment even shame when a couple is in a sexlessness marriage. Couple can tune out and shut down their need for flesh on flesh and over time it gets harder and harder to get back. They don't know how to repair or even talk about normal failure and so they ignore the failures. This doesn't happen just with aging. It's people who resign themselves to not talking about it and both withdraw. George and Laurie talk about how to get back in bed! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's episode, we explore taking sex from a chore to a desired event. It's common for one partner to see sex as a way to please the other but forget about themselves. While individuals do have different levels of sexual desire, physical intimacy is still a need. Laurie and George invite sexual withdrawers to consider themselves, and their needs and wants in the sexual relationship rather than just making their partner happy. Through awareness, mindset shift and fantasy withdrawers will learn how to uncover and share their sexual needs to create more desire and want in your sexual relationship.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Confidence is essential for a great relationship. But how to you grow in confidence if you've lost it or never had much of it? Confidence is the end result of a string of successes. We discuss moves you can make to help yourself -- and your partner -- build their confidence by how you interact, particularly in the difficult conversations. Learn new moves to help you be successful -- and grow your confidence. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Time to head back to school listeners! In this 'School of Love' episode we are defining attachment styles and how they show up in the bedroom. We focus on secure, anxious and avoidant attachment styles and why partners might fall into patterns based on their sexual attachment. Join hosts George and Laurie in this conversation on how your sexual attachment style affects your love life and what you can do about it. An anxiously attached sexual pursuer might crave connection to soothe themselves, an avoidantly attached partner might shut off emotions during sex and see it as a stress reliever. Why is this important? If you can see how and why you are showing up the way you are in your sexual relationship you can do something about it! Remember it's not just about you, this is an intimate connection and we want to aim to make this relationship as secure as possible. We hope you take lots of notes in class today!  Check out this episode's sponsor: Uberlube.com -- Laurie's favoritist personal lubricant! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oral sex - you like it. You don't like it. What works. What doesn't work. Laurie and George talk about it all. They role play a couple who gets stuck in retaliation - if you don't go down on me; I won't go down on you. Then, they demo how a couple might talk to help each other work through their difficulties with oral sex. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's episode we are joined again by Dr. Ryan Rana, director of the Joshua Center in Arkansas and partners with George in the online EFT school for therapists, 'Success in Vulnerability.' Ryan joins our hosts in an in depth conversation discussing how to be more vulnerable in your sexual relationship. A relationship that centers on logistics and mechanics functions but doesn't access the power of attachment energy. To risk being seen, heard and understood deepens connection and harnesses a powerful energy. This 'soul connection' is the benefit from taking risks to be vulnerable with your partner by expressing feelings and needs. Come along with us today to learn more about what it looks like to be more vulnerable, how vulnerability can take your sex life from drab to fab and why deep connection with your partner is one of life's greatest stress reducers. Vulnerability can feel scary but on the flipside of feeling scared is feeling excited! Vulnerability is a major turn on! Check out this episode's sponsor (and help the pod!): OneSkin - Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Touch is vital for intimate communication. We learn so much with touch - pleasure, safety, exploration and curiosity! So often we don't put it into words and then we find ourselves in intimate relationship with a partner without really explaining what we need and want. For instance, tickling may be fun and erotic or triggering. There are lots of ways me might miss each other in the conversation but Laurie and George explore people's reservations and offer ideas of how to communicate about intimate touch better. #EFT #Couples #Marriage #Sex #SexPodcast #SecureSexualAttachment Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's episode, George and Laurie welcome fellow EFTer and relationship expert Dr. Ryan Rana. Ryan is the director of the Joshua Center in Arkansas, EFT trainer and co-host of "The Leading Edge" podcast. Ryan joins us today for a great conversation on how beliefs about ourselves become cemented and the damage this can cause to relationships. You may have caught yourself saying before, "I'm just no good with money." and then when your pockets are empty and the bills are due, you've just consolidated this belief. Now evidence piles on evidence and this becomes a fixed idea. These beliefs are comforting on some level because they create predictability but they are relationship killers! Fixed ideas leave no room for curiosity and as you'll hear in this episode "once we become curious, we can start changing again." This great conversation will get you thinking about these limiting beliefs, where they came from and how to change them to stop the damage and start getting more hopeful and engaged. For more information on Dr. Rana and The Joshua Center visit www.thejoshuacenter.com. Help the pod by supporting this episode's sponsor: Uberlube.com -- Laurie's favorite personal lubricant! Bar none! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Most of us grew up not talking about sex. But the more detailed you get, the more power you can have to change things. Go play-by-play and have more choice and agency about shaping your experience and connecting with each other. One woman's grimace during oral sex or another person's turning of their head during sexual intercourse send messages to their partner that in our example are indeed misinterpreted. Knowing exactly what happens - the detail- helps the couples discover what is really going on. A look, a certain touch, a sigh may turn us on. Or these very same actions can be misinterpreted We can get triggered into the negative cycle. Join Laurie and George as they talk about getting down to the nitty-gritty details when you counsel someone or when you communicate with your partner. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Did you know that most people will have two marriages in their lifetime? Would you believe us if you could have two marriages to the same person? Join us today as we explore the unconscious (first) and conscious (second) marriage. What seems like a crisis and end to a marriage may actually be a great opportunity for both partners. Your original contract may no longer be working and this is a chance to create a new one as who you are now. People evolve and change over time and the marital relationship can be updated. What once worked in our 20s will most likely not align in our 70s. In the sexual cycle, changing hormones and bodies challenge us to learn new ways to make love. In a healthy relationship, this second marriage is an essential step to growth and partners often find it more fulfilling. George and Laurie walk listeners through an excellent role play on how this conversation would go and how to engage your partner in this work. Keep it hot y'all all through the years! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Through the three trimesters of pregnancy, a woman's body changes in different ways, but that doesn't mean that sex can't be good. Join author and certified sex therapist Laurie Watson and psychotherapist Dr. Adam Mathews as they talk about the changes in a woman's body at the different stages of pregnancy and how to keep sex alive and hot during pregnancy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Inspired by the work of Esther Perel, we are opening up a conversation around women being more narcissistic lovers. What does this even mean? According to experts, women tend to be more focused on their partner's experience in bed and less focused on their own pleasure. The caretaking cycle remains engaged, leaving many women disconnected and disengaged from their own sex lives. Join Laurie and George today for this riveting conversation on healthy ways women can be more selfish, self-focused and engaged during sex. This episode will have you thinking about what you actually like, find pleasure in, create more desire and assert your needs to your partner. What makes you feel desired, hot and fully in your sexual cycle, not the nurturer you are in day-day life? Both men and women will take away some great tips from this episode and really start to know what makes and keeps it hot!  Please visit this episodes sponsor (and help the pod!) Uberlube.com -- Laurie's favorite, long-term, awesome personal lubricant! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Some couples are faced at times with relating over a long-distance, whether due to business travel, being in the military, school, etc. Join author and sex therapist Laurie Watson and psychotherapist Laurie Watson talk through how to survive long-distant relationships both sexually and emotionally in a committed relationship. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's episode we are talking about the act and art of touch. Touch is one of our primary attachment needs and we need it from cradle to grave. Touch is often a hot button issue between couples. Distance and disconnection in the relationship can create anxiety and pressure around touch. What stops touch from happening between you and your partner? Ask yourself is there a cycle that comes alive when one of us is seeking touch and what can we learn from it? Laurie and George share more about how vulnerable it can be to receive touch and that a key to safety in this area is non-sexual touch. Increasing affection that isn't centered around sex but strengthening the attachment need in the relationship. It's important to reduce the pressure here, work on relational safety and get curious with each other. You'll take away ideas on how to promote non-sexual touch, exercises that stimulate pleasure and little ways to enjoy more touch together. Special announcement for all couples therapists who want more EFT and Sex training. Join George on April 16th for his masterclass through Nicabm. Don't worry if you can't make it live. You will receive a recording with your registration. George Faller: EFT & Sex Training for Therapists Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Next to relational distress, a negative body image is the biggest disruptor for derailing sex and desire. While this has traditionally been a woman's struggle, increasingly it is also an isue for men. Join sex therapist Laurie Watson and couples therapist Dr. Adam Mathews as they talk about body image issues. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's episode, our hosts interview Dr. Polly Watson. Dr. Watson is an expert on menopause and focuses on holistic treatment methods, creating life changing results for her patients. Join us for this fascinating conversation on the causes and solutions of sexual pain. Did you know that during the transition to menopause 75% of women experience discomfort during sex due to hormonal changes? We discuss all things regarding hormone replacement therapy, pelvic floor therapy and how male partners can support their spouses better. There is no shame in this transitional time, yet too many women struggle in silence and we are sharing this message today. You are not alone, there is hope and treatment that can improve conditions. Sex should be enjoyable, not painful! You, along with George will learn so much in this episode and will feel empowered about the pathway forward. To learn more about Dr. Watson visit her website here: https://hormonewellnessmd.com/  You can also get great insights from her podcast, Menopause Rescue. Check out this episode's sponsor (and thereby support the pod!): Uberlube.com -- Laurie's long-time favorite personal lubricant to Keep It Hot! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Relationships have three broad areas of relating: the mundane details that must be done in live, sexual intimacy, and being friends -- liking our partner, enjoying their company, sharing the details of our inner worlds. The best relationships manage to have all three work; imbalance among them leads to problems. Join sex therapist and author Laurie Watson and couple's therapist Dr. Adam Mathews as they talk about balancing these three essential arenas of relationship. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's episode, we are discussing how to forgive what hasn't been. Fights are more obvious times to work on forgiveness but what about the missed bids for connection and absence of touch? Join our hosts as they share how to have healing conversations about the lost connection. Laurie and George relay that this experience is grief and a deep pain that needs to be shared in partnership. Often a conversation like this may activate the negative cycle as the hurt partner might fear further rejection and begin by criticizing. Their advice is to get into the pain and begin to ask your partner for their help to heal. As the listener, sex might have been off the table for a variety of reasons and you may notice a defensive reaction. George shares something that works in his relationship, to take a pause and keep the focus on his partner. Healing is sequential and can't happen all at once. Slow and steady, remaining focused on one partner's pain can shift a couple into forgiveness as resentment from missed moments is heard, seen and cared for. What has been missing from your relationship that has caused you pain? Today's episode will help you and your partner get started on the path to forgiveness.  Support the pod by supporting this episode's sponsor! Addyi.com -- the only FDA-approved treatment for certain women with low libido. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Adam and Laurie discuss the complicated relationship between sex and depression in both men and women. They discuss symptoms and how to stay connected when your relationship is impacted by this all too common mental health issue. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is your sex life a little too vanilla? Maybe you want to try something new but want just the right amount of spice? Grab your lover and join us for today's episode as we discuss how to get comfortable with getting more kinky. Inspired by an article in Glamour Magazine, hosts Laurie and George share ideas to get things heated up. Laurie calls the list 'kink light' but it's sure to help you take things up a notch. Remember here, consensual is key! Both partners need to communicate and have safety to be able to take more sexual risks. Suggestive texts, dirty talk, sexy outfits or none at all, using a mirror, switching normal roles, teasing. Hooked yet? Hop on over to our instagram @foreplay_sextherapy and let us know what you would add to the list. Keep it kinky, y'all!  Please support the pod by checking out this episodes sponsor: Addyi.com -- the only FDA-approved treatment for certain women with low libido. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices