What Are Sexual & Relationship Issues?
Sexuality is a huge part of what it means to be in a relationship with someone – it is the factor that separates friend and lover. Regardless if you are dating, engaged, or married, sexuality likely plays a large role in your relationship. People are at their most intimate and vulnerable during sexual intimacy, and issues in this area can leave someone feeling hurt or misunderstood by the person they care about the most.
How do Sexual & Relationship Issues Affect Me?
While sexuality in a healthy and loving relationship can be a powerful and positive experience, it is not always that way. For some people, however, this area of their relationship can be where issues emerge that can have a detrimental affect on the rest of the partnership. Some of these issues can be previous sexual trauma, the frequency of sexual intimacy, parenthood, a taboo attitude towards intimacy or an uncomfortableness talking about their sexual experience, or even an uninterest of one or both parties in sex. Regardless of what the issue is, unresolved sexual issues can lead to problems in the larger relationship.
What is Sexual & Relationship Issues Counselling?
No matter where you are in your relationship concerning sexuality, there is always areas for improvement. Counselling offers a space place where partners can be open and honest with the other about their experiences with sexual intimacy. Counsellors can help normalize the feelings of each partner and relate that experience to the other in a way that does not feel like a personal attack. Couples coming to Freedom Counselling will learn how to communicate with their partner in a way that leaves them feeling heard and understood.
Helpful Links
Psychology Today
This article by Psychology Today talks about “6 Common Problems Couples Have With Sex,” and it is an informative look at the issues surrounding sexuality and relationships. Read it here.
American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy
This article by AAMFT addresses sexual issues that pertain mainly to men. Find out more about symptoms, common issues, and how to begin to address them by clicking this link.
Psychology Today
Another sensitive topic related to sexuality in relationships is low sexual desire. A link to a helpful article by Psychology Today can be found here.