Relational Intimacy

Mating

How Are You Dating?

Martha Kauppi, LMFT, CST-S on April 16, 2024

Finding a great partner isn’t easy. These three questions will help you check in with yourself as you search.

Finding a great partner isn’t easy. These three questions will help you check in with yourself as you search.

Stress

Sex and Stress

Martha Kauppi, LMFT, CST-S on March 25, 2024

Parenting? Medical challenges? Marginalization? Daily stressors can change our relationship with ourselves and with our partners.

Parenting? Medical challenges? Marginalization? Daily stressors can change our relationship with ourselves and with our partners.

Mating

How to Pick the Right Partner

Martha Kauppi, LMFT, CST-S on December 22, 2023

You’re auditioning people for the role of potential mate, so embrace the power of screening out those who aren't a good fit.

You’re auditioning people for the role of potential mate, so embrace the power of screening out those who aren't a good fit.

Relationships

Supporting Your Clients in Acting Relationally

Martha Kauppi, LMFT, CST-S on November 20, 2023

Our client’s natural self-protective behaviors have a tendency to sabotage their relationships. Here’s how you can help.

Our client’s natural self-protective behaviors have a tendency to sabotage their relationships. Here’s how you can help.

Relationships

Resolving Disagreements: The Power of Acting Relationally

Martha Kauppi, LMFT, CST-S on November 1, 2023

It’s about the journey, not the destination.

It’s about the journey, not the destination.

Sex

Desire Discrepancy in the Early Parenting Years: The High-Desire Partner

Martha Kauppi, LMFT, CST-S on October 10, 2023

You want to connect with your partner, but since having kids, everything has changed. What’s a higher-desire partner to do?

You want to connect with your partner, but since having kids, everything has changed. What’s a higher-desire partner to do?

Parenting

Desire Discrepancy in the Early Parenting Years

Martha Kauppi, LMFT, CST-S on September 4, 2023

The changes that come with a new kid can be tough on the parents’ sexual connection.

The changes that come with a new kid can be tough on the parents’ sexual connection.

Motivation

Why Bringing in the Fun Is Key to Therapy

Martha Kauppi, LMFT, CST-S on August 2, 2023

Change is hard. Fun and play keep us moving toward change.

Change is hard. Fun and play keep us moving toward change.

Sex

Practicing Honest Communication in Intimate Moments

Martha Kauppi, LMFT, CST-S on July 7, 2023

You can try this at home

You can try this at home

Sex

A Gentler Approach to Desire Discrepancy

Martha Kauppi, LMFT, CST-S on June 8, 2023

Why I don’t tell my clients to “just do it” and what I recommend instead

Why I don’t tell my clients to “just do it” and what I recommend instead

Sex

“I Don't Have Enough Time to Connect With My Partner"

Martha Kauppi, LMFT, CST-S on May 18, 2023

Do you feel like there’s just no time for intimacy?

Do you feel like there’s just no time for intimacy?

Motivation

How to Help Your Partner Change

Martha Kauppi, LMFT, CST-S on April 25, 2023

How to approach the topic without putting them on the defensive.

How to approach the topic without putting them on the defensive.

Sex

When Self-Pleasure Habits Get in the Way of Partnered Sex

Martha Kauppi, LMFT, CST-S on April 10, 2023

Your self-pleasure habits build strong neural pathways. Here’s how to tweak the habits you’ve been building.

Your self-pleasure habits build strong neural pathways. Here’s how to tweak the habits you’ve been building.

Depression

Sex Pain and Desire: Tackling the Relational Dynamics

Martha Kauppi, LMFT, CST-S on March 14, 2023

Why is it that sex pain is so often ignored by clients and left untreated by clients and therapists—and what can you do about it?

Why is it that sex pain is so often ignored by clients and left untreated by clients and therapists—and what can you do about it?

Sex

Sex Pain and Desire

Martha Kauppi, LMFT, CST-S on February 16, 2023

Sex pain causes many physical, relational, and emotional problems, which only get worse the longer the pain goes untreated. How can therapists help?

Sex pain causes many physical, relational, and emotional problems, which only get worse the longer the pain goes untreated. How can therapists help?

Mating

Choosing Your Own Emotional Experience

Martha Kauppi, LMFT, CST-S on January 6, 2023

Once someone determines their desired emotional experience, they can develop the skills that they need in order to get there—particularly with the help of a trained therapist.

Once someone determines their desired emotional experience, they can develop the skills that they need in order to get there—particularly with the help of a trained therapist.

Mating

Loss of Attraction: Stop Getting Stuck in the Causes

Martha Kauppi, LMFT, CST-S on December 8, 2022

Working with your client to help them gain some capacity to influence their own experience of attraction can lead to greater empowerment, flexibility, and resilience.

Working with your client to help them gain some capacity to influence their own experience of attraction can lead to greater empowerment, flexibility, and resilience.

Body Image

Helping a Client With Negative Body Image

Martha Kauppi, LMFT, CST-S on November 17, 2022

Body shame harms relationships in myriad ways. Here’s how to help.

Body shame harms relationships in myriad ways. Here’s how to help.

Motivation

Making Lifestyle Changes From a Body-Positive Perspective

Martha Kauppi, LMFT, CST-S on October 28, 2022

I truly believe if you want to make healthful changes in your life, the only way is to love yourself through it. Here’s some advice for how to do it.

I truly believe if you want to make healthful changes in your life, the only way is to love yourself through it. Here’s some advice for how to do it.

Embarrassment

Moving Toward Body Acceptance

Martha Kauppi, LMFT, CST-S on October 6, 2022

Does loving your body feel out of reach? Here’s a simple, shame-free step you can take for a less-fraught relationship with your physical form.

Does loving your body feel out of reach? Here’s a simple, shame-free step you can take for a less-fraught relationship with your physical form.