Relationship & Intimacy Center

Despite what society and pop culture may say, s*x doesn’t have to stop at 50. Like all good things, it takes practice, patience, and time. However, there are still unique concerns that middle-aged and seniors will have regarding s*x and relationships. Learn more about this important topic below:

How to keep the flame burning after 50 - Individual & Couples Therapy | S*x Therapy | WDM, Iowa How to Keep the Flame Burning After 50 Published: December 26, 2022 S*x shouldn’t disappear with age. Despite what society and pop culture may say, s*x doesn’t have to stop at 50. In fact, it can even get better in older age. Like all good things, it takes practice, patience, and time. However, ...

An online affair will have the same effects on your relationship as an in-person affair. The betrayed partner will most likely feel a loss of trust and become suspicious of their unfaithful partner’s behavior. Learn more about online infidelity below:

How online infidelity affects relationships - Individual & Couples Therapy | S*x Therapy | WDM, Iowa How Online Infidelity Affects Relationships Published: October 10, 2022 Affairs happen for many reasons. With increases in how much time we spend online, the rates of internet infidelities have also gone up. Even though online relationships take place in the digital sphere, their hurt is as real as....

Happy relaxation day from the Relationship and Intimacy Center in West Des Moines, IA. Relaxation is an important habit that can help reduce stress and improve mental health. We hope you are finding ways to relax today and as often as possible.
Visit our website to learn more about our practice and our therapists: https://www.relationshipandintimacy.com/

You may feel trapped in your relationship for a number of reasons. Many relationships start out great, but as time passes, you may no longer appreciate each other, or take the time to communicate with one another about how you feel. The majority of the time, it may not be you or your partner that is the problem. Learn more about this important topic below:

What to do if you are feeling trapped in your relationship - Individual & Couples Therapy | S*x Therapy | WDM, Iowa What to Do If You’re Feeling Trapped in Your Relationship Published: October 27, 2022 Relationships can be difficult for everyone. Sometimes, your relationship may start out great, and you feel like this person would never do anything to hurt you and only wants to make you happy. But then, as the ...

Many people will experience a traumatic event in their lives, from the small to the life-changing. It’s up to us to understand what we’re going through so we can recognize our trauma response. Learn more about trauma responses and how to cope with them below:

What is a trauma response? - Individual & Couples Therapy | S*x Therapy | WDM, Iowa What is a Trauma Response? Published: November 28, 2022 Nobody has a perfectly calm, easy life. Nearly everyone will experience a traumatic event in their lives, from the small to the life-changing. Our bodies respond to this trauma in a specific, primitive set of ways. It’s up to us to understand...

One of the best indicators of healthy communication is setting and maintaining boundaries. It’s healthy for both of you to set limits and stick to them. Learn more about this important topic below:

4 ways to set healthy boundaries in your relationship - Individual & Couples Therapy | S*x Therapy | WDM, Iowa 4 Ways to Set Healthy Boundaries in Your Relationship Published: November 14, 2022 Relationships are built on communication. One of the best indicators of healthy communication is setting and maintaining boundaries. It’s healthy for both of you to set limits and stick to them. Separating your time...

Relationships don’t work when you view them as a way to become whole. Each person should be a well-rounded individual before coming together, and should not lose themselves in a relationship. So how do you keep your individuality within a partnership? Learn more about this important topic below:

Learning how to show up for yourself in romantic relationships - Individual & Couples Therapy | S*x Therapy | WDM, Iowa Learning How to Show Up For Yourself in Romantic Relationships Published: March 5, 2023 Relationships don’t work when you view them as a way to become whole. Each person should be a well-rounded individual before coming together. The relationship itself should be a new journey you embark upon. So ...

Depression is one of the most common mental health issues today. More and more people suffer with this mental health disorder, which can make day-to-day life difficult. When you are diagnosed with depression, this can be difficult news to take. Learn more about being diagnosed with depression below:

What to know if you are newly diagnosed with depression - Individual & Couples Therapy | S*x Therapy | WDM, Iowa What to Know If You’re Newly Diagnosed with Depression Published: August 30, 2022 Depression, or clinical depression, is one of the most common mental health issues today. More and more people suffer with this mental health disorder, which can make day-to-day life really difficult. It can impact h...

First Responders are essential members of our community and include policy officers, firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, rescue workers and their dispatchers. About 85% of first responders report symptoms related to mental health conditions. Learn more about this important topic below:

First Responders and PTSD - Individual & Couples Therapy | S*x Therapy | WDM, Iowa First Responders are essential members of our community and include policy officers, firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, rescue workers and their dispatchers. These professionals are the first to respond to emergencies and face daily threatening situations, frightening events, or stressful experiences t...

Every relationship has arguments. They’re an inevitable part of life and partnership. In fact, it’s concerning when two people in a relationship never fight. But there’s a difference between healthy, productive conflicts and conflicts that are the sign of a toxic relationship. Learn more about the difference below:

Relationship conflict: when is it healthy and when is it toxic? - Individual & Couples Therapy | S*x Therapy | WDM, Iowa Relationship Conflict: When is it Healthy & When is it Toxic? Published: September 26, 2022 Every relationship has arguments. They’re an inevitable part of life and partnership. In fact, it’s concerning when two people in a relationship never fight. But there’s a difference between healthy, pr...

Even though we’ve come a long way, heteros*xual and cisgender are the default assumptions for many people. LGBTQ+ people have had to fight for the right to be recognized. When you’re living in a place that doesn’t affirm and celebrate your identity, your mental and emotional health will suffer. Read more about this important topic below:

After studying couples for decades, researcher John Gottman found seven important skills for successful relationships. Read more about these skills in our blog post:

The seven principles for making marriage work. Book by John Gottman, PhD - Individual & Couples Therapy | S*x Therapy | WDM, Iowa After studying couples for decades, researcher John Gottman found seven important skills for successful relationships. The good news is that all these skills can be learned. 1. Enhance your love maps: learn more about each other, be interested again, date again. 2. Nurture your fondness and admirati...

Given the important and stressful work of our military, both the media and advocates have raised significant concerns about the wellbeing of veterans and service members. Learn more about this important topic on our blog (link in bio).

Military, Veterans and PTSD - Individual & Couples Therapy | S*x Therapy | WDM, Iowa Given the important and stressful work of our military forces, both the media and advocates have raised significant concerns about the wellbeing of veterans and service members. PTSD, depression, anxiety, suicidality, and substance use are common conditions faced by these professionals. Some statist...

The Relationship and Intimacy Center is welcoming new clients.
Please visit our website (link in bio) to learn more and schedule with one of our therapists.

There are some fundamental measures of respect that each of us is entitled to in a romantic relationship – expectations that form a baseline for long-term success, and whose absence may doom a couple’s prospects. In this blog post, the author outlines 7 rights you have in a relationship.

Your relationship bill of rights by Rebecca Matthews - Individual & Couples Therapy | S*x Therapy | WDM, Iowa There are some fundamental measures of respect that each of us is entitled to in a romantic relationship – expectations that form a baseline for long-term success, and whose absence may doom a couple’s prospects. The author finds seven measures to be inalienable: 1. You have the right to your pa...

Most unfaithful partners underestimate the breadth and depth of the fallout after infidelity. Despite the devastation, many couples can recover from an affair and build a stronger relationship if they work hard on it. In this blog post, the author lists 15 essential steps to recover a relationship after an affair.

How to help your spouse heal from your affair. Book by Linda MacDonald - Individual & Couples Therapy | S*x Therapy | WDM, Iowa Most unfaithful partners underestimate the breadth and depth of the fallout after infidelity. Despite the devastation, many couples can recover from an affair and build a stronger relationship if they work hard on it. The author lists 15 essential steps to recover a relationship after an affair. Suc...

Learn more about mindful relationship habits!

Mindful relationship habits - Part I. Book by SJ Scott and B Davenport - Individual & Couples Therapy | S*x Therapy | WDM, Iowa Most love relationships do stall or falter after the initial infatuation phase. This is the time when irritations with your partner start to show up and your own insecurities and past wound begin to seep through the perfect facade you present to one another in early days. Irritations can turn into m...

4 Ways to Overcome S*xual Performance Anxiety - Individual & Couples Therapy | S*x Therapy | WDM, Iowa Whether you’re in a long-term relationship or connecting with someone new, performance anxiety can stop you both from enjoying s*xual intimacy. S*xual performance anxiety is anxiety surrounding s*x that can stem from body image issues, fear that you can’t satisfy your partner, worrying you won.....

The Unique Challenges With Aging in the LGBTQIA+ Population - Individual & Couples Therapy | S*x Therapy | WDM, Iowa Aging isn’t easy for any population. But for people in the LGBTQIA+ community, aging can be a particularly difficult process. Issues ranging from general acceptance in society to mental health problems to family conflicts can all affect their quality of life and access to resources. As we work to ...

Investing in both yourself and your relationships will bring a new perspective on life's possibilities. Follow a path that leads you to your full potential!

Couples Therapy or Marriage Counseling can help couples to understand the different phases of their relationship. New skills and more awareness are needed as a relationship matures and faces new challenges. We can help you make your relationship fulfilling again!