In this episode Dr. Jenn sits down with Dr. David Wohlsifer - a sex and couples therapist, PhD, and LCSW. Together we explore what healthy sexual masculinity looks like along with what can get in the way for men as sexual beings, partnered or not.

They also discuss sex throughout the life cycle, erectile dysfunction and what to do when medication stops working, common issues that come up in sex therapy, couples therapy, sexual myths and much more.

This is a behind the scenes, organic conversation between two sex therapists who have their own perspectives on sexuality. Give it a listen and let us know what you think!

Dr. David Wohlsifer is a clinical instructor at Florida Atlantic University, Sandler School of Social Work and Coordinator of the Graduate Certificate in Gender and Sexuality.

His areas of clinical practice include Couple/Family Therapy, CBT, Substance Use Disorders, EMDR, and Sex Therapy. He is the founder of the Boca Raton Center for Psychotherapy, an advisory editor for the journal Family Process, a Diplomate of the Academy of Cognitive Therapy, AASECT and FL Certified Sex therapist, Certified EMDR therapist, and one of the co-chairs of the AFTA Couple therapy interest group. Dr. Wohlsifer has published in the areas of clinical social work education, family and couple therapy, and sex therapy.

Reach Dr. David at: www.drdavidw.com

#podcast #couplestherapy #sexpositive #sextherapy #relationships #therapy #growth #masculinity #toxicmasculinity #healthymasculinity #lgbtq #queer #confidence #couplescounseling #partnership #drjennkennedy #thepleasureproject #culture #empowerment #thepleasureprojectpodcast #sexuality #love

In this episode Dr. Jenn sits down with Dr. Damon Constantinides - an incredible trans Sex Therapist, PhD, LCSW, and CST. Together we explore trans and non-binary sexuality by unpacking what is unique about those populations. We discuss trans and queer sexuality, pleasure, partnerships and sex therapy in general.

This is a behind the scenes, organic conversation between two sex therapists who have their own perspectives on sexuality. Give it a listen and let us know what you think!

Dr. Damon is a queer trans man and sex nerd who loves being a dad, teaching and talking about queer and trans pleasure, and growing plants as a way to connect with his queer and trans ancestors.

He is trained as both a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Certified Sex Therapist and has worked for more than 20 years in the fields of trans and queer health.

Damon owns a private therapy and coaching practice where he offers virtual groups and services to trans and queer folks all over the world.

In addition to his clinical work, Damon is a trainer for the Sex Therapy Certificate Program at the California Institute of Integral Studies and an Adjunct Professor at Widener University. He is a co-author of the book *Sex Therapy for Erotically Marginalized Clients: Nine Principles of Clinical Support* and his writing can also be found in the newest edition of *Trans Bodies, Trans Selves*.

Reach Dr. Damon at: www.drdamonc.com

IG @dr.damonc

IG @wildpansycoaching

#podcast #couplestherapy #sexpositive #sextherapy #relationships #therapy #growth #transgender #trans #nonbinary #lgbtq #queer #confidence #couplescounseling #partnership #drjennkennedy #thepleasureproject #culture #empowerment #thepleasureprojectpodcast #sexuality #love

In this episode, Dr. Jenn talks about faking it during intimacy. It comes in many forms – with both male and female partners doing it. It's the idea that we aren't totally authentic during sex.

Factors that tend to influence your willingness to be real:

• obligation to your partner
• distraction (busy brain)
• disinterest (they aren't doing what you want)
• insecurity (about body or skills)
• lack of knowledge about what you actually want
• habit (doing the same old thing)

Dr. Jenn unpacks different circumstances that bring about faking it and discusses why it happens and what you might do differently.

#fakingit #authenticity #sextherapist #therapist #newepisode #sex #obligations #insecurity #distraction #badhabit #intimacy #couplestherapy #couples #partners #thepleasureproject #bereal #busybrain #bodyinsecurity

Betrayal is a serious stressor on any relationship. Some couples weather the storm and rebuild a better, more grounded partnership. They create a 2.0 version of their relationship that includes radical honesty, transparency and deep intimacy.

In this episode, Dr. Jenn and Michelle Mays—author, CSAT and leading expert on partner betrayal recovery—discuss the considerations for couples who are in later stages of recovery work and navigating intimacy.

Highlights from the episode: We discuss the Stages of Braving Hope, a term she coined which outlines infidelity discovery and recovery.

Devastation: fear anger, confusion, mistrust, ambivalence, stuck in activated state, chaotic, gaslighting by cheaterwith the partner acting as investigator. During this stage, the goal is simply to cope and to seek support.

Realization: scope and depth of betrayal are fully realized and partners are often debating whether to stay or go. They may notice a dip in their sexual self-esteem, and feel general overwhelm at the depth of the problem.

Stabilization: couples have more emotional space and less confusion. They have thoughts of their future, increased clarity, reduced conflict, better communication, strong boundaries and personal power. Both partners are articulating their needs and connected to reality.

We also discuss the importance of attachment and how that factors into rebuilding trust and allowing vulnerability. When attachment is strong, it fosters belonging, significance, fun, adventure, bonding, connection, feeling seen, heard, loved, known, validated and thus safe. When attachment is strained, partners feel unwanted, unknown, undesired, unloved, rejected, disconnected, ignored, excluded.

If you are wondering about your own attachment style and how it affects your intimacy, take my attachment quick here.

With solid recovery and consistent communication, couples are ready to rebuild their sex life. However, I often find that their sex life was never good (lack of communication and intimacy skills), so we are skill building from the ground up. We discuss the value of knowing your own pleasure profile so you can then guide your willing partner.

Michelle Mays, is a Licensed Professional Counselor and expert in treating sexual betrayal and trauma. She is the author of the new book The Betrayal Bind: How to Heal When the Person You Love the Most Has Hurt You the Worst and she is the founder of the Relational Recovery Institute. Michelle has created the Attachment-Focused Partner Betrayal Model™ to address the devastating dilemma that betrayed partners face when their significant other is unsafe to connect to, yet connection is the key to healing.

This podcast is also useful for couples who haven’t experienced betrayal, but do feel disconnected and struggle with closeness and intimacy.

Reach Michelle Mays: https://michellemays.com

IG: michellemays_ YT: MichelleMaysChannel

#podcast #love #book #pleasureprojectpodcast #drjennkennedy #therapy #couplescounseling #couplestherapy #romance #partnership #longtermrelationship #pleasureproject #interview #CSAT

Couples often face various challenges regarding the initiation of sexual activity, and these can differ based on individual preferences, communication styles, and societal norms. Here are some common challenges that both men and women might express, which I discuss in my new podcast.

Fear of Rejection: Women may fear that their partner will not be in the mood or will reject their advances, which can lead to feelings of embarrassment or insecurity.

Cultural and Societal Norms: Traditional gender roles can influence expectations, with some women feeling that it is not their role to initiate intimacy, leading to hesitation.

Self-Confidence Issues: Concerns about body image or sexual performance can make women hesitant to initiate sex, worrying that they might be judged or not meet their partner’s expectations.

Other common obstacles to initiation include: communication barriers, emotional state and stress, your partner’s reaction, prior experiences or a mismatch in libido.

Addressing these challenges typically involves improving communication, fostering mutual understanding, and building a supportive and non-judgmental relationship environment.

In this episode Dr. Jenn delineates Pleasure from. Desire.

She unpacks the various combinations of situations where desire and/or pleasure come into play and examines why each is valuable.

Pleasure Before Desire: Sometimes, pleasure can be experienced without prior desire, such as unexpected joy from a spontaneous event. This type of pleasure can enhance psychological well-being by bringing unexpected happiness and reduce stress.

Desire Leading to Pleasure: Desire often precedes pleasure, motivating individuals to pursue goals or activities that they believe will bring satisfaction. Desire is the wanting feeling that leads to action, which involves pleasurable outcomes.

Pleasure Without Desire

Immediate Gratification: Activities like consuming favorite foods or engaging in enjoyable hobbies can provide pleasure without a preceding desire.

Desire Without Pleasure

Unfulfilled Desires: Desires that are not met can lead to frustration, anxiety, and dissatisfaction. Think Blue Balls (or Lips) here. The anticipation of pleasure that never materializes can negatively impact psychological well-being.

#relationships #therapy #sextherapy101 #couplesgoals #vivalavulva

In this episode, Dr. Jenn talks about vulnerability. This is something that shows up both in your platonic and romantic relationships. Most of us, in theory, really want vulnerability. But dismantling our own obstacles and showing up wholeheartedly in relationship is challenging.

Often times, in couples counseling, both parties in the relationship want vulnerability but have a hard time achieving it. There are numerous verbal and nonverbal exchanges that signal safety and risk interpersonally. We start to initiate and then we retract or we perceive a rejection or hesitation, and we shut down. Vulnerability IS inherently a risk. And it also come with tremendous reward.

Are you curious about how vulnerability actually works in relationship?

Tune in to hear more.

If you have a topic you want to hear covered by a sex therapist, let us know at Jenn@PleasureProject.us

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#couplestherapy #sexpositivefeminism #sextherapy #relationships #therapy #growth #confidence couplescounseling #partnership #drjennkennedy #thepleasureproject #shame #sexualshame #culture #religion #empowerment #thepleasureprojectpodcast #sexuality #love #partnership #grouptherapy #vulnerability

In this episode, Dr. Jenn sits down with Dr. Tina Schermer Sellers - a brilliant Ph.D., LMFT, Sex Therapist and author. This episode mainly explores shame, which is at the core of so much sexual dysfunction.

They discuss:

• The roots of shame and how it can present in your sex life/relationships

• How the political and cultural climate can affect shame

• How did America become s*x negative?

• S*x & Religion

• How family of origin affects attachment

• What is normative curiosity?

• Showing up authentically in love

• Hesitation & Self Doubt

• S*x education

• Psychedelic’s and their place therapeutically

This is a behind the scenes, organic conversation between two sex therapists. Give it a listen and let us know what you think!

You can find Dr. Tina at:

www.TinaSchermerSellers.com

www.NWIOI.com

www.ThankGodForSex.org

Instagram: @drtinashameless @NWInstituteOnIntimacy

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#podcast #couplestherapy #sexpositivefeminism #sextherapy #relationships #therapy #growth #confidence couplescounseling #partnership #drjennkennedy #thepleasureproject #shame #sexualshame #culture #psychedelics #religion #empowerment #thepleasureprojectpodcast #sexuality #love