When the Room Feels Stuck: Addressing Intimacy Gridlock

Beyond Labels: Navigating Low Desire, Asexuality, and Therapy Pitfalls

Picking up right where they left off last week, hosts Dr. K. Skye Henry Smith and Martha Kauppi continue to clear up myths about low desire and asexuality. From exploring how labels can help or hinder understanding to highlighting common therapy pitfalls when addressing sexual identity and desire, each host offers a number of practical insights and clinical takeaways. This is part two of a conversation that began with last week's episode, When More Sex Isn't the Goal: Honoring Desire Differences [https://untanglingintimacy.podbean.com/e/when-more-sex-isnt-the-goal-challenging-therapys-desire-bias/].  Get Martha Kauppi's free guide for couples experiencing sexual challenges [https://www.instituteforrelationalintimacy.com/handling-sexual-challenges-like-a-rockstar?utm_source=Untangling%20Intimacy&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=EP22]. Use code UNTANGLINGINTIMACY to unlock 10% off "Consensual Non-Monogamy Level 1: Clinical Skills and Interventions [https://www.instituteforrelationalintimacy.com/CNM-Level-1?utm_source=Untangling%20Intimacy&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=EP22]" and individual webinars [https://www.instituteforrelationalintimacy.com/webinars?utm_source=Untangling%20Intimacy&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=EP22]. Free training in Martha Kauppi's first-session sex issues assessment [https://www.instituteforrelationalintimacy.com/brief-assessment?utm_source=Untangling%20Intimacy&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=EP22]. Join the ATSIP waitlist HERE [https://www.instituteforrelationalintimacy.com/atsip?utm_source=Untangling%20Intimacy&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=EP22] and be the first to know when the course opens for signups. To work with Dr. K. Skye Henry Smith, submit here [https://workwithdrskye.com/]. To find out more about Martha Kauppi, and access more training materials, visit here [https://www.instituteforrelationalintimacy.com/]. Have a question for Skye and Martha? We can't promise every submission will be answered, but we'd love to hear from you! Send your thoughts to: ⁠support@marthakauppi.com [support@marthakauppi.com]. If you're interested in learning more about asexuality, please visit the following resources:  The Asexual Visibility & Education Network [https://www.asexuality.org/] "What Is Asexuality: Myths and Truths About Being Asexual [https://www.teenvogue.com/story/what-is-asexuality]" Scarleteen's Asexuality Primer [https://www.scarleteen.com/read/identity/just-basics-ace-asexuality-primer] Jessica J. Hille's 2023 asexuality literary review [https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2352250X22002378]

When More Sex Isn't the Goal: Honoring Desire Differences

In part one of a two-part episode, hosts Dr. K. Skye Henry Smith and Martha Kauppi explore common misunderstandings about sexual desire, asexuality, and a common, major therapy pitfall. From guiding clients on centering their own experiences to creating space for exploration, each host takes listeners through worthwhile interventions.  Part two will pick up right where this conversation leaves off, deepening the conversation around asexuality, how over-categorizing can be an inconvenience, and so much more.  Get Martha Kauppi's free guide for couples experiencing sexual challenges [https://www.instituteforrelationalintimacy.com/handling-sexual-challenges-like-a-rockstar?utm_source=Untangling%20Intimacy&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=EP21]. Use code UNTANGLINGINTIMACY to unlock 10% off "Consensual Non-Monogamy Level 1: Clinical Skills and Interventions [https://www.instituteforrelationalintimacy.com/CNM-Level-1?utm_source=Untangling%20Intimacy&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=EP21]" and individual webinars [https://www.instituteforrelationalintimacy.com/webinars?utm_source=Untangling%20Intimacy&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=EP21]. Free training in Martha Kauppi's first-session sex issues assessment [https://www.instituteforrelationalintimacy.com/brief-assessment?utm_source=Untangling%20Intimacy&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=EP21]. Join the ATSIP waitlist HERE [https://www.instituteforrelationalintimacy.com/atsip?utm_source=Untangling%20Intimacy&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=EP21] and be the first to know when the course opens for signups. To work with Dr. K. Skye Henry Smith, submit here [https://workwithdrskye.com/]. To find out more about Martha Kauppi, and access more training materials, visit here [https://www.instituteforrelationalintimacy.com/]. Have a question for Skye and Martha? We can't promise every submission will be answered, but we'd love to hear from you! Send your thoughts to: ⁠support@marthakauppi.com [support@marthakauppi.com]. If you're interested in learning more about asexuality, please visit the following resources:  The Asexual Visibility & Education Network [https://www.asexuality.org/] "What Is Asexuality: Myths and Truths About Being Asexual [https://www.teenvogue.com/story/what-is-asexuality]" Scarleteen's Asexuality Primer [https://www.scarleteen.com/read/identity/just-basics-ace-asexuality-primer] Jessica J. Hille's 2023 asexuality literary review [https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2352250X22002378] Thanks for listening!

Playful Paths Through Sexual Impasses: Conversations That Open Doors

Hosts Dr. K. Skye Henry Smith and Martha Kauppi conclude their short, three-part series on partners’ sexual impasses, focusing on therapeutic strategies to help couples have better conversations, rather than rushing to decisions. From running small experiments to how embracing playfulness can lower their temperature of disagreement, each host talks through how the right intervention or approach can unlock a strong result.  Get Martha Kauppi's free guide for couples experiencing sexual challenges [https://www.instituteforrelationalintimacy.com/handling-sexual-challenges-like-a-rockstar?utm_source=Untangling%20Intimacy&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=EP20]. Use code UNTANGLINGINTIMACY to unlock 10% off "Consensual Non-Monogamy Level 1: Clinical Skills and Interventions [https://www.instituteforrelationalintimacy.com/CNM-Level-1?utm_source=Untangling%20Intimacy&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=EP20]" and individual webinars [https://www.instituteforrelationalintimacy.com/webinars?utm_source=Untangling%20Intimacy&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=EP20]. Free training in Martha Kauppi's first-session sex issues assessment [https://www.instituteforrelationalintimacy.com/brief-assessment?utm_source=Untangling%20Intimacy&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=EP20]. Join the ATSIP waitlist HERE [https://www.instituteforrelationalintimacy.com/atsip?utm_source=Untangling%20Intimacy&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=EP20] and be the first to know when the course opens for signups. To work with Dr. K. Skye Henry Smith, submit here [https://workwithdrskye.com/]. To find out more about Martha Kauppi, and access more training materials, visit here [https://www.instituteforrelationalintimacy.com/]. Have a question for Skye and Martha? We can't promise every submission will be answered, but we'd love to hear from you! Send your thoughts to: ⁠support@marthakauppi.com [support@marthakauppi.com]. Thanks for listening!

Get Specific: A Therapist's Guide to Sexual Mismatches

In this episode, Dr. K. Skye Henry Smith and Martha Kauppi offer guidance to help therapists and couples navigate situations where partners want different things out of their sexual experiences. Whether its naming specific acts, using clear language, and asking what "sex" actually means to each person, each host offers practical advice that can make a real impact for clients.  Get Martha Kauppi's free guide for couples experiencing sexual challenges [https://www.instituteforrelationalintimacy.com/handling-sexual-challenges-like-a-rockstar?utm_source=Untangling%20Intimacy&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=EP19]. Use code UNTANGLINGINTIMACY to unlock 10% off "Consensual Non-Monogamy Level 1: Clinical Skills and Interventions [https://www.instituteforrelationalintimacy.com/CNM-Level-1?utm_source=Untangling%20Intimacy&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=EP19]" and individual webinars [https://www.instituteforrelationalintimacy.com/webinars?utm_source=Untangling%20Intimacy&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=EP19]. Free training in Martha Kauppi's first-session sex issues assessment [https://www.instituteforrelationalintimacy.com/brief-assessment?utm_source=Untangling%20Intimacy&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=EP19]. Join the ATSIP waitlist HERE [https://www.instituteforrelationalintimacy.com/atsip?utm_source=Untangling%20Intimacy&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=EP19] and be the first to know when the course opens for signups. To work with Dr. K. Skye Henry Smith, submit here [https://workwithdrskye.com/]. To find out more about Martha Kauppi, and access more training materials, visit here [https://www.instituteforrelationalintimacy.com/]. Have a question for Skye and Martha? We can't promise every submission will be answered, but we'd love to hear from you! Send your thoughts to: ⁠support@marthakauppi.com [support@marthakauppi.com]. Thanks for listening!

When the Room Feels Stuck: Addressing Intimacy Gridlock

In this episode, hosts Martha Kauppi and Dr. K. Skye Henry Smith discuss how therapists can effectively open—and ground—client conversations involving partners experiencing cases of mismatched desire, seemingly incompatible turn-ons, or other gaps posing challenges. Each host brings clinical expertise to the discussion, offering practical insights and effective interventions on how to navigate the opening of a hard conversation. Get Martha Kauppi's free guide for couples experiencing sexual challenges [https://www.instituteforrelationalintimacy.com/handling-sexual-challenges-like-a-rockstar?utm_source=Untangling%20Intimacy&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=EP18]. Use code UNTANGLINGINTIMACY to unlock 10% off "Consensual Non-Monogamy Level 1: Clinical Skills and Interventions [https://www.instituteforrelationalintimacy.com/CNM-Level-1?utm_source=Untangling%20Intimacy&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=EP18]" and individual webinars [https://www.instituteforrelationalintimacy.com/webinars?utm_source=Untangling%20Intimacy&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=EP18]. Free training in Martha Kauppi's first-session sex issues assessment [https://www.instituteforrelationalintimacy.com/brief-assessment?utm_source=Untangling%20Intimacy&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=EP18]. Join the ATSIP waitlist HERE [https://www.instituteforrelationalintimacy.com/atsip?utm_source=Untangling%20Intimacy&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=EP18] and be the first to know when the course opens for signups. To work with Dr. K. Skye Henry Smith, submit here [https://workwithdrskye.com/]. To find out more about Martha Kauppi, and access more training materials, visit here [https://www.instituteforrelationalintimacy.com/]. Have a question for Skye and Martha? We can't promise every submission will be answered, but we'd love to hear from you! Send your thoughts to: ⁠support@marthakauppi.com [support@marthakauppi.com]. Thanks for listening!