Michele Weiner-Davis joins me for a conversation about sexless marriages, desire differences, resentment, and how couples can rebuild intimacy after betrayal. 👉 Book an online session: https://laurahow.com/online-therapists/

Michele is a therapist and bestselling author known for her work with sexless marriages, infidelity recovery, and long-term relationship repair. We talk about why sex is never just sex for many people, how shutdown and withdrawal slowly erode closeness, and why so many couples wait too long to ask for help.

This conversation offers practical, compassionate guidance for men and women who feel stuck, lonely, or unsure how to reconnect again.

In this episode we explore:

✔ What “sex-starved marriage” really means

✔ Why long-term sexlessness damages connection and trust

✔ The silent expectations low-desire partners often hold

✔ When anger and withdrawal take over the relationship

✔ Why feelings cannot be the only guide in intimacy

✔ Responsive vs spontaneous desire, especially for women

✔ Why communication style matters more than frequency

✔ Ways to approach the conversation with more success

✔ How to support healing after infidelity

✔ Why hope is possible even after years of shutdown

We would love to hear from you.

👉 Leave your questions in the comments for future episodes.

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🔗 Michele Weiner-Davis Books

Sex Starved Marriage → https://amzn.to/49xZiUA

Healing from Infidelity → https://amzn.to/491pAi1

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🔗 Connect with Michele Weiner-Davis

Website → https://www.divorcebusting.com/

TEDx Talk → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ep2MAx95m20

YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@DivorceBusting1

Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/micheleweinerdavis

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🧠 Need support?

Work with me or a therapist on my team:

https://laurahow.com/online-therapists/

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💎 More ways to connect

Therapists, work with me → https://laurahow.com/work-for-me/

Join my newsletter → https://laurahow.com/newsletter-signup/

Support my work → https://laurahow.com/support/

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/laurahow/

Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/laurahowcounsellor

X (Twitter) → https://twitter.com/laurahow

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⌚ Timestamps

00:00 Introduction

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📌 Hashtags

#SexlessMarriage #InfidelityRecovery #MarriageCounselling #ResponsiveDesire #SexStarvedMarriage #RelationshipTherapy #IntimacyInMarriage #MarriagePodcast #AffairRecovery #MicheleWeinerDavis

I’m joined by two therapists from my practice, Zac Fine and Marijke Roberts. This informal conversation marks the start of a new monthly series where we speak openly about marriage, intimacy, sexlessness, consent, and the growing tension many couples feel between men and women. 👉 Book online sessions with Zac or Marijke: https://laurahow.com/online-therapists/

We talk honestly about what happens when sex disappears from a long-term relationship, why this causes deep distress for many people, and how fear, withdrawal, resentment, and cultural messaging pulls couples apart.

👉 Book a session with Zac: https://laurahow.com/therapists-zac-fine/

👉 Book a session with Marijke: https://laurahow.com/therapists-marijke-roberts/

In this episode, we discuss:

✔️ Why long-term sexlessness is a serious relational issue

✔️ Consent, fear, and confusion around initiating sex in marriage

✔️ How power struggles and withdrawal develop over time

✔️ Why sex often means reassurance, grounding, and connection for men

✔️ Responsive desire, willingness, and curiosity in long-term intimacy

✔️ How couples can get stuck, and what helps them soften again

✔️ Why healing is possible, even when patterns run deep

We’ll be recording this podcast monthly, and we’d love to hear from you.

👉 Leave your questions in the comments for the next episode.

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🔔 Subscribe for weekly conversations about:

Sexless marriages, intimacy loss, emotional withdrawal, consent, attachment, and rebuilding connection in long-term relationships.

👉 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCE_Fs1wPifrghIGdSzsbrKg?sub_confirmation=1

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🧠 Need support?

Work with me or one of the therapists on my team:

https://laurahow.com/online-therapists/

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💎 More ways to connect and grow:

💠 Therapists — Work with me: https://laurahow.com/work-for-me/

💠 Join my newsletter: https://laurahow.com/newsletter-signup/

💠 Support my work: https://laurahow.com/support/

📲 Follow me:

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/laurahow/

Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/laurahowcounsellor

Twitter (X) → https://twitter.com/laurahow

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⌚️ Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

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📌 Hashtags:

#SexlessMarriage #MarriageTherapy #SexInMarriage #ConsentInRelationships #IntimacyInMarriage #GenderDivision #LongTermRelationships #marriagepodcast #AttachmentAndIntimacy #LoveAndCherishPodcast

Sexless Relationship Therapy Guide: How to Help Couples Restore Intimacy and Sexual Bond

Sexless marriages are far more common than most couples realise, and the impact is deeper than many therapists are trained to address.

In this episode, I break down why sex matters in long-term relationships, what’s driving the sharp rise in sexlessness, and how both therapists and couples can tackle it head-on.

This discussion is grounded in research, clinical experience, and the lived reality of countless couples.

If you’re a therapist, you’ll get a clear framework for addressing sexlessness in the therapy room. If you’re part of a couple, you’ll understand what’s really going on and what you can do to change it.

I’ll cover:

• Why sexlessness is rising so fast, and why that matters

• The emotional, relational, and cultural fallout of avoiding sex

• The narratives fuelling disconnection between men and women

• Common therapeutic blind spots and how to address them

• A practical framework to restore intimacy

• Why sex isn’t “just a bonus”, it’s a core emotional need, like trust or respect

Question for You: Do you think therapists and couples avoid talking honestly about sex? Share your thoughts — I’d love to hear your perspective.

References & Further Reading: Full blog post with citations: https://laurahow.com/sexless-marriage

Book a 1-to-1 session: https://laurahow.com/online-coaching

Therapists — Work with me: https://laurahow.com/work-for-me

More Ways to Connect & Grow:

• Join my newsletter

• Follow me on Instagram: @laurahow

• Facebook: Laura How Counsellor

• Twitter: @laurahow

Chapters: 00:00 Introduction: The Sexless Marriage Crisis 00:41 Cultural Forces Driving Sexual Disconnection 02:03 The Power of Sexual Bonding 02:37 Why Sex Gets Ignored in Therapy 04:17 Statistics on Sexless Marriages 06:51 Trauma, Pain, and Safety Considerations 08:02 Is Sexlessness a Symptom or a Cause? 09:36 Key Questions to Assess the Sexual Dynamic 11:38 Willingness to Engage in Healing 12:41 Cultural Influences on Sex Between Men and Women 15:28 The Emotional Significance of Sex 18:00 Consequences of Sexual Neglect 19:51 Impact of Intimacy on Families and Children 20:53 Intentional Intimacy: Making Space for Connection 24:27 Barriers to Progress 27:45 Practical Strategies for Therapists

Tags: #SexlessMarriage #MarriageTherapy #RelationshipHelp #IntimacyInMarriage #MarriageAdvice #MensMentalHealth #CouplesTherapy

In this candid episode, I talk with Ralph Brewer—author, YouTuber, and founder of @DadStartingOver and @RealHelpForMen—for an eye-opening and deeply personal conversation about marriage, attachment styles and the realities of sexless marriages. BOOK A SESSION ▶▶▶https://laurahow.com/online-coaching-sessions/

🔥 TOPICS WE COVER:

• Ralph’s personal story of betrayal, divorce, and rebuilding

• Why so many men feel alone and anxious in modern relationships

• What really lies beneath the "dead bedroom" issue

• The avoidant/anxious dynamic that keeps couples stuck

• How unresolved childhood wounds shape our romantic choices

• Tips for men on how to prevent (or repair) a sexless marriage

• Why sex matters so much for emotional health and connection

• The role of therapy, boundaries, and hard conversations in healing

• The importance of modelling connection for our children

💡 Ralph’s Message to Men:

Sex is the symptom, not the cause. If you want to heal your relationship, you have to start by healing yourself. That journey starts with awareness, connection, and accountability.

🎁 BONUS FOR LISTENERS:

👉 Visit help4men.com/love for free resources:

• FREE Dead Bedroom Fix video course

• FREE eBook: The Dead Bedroom Fix

• Coaching discounts & access to Ralph’s private support group

📚 Ralph’s Book: The Dead Bedroom Fix - https://amzn.to/44T9B3p

💻 Ralph’s Platforms: DadStartingOver.com | Help4Men.com

Whether you’re fighting for your marriage or just trying to feel like yourself again, this is a space for real talk, real growth, and real love.

💬 Don’t forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and SHARE if you found this episode helpful. Your support helps us reach more people who need honest, heart-centered conversations about love, intimacy, and healing.

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🔗 Watch Next:

👉 The Sexless Marriage Anger Trap: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mN-9ra4AATs

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🔔 Subscribe for weekly videos on:

✔️ Marriage & relationship struggles

✔️ Long-term intimacy & communication

✔️ Building emotional strength & clarity

Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCE_Fs1wPifrghIGdSzsbrKg?sub_confirmation=1

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🧠 Need help processing your emotions or reconnecting with your partner?

Book a 1-on-1 session: https://laurahow.com/online-coaching-sessions/

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💎 More Ways to Connect & Grow:

💠 Join Channel Membership: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCE_Fs1wPifrghIGdSzsbrKg/join

💠 Subscribe to My Newsletter: https://laurahow.com/newsletter-signup/

💠 Support My Work: https://laurahow.com/support/

📲 Follow Me:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurahow/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laurahowcounsellor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/laurahow

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⌚️ Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro & Tech Issues

05:25 - Fatherhood & Modelling Love

21:07 - Childhood Trauma

27:32 - Fixing the Relationship

36:45 - The Dead Bedroom Fix

36:57 - Sex & Emotional Connection

46:08 - Ultimatums & Tough Decisions

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📌 Hashtags:

#SexlessMarriage #MarriageHelp #MensMentalHealth

We discuss emotional needs vs. sexual needs, why couples who have regular sex raise happy children, the lack of education about physical intimacy in marriage and why relationship counsellors aren’t addressing marital sex as a priority in therapy. BOOK A SESSION ▶▶▶https://laurahow.com/online-coaching-sessions/

Dr Samantha Whiten is a clinical psychologist in private practice, author, podcaster, wife and mother. Visit her group practice at BestLifebehavioralhealth.com and reach out to her at info@bestlifebehavioralhealth.com

Listen to her podcast The Dr Psych Mom Show here: https://open.spotify.com/show/2oUpweoWrPUke8QHLlafue?si=rhyke0U1TwSZwB0NgaIWNw

Facebook: Https://www.Facebook.com/drpsychmom

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@drpsychmom

Instagram: Https://www.Instagram.com/Dr.psychmom

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@therealdrpsychmom

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@dr.psychmom

Substack: https://open.substack.com/pub/drpsychmom1

Medium: https://medium.com/@DrPsychMom

X: https://x.com/DrPsychMom

Writing: drpsychmom.com

Books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B014MRIMKG

▼▼▼CHANNEL MEMBER PERKS▼▼▼

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Twitter → https://twitter.com/laurahow

▼ ⌚️Timestamps ▼

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0:00 – 1:52 – Intro

1:52 – 8:47 - Why Sex is Important in Marriage

8:47 – 15:09 - Treating Each Other With Kindness

15:09 – 18:00 - Emotional Needs vs Sexual Needs

18:00 – 24:35 - Is Sex a Need?

24:35 – 27:13 - Marriage Counsellors Ignore Sex

27:13 – 30:15 - Menstrual Cycle

30:15 – 35:44 - Why are Sexless Marriages so Common?

35:44 – 46:06 - Selfishness in Marriages

46:06 – 48:17 - Advice for People in Sexless Marriages

48:17 – 50:50 Outro

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#marriage #couplestherapy #intimacy

How has culture & marriage changed? What does a moral marriage look like? When should you leave a sexless or otherwise immoral marriage? How can men and women live in harmony? BOOK A SESSION ▶▶▶https://laurahow.com/online-coaching-sessions/

Renowned Marriage Therapist, Rick McCarthy, shares his wisdom from almost 5 decades of experience as a marriage therapist and 28 years as a psychology professor.

In his new book “Restoring Marriage and Families: A Guide and Tools “In Order to Form a More Perfect Union” Rick McCarthy provides a compelling roadmap to reclaiming the vital institution of marriage and the nuclear family—the bedrock of every successful civilization in history. He explains how modern society has undermined these pillars and offers a practical plan to reverse this destructive trend, fostering hope and renewal for marriages, families, and communities.

Grab you copy here: https://amzn.to/45A4wxO

Rick’s Website: https://www.rickmccarthymft.com/

▼▼▼CHANNEL MEMBER PERKS▼▼▼

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCE_Fs1wPifrghIGdSzsbrKg/join

▼▼▼NEWSLETTER SIGNUP▼▼▼

https://laurahow.com/newsletter-signup/

▼▼▼SUPPORT MY MISSION▼▼▼

https://laurahow.com/support/

▼FOLLOW ME▼

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/laurahow/

Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/laurahowcounsellor

Twitter → https://twitter.com/laurahow

▼ ⌚️Timestamps ▼

────────────

0:00 – 1:28 – Intro

1:28 – 7:45 - How Culture Has Changed

7:45 – 14:52 - Marriage Therapy as Crisis Management

14:52 – 24:08 – Where Marriages are Goin Wrong

24:08 – 34:41 - Handling a Sexless Marriage and When to Leave

34:41 – 42:03 – How Women Have Changed

42:03 – 46:22 - Women Need to Admire Men

46:22 – 50:11 – Restoring Values & Responsibility

50:11 – 1:03:46 - The Rise of Porn

1:03:46 – 1:07:24 – Maintaining Personal Integrity

1:07:24 – 1:08:34 - Outro

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#marriage #relationships #therapy