When Sexual Desire Feels Mismatched: Emotional vs. Physical Intimacy in Long-Term Love cover art

When Sexual Desire Feels Mismatched: Emotional vs. Physical Intimacy in Long-Term Love

When Sexual Desire Feels Mismatched: Emotional vs. Physical Intimacy in Long-Term Love

Listen for free

View show details

About this listen

 In this episode of Dear Dr. Tracy, we explore one of the most common—and emotionally charged—challenges in long-term relationships: when one partner desires more sex, while the other feels overwhelmed, touched out, or emotionally disconnected. Dr. Tracy Dalgleish, clinical psychologist and couples therapist, breaks down the difference between spontaneous and responsive desire, explains why sex can feel like part of running a marathon for some partners, and unpacks how sex is often a bid for connection—not just physical pleasure.You’ll learn how emotional and sexual intimacy are wired differently, how to stop taking rejection personally, and what practical steps couples can take to rebuild connection without blame or pressure. If you’ve ever felt stuck in the sex-versus-talk dynamic, this episode will help you deepen your understanding—and find a new way forward, together. Join my More Than Roommates Challenge now and spend the next ten days feeling more connected. RESOURCES: Preorder my new book! You, Your Husband, and His Mother Want your questions answered on the show? ⁠⁠Submit them here!⁠⁠ Discover your relationship negative cycle with my free quiz: ⁠⁠Take it here⁠⁠ Ready to deepen your connection? ⁠⁠Download my 100 Questions⁠⁠ Build better connection and feel close starting today. Join the ⁠⁠30 Days to Us Challenge⁠⁠ LINKS: Better Help: Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/TRACY K12 Powered Schools: Learn more at k12.com/TRACY Quince Bedding: Free Shipping at quince.com/TRACY Branch Basics:⁠ Use code TRACY15 to save 15% off your Premium Starter Kit ⁠Vionic Shoes⁠: Use code TRACY for 15% off at https://www.vionicshoes.com Mint Mobile: Just $15 a month with mintmobile.com/TRACY AirDoctorPro: Save $300 with code TRACY at https://airdoctorpro.com GoPure Beauty: Save 25% at ⁠https://gopurebeauty.com/tracy⁠ code TRACY ⁠Lumen⁠: Save 15% at ⁠https://lumen.me/DEARTRACY⁠ ⁠⁠AquaTru⁠⁠ - water filter: Use promo code for TRACY for 20% off at https://aquatru.com/ ACORNS Early debit card and smart app for kids: ⁠⁠acornsearly.com/tracy⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
No reviews yet
In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.