When One Partner Wants Monogamy and the Other Wants Polyamory: How to Have Healthy, Grounded Conversations
When one partner wants monogamy and the other desires polyamory, it can feel impossible to bridge the gap. But with curiosity, respect, and guided communication, couples can learn to design relationships that honor both individuality and connection.
Why Novelty Matters in the Bedroom (and Outside It): A Sex Therapist’s Guide to Rekindling Desire
Over time, even the most loving couples can find that passion starts to fade — not because something is wrong, but because the brain gets used to routine. In this article, Dr. Nicole Irving, a certified sex therapist and relationship expert, explores how novelty — both in and out of the bedroom — helps reignite curiosity, pleasure, and connection. Learn why new experiences boost desire and how small shifts can help you rediscover each other emotionally and erotically.
How Couples Can Overcome Desire Discrepancy with Sex Therapy
Desire discrepancy—when one partner wants sex more often than the other—is one of the most common challenges couples face. Left unaddressed, it can lead to frustration, distance, and hurt. The good news? With the right tools, couples can learn to navigate differences in desire, rebuild intimacy, and create a fulfilling sexual connection. In this post, we’ll explore what desire discrepancy is, why it happens, and how couples counseling and sex therapy can help partners reconnect both emotionally and physically.
How to Know If You’re Aroused: Discovering Your Sexual Signals
Discovering your arousal signals is an important step toward building sexual confidence and intimacy. As a relationship expert and AASECT-certified sex therapist serving Virginia, Washington DC, I help individuals and couples understand responsive desire, identify subtle signs of arousal, and explore pleasure without pressure.
Sex Therapy for Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is one of the most common sexual concerns couples face, yet it often comes with shame, silence, and pressure to “perform.” The truth is, erection difficulties are a normal and human experience—affecting nearly half of men at some point in their lives. When couples place too much emphasis on erections or penetration, sex can become stressful and mechanical, leaving both partners feeling disconnected. That’s where sex therapy for erectile dysfunction in Washington, DC and Virginia can make a difference. A sex therapist helps couples reduce performance anxiety, communicate openly, and shift the focus from performance to pleasure. By learning to explore touch, intimacy, and connection without pressure, couples often find that sex becomes more satisfying and joyful. Whether you’re struggling with ongoing ED or occasional performance anxiety, couples therapy for ED offers a safe and supportive path toward rebuilding confidence, intimacy, and desire.
Sex After Baby: How Parenthood Changes Intimacy—and How to Reconnect
Becoming parents can bring deep joy—and unexpected distance. Many couples struggle with sex and intimacy after having a baby, feeling more like co-parents than romantic partners. If you're feeling disconnected, you're not alone. In this blog, we explore how parenthood impacts your sex life and how virtual couples therapy in Virginia and Washington DC can help you reconnect emotionally and physically. Whether you're navigating postpartum intimacy issues, low desire, or relationship stress, online therapy offers compassionate support tailored to your needs as new parents. Learn how to rebuild your connection—without leaving your home.
Are you in a Sexless Relationship? How Sex Therapy Can Help Reignite the Spark
Struggling in a Sexless Relationship? Sex Therapy Can Help You Reconnect
Feeling more like roommates than romantic partners? You’re not alone. Many couples in Northern Virginia and Washington, DC silently suffer in sexless marriages or long-term relationships that lack physical intimacy. As a certified sex therapist, I help partners move from disconnection to reconnection—both emotionally and physically.
Sex therapy isn’t just about “fixing” sex—it’s about understanding what’s really driving the disconnect. Whether you’re dealing with mismatched libidos, emotional distance, past trauma, or parenting stress, therapy provides a safe and supportive space to rebuild trust, improve communication, and rediscover pleasure together.
If you're ready to feel close again, both in and out of the bedroom, couples therapy with a sex-positive, LGBTQ+ affirming therapist can be a transformative step.
Serving Northern Virginia and Washington DC—Book your free consultation today and take the first step toward intimacy that feels good for both of you.
4 Sex Myths That Get in the Way of Great Relationships—According to a Certified Sex Therapist
Struggling with mismatched desire, performance anxiety, or disconnection in your relationship? You’re not alone—and outdated sex myths may be part of the problem. As an AASECT-certified sex therapist offering sex therapy and couples counseling in Northern Virginia and Washington, DC, I help individuals and partners debunk harmful beliefs about sex and build healthier, more satisfying intimate lives. In this post, we’ll explore 4 common sex myths that often show up in therapy—and how understanding the truth can improve your emotional and sexual connection.
Feeling Disconnected From Desire? You're Not Alone
Feeling disconnected from your desire?
You’re not alone—and there’s nothing “wrong” with you.
Low sex drive is more common than you think, and it’s treatable. Whether you’re feeling distant from your body, your partner, or your sense of pleasure, sex therapy can help you reconnect—with compassion and without shame.
ADHD and Its Impact on Sex: Why Sex Therapy Can Be Life Changing in Navigating Neurodivergence
Sex Therapy and Couples Therapy for ADHD in Washington DC & Northern Virginia
Are ADHD-related challenges affecting your sex life or relationship? Whether you're struggling with intimacy issues, communication barriers, or emotional dysregulation, sex therapy and couples therapy can provide the tools and support needed to strengthen your connection. In Washington DC and Northern Virginia, we specialize in helping individuals and couples navigate the unique dynamics of ADHD, offering tailored strategies to improve communication, emotional intimacy, and sexual satisfaction.
If ADHD is impacting your relationship, it's important to work with a trained sex therapist who understands how to address the complexities of ADHD in the context of intimacy. Our therapy services can help you and your partner develop healthier communication skills, manage impulsivity, and enhance emotional regulation—all essential for building a fulfilling sexual and emotional bond.
Whether you're seeking guidance on reconnecting, managing relationship challenges, or improving your sexual wellbeing, our couples therapy sessions offer a safe, supportive space to explore these issues. Reach out today to learn how we can help you build a more connected, joyful, and resilient relationship in Washington DC and Northern Virginia.
Embracing the Single Life: 5 Ways How Being Single Can Be a Superpower with the Help of Sex and Relationship Therapy
Embracing the Power of Being Single: How Sex Therapy Can Help You Thrive
Being single is often viewed as a temporary phase, but it can actually be a powerful opportunity for personal growth, self-exploration, and prioritizing your pleasure. As a specialized AASECT-certified sex and relationship therapist in Northern Virginia and Washington DC, I help individuals embrace their singlehood as a time to reconnect with themselves. Sex therapy can guide you through understanding your own desires, learning how to set healthy boundaries, and exploring your sexual identity without the influence of a partner. Whether you’re looking to improve your self-awareness or strengthen emotional resilience, relationship therapy can be beneficial even when you’re not currently in a relationship. Embrace the power of being single, prioritize your pleasure, and use this time to thrive—so you’re ready for healthy, fulfilling relationships in the future.
Understanding Anorgasmia: When Pleasure Feels Out of Reach
If reaching orgasm feels frustrating, confusing, or out of reach, you’re not alone. Anorgasmia—difficulty or inability to orgasm—is more common than most people realize, and it can impact self-esteem, relationships, and overall sexual satisfaction. In this blog, I’ll break down what anorgasmia is, explore possible causes, and explain how sex therapy can help you reconnect with your body and your pleasure. As a sex therapist serving the DMV area, I offer a supportive space for healing, growth, and sexual well-being.
Non-Monogamy and Sex Therapy: Supporting Diverse Relationship Structures
Non-monogamy is more common—and more complex—than many people realize. Whether you're exploring open relationships, polyamory, or just curious about what ethical non-monogamy might look like for you, therapy can help you navigate it with clarity, communication, and care.
As a sex-positive therapist in DC and Northern Virginia, I work with clients in all relationship styles. Read more about how sex therapy and couples counseling can support non-monogamous partnerships. 🧠💬💞
Why Couples Therapy Is Expensive—And Why It’s Worth Every Penny
Struggling with intimacy or communication in your relationship? I offer expert sex therapy and couples counseling in Reston, Virginia, serving the greater DMV metro area. Whether you're facing emotional disconnection, sexual dissatisfaction, or recurring conflict, therapy can help you reconnect, communicate better, and rebuild trust. Invest in your relationship with compassionate, research-based support tailored to your unique needs.
5 Problems Every Couple Faces (And How to Work Through Them)
Struggling in your relationship? You're not alone. Whether you're in a long-term partnership or newly committed, every couple faces challenges—from communication breakdowns to mismatched desire. As a sex therapist serving Washington, DC and Northern Virginia, I work with couples every day who are navigating these exact issues. In this blog, we’ll explore five common relationship problems and how therapy for couples in DC and Northern Virginia can help you reconnect, rebuild trust, and deepen intimacy.
Understanding Fetishes: Embracing Desire with Curiosity and Confidence
Fetishes are a natural and fascinating part of human sexuality, yet they’re often misunderstood. If you’ve ever felt unsure or conflicted about your desires, you’re not alone! Exploring what excites you can be an empowering journey, and embracing your fetish in a healthy, consensual way is key to a fulfilling sex life. Whether it’s a preference for a particular texture, role-playing, or power dynamics, sex therapy can help you navigate your desires without shame. By fostering open communication, self-acceptance, and deeper intimacy, you can confidently integrate your interests into your relationships. Ready to learn more? Let’s start the conversation!
5 Ways to Ignite More Passion in Your Relationship
In every long-term relationship, the spark can always be reignited. In my latest blog, I explore practical strategies that I personally recommend as a licensed sex and relationship therapist—from open communication and trying new experiences to investing in self-care and seeking professional guidance—that help you rekindle passion and deepen intimacy. Discover how a few thoughtful changes can transform your connection and keep the flame alive.
The Surprising Health Benefits of Sex: Why Getting Busy is Good for You
As a trained sex therapist serving the DC and Virginia area, I’ve seen firsthand how a healthy sex life can improve both physical and emotional well-being. Beyond pleasure and intimacy, sex has surprising health benefits—it reduces stress, boosts immunity, supports heart health, and even improves sleep. Whether you're looking to enhance your relationship or simply feel better overall, embracing intimacy can be a powerful tool for wellness. Let’s explore why getting busy is good for both body and mind!
3 Red Flags in a Relationship That Shouldn’t Be Ignored
Recognizing Red Flags in Relationships: A Guide to Protecting Your Well-Being
In every relationship, it's important to be aware of warning signs that can indicate unhealthy dynamics. While no relationship is perfect, certain red flags—like constant disrespect, control and manipulation, and emotional withdrawal—should never be ignored. These behaviors can erode trust and emotional safety, ultimately harming your mental health. If you notice these signs, it’s essential to take action, whether that means having an open conversation, seeking professional support, or reevaluating the relationship. Your emotional well-being should always come first.
6 Ways Sex Therapy Can Help Improve Sexual Desire
Sex Therapy: A Path to Reigniting Desire
Sexual desire can fluctuate for many reasons—whether due to stress, hormonal changes, or emotional challenges. If you're feeling disconnected from your libido or struggling with intimacy, sex therapy offers a safe, supportive space to explore what's affecting your desire. By addressing physical, emotional, and relational factors, a skilled sex therapist can help you rediscover your sexual connection—whether with yourself or a partner. Whether it’s improving communication, overcoming psychological barriers, or reigniting passion in a long-term relationship, sex therapy can guide you toward a healthier, more fulfilling sexual life.