​Written by Sexual Wellness Institute Owner and Therapist, Amanda Holmberg, MS LMFT As a sex therapist near the Twin Cities, I often recommend using various forms of media and entertainment to help couples explore and enhance their sexual relationships. One of the most intriguing shows in recent years is Netflix’s "Bridgerton." Its blend of romance, scandal, and sensuality offers a perfect backdrop for couples looking for something new. Here are some tips on how to use "Br ..read more

​Written by Sexual Wellness Institute Therapist, James Chadwick, MSW LICSW Admit it: if you haven’t had anal sex, you’ve thought about it. Maybe it excites you. Maybe it grosses you out. Maybe both. And that’s totally okay! The reality is that it is something that people of all sorts of genders and sexual orientations routinely enjoy, either with partners or solo. But, anal sex doesn’t just "happen"! If you’re basing butt stuff off of porn you’re bound to be sorely (literally!) disappointed. Fret not! With a few basic logistical and psychological pointers you’ll be a champ in no time ..read more

Written by Sexual Wellness Institute Therapist, Josalin Brausen, Masters Intern Therapist Have you been led to believe that pain with sex is normal, or that sex is supposed to hurt? If so, you’re definitely not alone, but I am here to tell you that painful sex is NOT normal and should NOT be tolerated. Yet, pain with sex is incredibly common, and up to 40% of those who experience this do not seek out medical care. In this blog, I am going to break down what exactly painful sex is for vulva owners, what can cause it, and what can be done about it. Just a brief clarification before we get s ..read more

​Written by Emily Anderson, Masters Level Intern, Sexual Wellness Institute Coping Mechanisms have been around since the days of Freud. The meaning behind them has changed and been adapted over the years. You’ve probably heard it talked about in popular media or even by peers but what are coping mechanisms? Coping is using thoughts and behaviors to help manage internal or external stressful situations. The mechanisms are the actual thoughts and behaviors used to help manage stressful or highly emotional situations. Not all coping mechanisms are positive and not all are negative. It l ..read more

As you know this season of Love is Blind was full of drama and things to discuss. I am going to only discuss one portion for the purposes of this blog – and that is Clay talking about how he is afraid of cheating on AD. He says it so many times it sounds like a threat more than a discussion.  Infidelity is a choice…but Clay had good reason to be worried about cheating due to his family history of infidelity. Clay had the right idea discussing his fears of cheating with AD, but he didn’t have the right follow-up or execution. When Infidelity is Normalized If you grow up seeing your parents ..read more

Written by Sexual Wellness Institute Therapist, Josalin Brausen, Masters Intern Therapist     There is a myth out there I want to bust - that you cannot honor and explore your queerness when in a committed, long-term relationship with a straight partner. This commonly believed myth perpetuates so much stigma and imposter syndrome within queer individuals who are with a straight partner or in a “straight passing” relationship. It can lead people to feeling like they don’t truly fit in anywhere, not with the LGBTQIA+ community but also not in the heterosexual space. I want to ..read more

​Written by Emily Anderson, Masters Level Intern, Sexual Wellness Institute As BDSM and rough sex become more and more popular throughout the media, and in our lives it’s important to learn how to do things in a safe manner. Maybe you’ve always been curious about exploring the rougher side of sex and intimacy. Maybe there are certain roles or scenes you’ve wanted to try but aren’t sure where to start. Maybe you’re nervous about getting hurt physically or emotionally. This blog series is all about curiosity and exploration while teaching you the tools to keep you and your partner(s ..read more

Written by Sexual Wellness Institute Therapist, Eric Anfinson, MS LMFT Performance anxiety is a very common problem people run into when it comes to sex. There's pressure to please, be sexy, achieve erection or lubrication, have an orgasm, and so much more. It's no wonder so many people end up feeling expectation and pressure instead of anticipation and excitement around sex. This can lead to individuals or couples avoiding sex, intimacy, or even touch, as the problem continues to grow and build pressure the longer it goes unaddressed. Today I want to look at some of the primary caus ..read more

​Written by Emily Anderson, Masters Level Intern, Sexual Wellness Institute Curiosity may have killed the cat, but it also opens the door to finding new and exciting things about yourself and the world around you. Maybe it’s curiosity that brought you here to explore what kink and BDSM is all about. Or maybe it’s wanting to learn more about who you are in kink and BDSM. This blog series is all about curiosity, exploration, and giving you the inside scoop on what BDSM and kink is. Kink and/or BDSM at its core is an exchange of power between consenting partners through a series of acti ..read more

Written by Emily Anderson, Masters Level Intern, Sexual Wellness Institute Kink and BDSM has become a popular topic in recent years in books, movies, and social media. Many wonder what kink and BDSM is all about, and maybe you’re one of those people! What happens in those types of relationships? What are the different parts of practicing BDSM? Who are the different types of players and what are their roles? In this blog series, I’m going to give you the inside scoop on those questions and many more. Whether you’re just curious about it or ready to dive in, see what resonates with you and what ..read more