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

Written by Sexual Wellness Institute Therapist, Eric Anfinson, MS LMFT If you've done any couples therapy or spent time researching how to better your relationships on your own, you've probably heard of Gottman Therapy. John Gottman has been one of the most prolific researchers on couples therapy for decades, having authored over two hundred scholarly articles and more than two dozen books. With such a wealth of information, it can feel overwhelming when wondering where to start learning from his work. Today, I want to go over some basic Gottman Therapy concepts that you ca ..read more

Written by Sexual Wellness Institute Therapist, Eric Anfinson, MS LMFT In recent years we've begun to take small steps as a society in making it ok to discuss our sexuality and the challenges that it can present in our lives and relationships. One result of this change has been increased openness and conversation around porn use. Unfortunately, this has led to a lot of sensationalism and buzzwords being thrown around. Primarily, porn addiction. Today I want to really take a look at the idea of porn addiction. As part of this discussion, I'll also include how ideas around healthy pers ..read more

Written by Sexual Wellness Institute Masters Intern Therapist, Isabel Meyer-Mueller There frequently seems to be a myth that lubricants are only for people with vaginas who struggle with vaginal dryness. That is absolutely not the case. There is a lube for everyone and every type of sex. Sex researcher Debby Herbenick found in a research study that the use of lubrication was associated with more pleasurable and satisfying sex and masturbation. Not only can lubricants make sex more enjoyable, but they can also make sex safer! Yes, you heard that right. When having sex with a condom, u ..read more

Written by Sexual Wellness Institute Masters Intern Therapist, Isabel Meyer-Mueller June is Pride Month! As a masters-level intern at a Plymouth, MN based sex therapy practice, I think that it is essential to center LGBTQ rights in my personal and professional life. At the core of my sex therapy practice is a belief that all people deserve bodily autonomy and the ability to express their sexuality in safe, respectful, and affirming environments. I believe it is essential that all people advocate for LGBTQ liberation because everyone deserves the right to have freedom over their bodie ..read more