Couplehood

In the Couplehood podcast, you’ll learn key communication strategies that will help you speak your truth and share with your partner in a loving and constructive way. Hosted by Allison Villa - a registered psychotherapist and relationship expert - with a mission to empower parents to make their romantic relationship a priority. We’ll dive deep into the reasons why so many couples let the little things brew in their relationships — and how you can face these proactively to avoid putting your couple in the breakdown lane. You’ll discover why self-care can actually be the key to having a harmonious relationship and how easy it can be to schedule it into your day — even as a busy parent!

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Couplehood

Intimacy Beyond Sex

August 09, 2021 • Allison Villa • Episode 32

“What does emotional foreplay look like to you?”

— Allison Villa

In any long-term relationship, there will be periods where sexual frequency shifts. This can be tied to medical issues, stress, changes in mental health, changes in workload, having young children, or life just getting in the way.

While many couples worry that having less sex automatically means that their relationship is in trouble, that’s far from the truth! These ebbs and flows are a natural part of being in a long-term couple, just as each couple moves through each of the four relationship seasons.

Not only is having less sex not inherently harmful to your couple, but “intimacy” goes beyond just physical intimacy — there are five different types of intimacy that you can practice with your partner, and each piece contributes to your connection and the health of your relationship. In fact, these acts of emotional foreplay can hugely heighten the connection and pleasure you feel during physical intimacy!

This episode is all about looking beyond sex to strengthen your intimacy through the “in-between” moments, finding new ways to connect, and unlocking new areas of exploration.

In‌ ‌this‌ ‌episode of Couplehood,‌ ‌you’ll discover:‌ ‌

The 5 different types of intimacy and the roles that they play in your couple
How emotional foreplay can greatly elevate your moments physical intimacy
3 conversation starters that you can use to bring up the topic of intimacy with your partner

“We all need to be seen as individuals outside of our role as parents.”

— Allison Villa

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Highlights:‌ ‌

00:23 Introduction

01:21 Let’s talk about sex

03:19 Beyond sex

04:24 Emotional intimacy

06:53 Affection & touch

08:47 Intellectual intimacy

09:13 Spiritual & creative intimacy

11:07 3 conversation starters

13:08 Recap

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Links:‌ ‌ ‌

Work With Me: https://www.allisonvilla.com

Follow Me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/allison__villa

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