When you are in a relationship with someone who has a history of trauma, intimacy itself can become a powerful trigger.

This may be because the trauma occurred in a relational or sexual context, or because being close to another person inevitably brings you into contact with the parts of them that hold fear, threat, or memories of past harm.

In the early stages of a relationship, everything is new — your partner’s body, their touch, the emotional charge between you, and the physical sensations that come with being desired and choosing someone new.

When we think about the division of labour in relationships, the focus is often on practical tasks: who does the dishes, cleans the bathroom, manages the groceries, or makes dinner. These tasks require time, organisation, and effort, and they are essential to the day-to-day functioning of shared life.

There are many incredible benefits now available when it comes to emotional support, but it’s also important to hold in mind the limitations AI presents in comparison to therapy.

The double empathy theory challenges the outdated idea that autistic people “lack social skills”, and instead highlights that communication is a two-way street.

Antidepressant medications can be life-changing and play an important role in supporting mental and sexual wellbeing, especially when used alongside other therapeutic interventions like talk-based therapy.

It’s one of the most common concerns individuals, couples, and people in different relationship dynamics bring to therapy: “Why don’t I feel desire for my partner anymore?”