Sex Therapy vs Couples Counseling What’s the Difference
If you’re trying to figure out whether you need sex therapy or couples counseling, you’re not alone. Many of the couples I work with in San Francisco and across California, Texas, and Florida tell me they’re “hitting a wall” and aren’t sure where the real problem lives. I’m Debbie Cherry, LMFT, and for over 20 […]
Why Does Sexual Desire Drop in Long-Term Relationships?
Most couples I work with in San Francisco and across California, Texas, and Florida eventually ask the same question: Is it normal that our sex life has changed? After 20+ years as a couples therapist, I can tell you, yes. Sexual desire naturally shifts in long-term relationships. It’s not a failure, and it doesn’t mean […]
What Are Common Sexual Intimacy Problems in Relationships?
Sexual intimacy problems are common for couples here in San Francisco and across California, especially for busy, high-achieving partners juggling careers, kids, and everything in between. Many couples tell me, “We love each other, but we feel like roommates,” or “Sex feels like another chore.” It’s not usually about technique. It’s about stress, resentment, emotional […]
How Does Emotional Distance Develop in Long-Term Marriages?
Emotional distance in long-term marriages doesn’t happen overnight or through one dramatic argument. Most often, it’s a slow drift, a gentle but steady move from closeness toward feeling disconnected. Instead of a big blow-up, it’s more like waking up and realizing you’re no longer as comfortable or as “in sync” as you used to be. […]
Why Do Even High-Functioning Couples Get Stuck in the Same Arguments?
Even couples who have their lives together, good jobs, loving families, mutual respect, can end up stuck in the same back-and-forth arguments, week after week. It might seem surprising, but those heated debates over who did what, or old gripes popping up on loop, aren’t a sign of a failing relationship. They’re actually a pattern, […]
Is Communication Really the Problem in Most Marriages?
When marriages feel off, “bad communication” usually gets the blame. If only we could talk better, everything would fall into place, right? But most couples aren’t stuck because they don’t speak. They’re stuck because something deeper keeps the message from landing. Many partners have the same arguments on repeat, even though they want the same […]
How to Decide If Marriage Is Right for You as a San Francisco Couple?
Deciding if marriage is right for you isn’t a small move, especially in a vibrant city like San Francisco, where life moves fast and everyone brings their own dreams to the table. This decision carries real weight, shaping your future and how you show up for each other every day. You want to get it […]
Is Premarital Counseling Worth It for Hollywood Couples?
When we look at high-profile Hollywood couples, or anyone thriving in busy, high-pressure careers, it’s easy to think they’ve got it all figured out, love, glamor, maybe even a steady schedule. But behind the scenes, these relationships face intense public scrutiny, work demands, and unique stress points. That’s why more couples are asking: is premarital […]
5 Benefits of Premarital Counseling for San Diego Couples
Thinking about marriage in San Diego isn’t just about the wedding. It’s about building a solid foundation for lifelong partnership. Premarital counseling steps in as a powerful, proactive move for couples who want to get ahead of the old saying, “Marriage is hard work.” Forget the myth that counseling is only for couples in crisis, […]
How to Reignite Passion When Life Gets in the Way?
If you feel like the spark in your relationship has faded, you’re far from alone. Life’s demands, from long workdays to shuttling kids or just staying afloat, can make passion seem like a luxury you simply don’t have time for. The reality is, even the most loving partners hit rough patches when romance gets lost […]