Can a relationship last without intimacy

What Is The #1 Thing That Destroys Marriages?

What Is The #1 Thing That Destroys Marriages?

The #1 thing that destroys marriages is not always dramatic as it is often something that quietly erodes the bond over time: a breakdown in communication. When couples stop truly talking and listening to each other, small misunderstandings turn into major resentments. Conversations become arguments, emotional distance grows, and partners begin to feel unheard or unloved. Without open, honest, and empathetic communication, even the strongest relationships can start to crumble.

Healthy communication is the heartbeat of every successful marriage. It is what allows couples to navigate conflict, share dreams, express needs, and maintain emotional intimacy. When that connection fades, partners can drift apart, not because they stopped loving each other, but because they stopped understanding each other. Recognizing the signs of poor communication and making intentional efforts to rebuild it can mean the difference between a relationship that merely survives and one that truly thrives.

All About IMAGO Couples Counseling

All About IMAGO Couples Counseling

Relationships can be both beautiful and challenging, often reflecting our deepest needs, fears, and past experiences. IMAGO couples counseling offers a unique and powerful approach to understanding these dynamics by helping partners see conflict not as a threat, but as an opportunity for growth and deeper connection. Developed by Dr. Harville Hendrix and Dr. Helen LaKelly Hunt, IMAGO therapy blends psychological insights with practical communication tools to transform the way couples relate to one another.

At its core, IMAGO focuses on healing childhood wounds that resurface in adult relationships, allowing partners to move from blame and frustration toward empathy and understanding. Through guided dialogue and intentional listening, couples learn to connect beyond surface-level disagreements and rediscover the emotional bond that brought them together. Whether you are seeking to repair a strained relationship or simply strengthen your connection, working with a couples counselor at Anchor Therapy offers a path forward.

Supporting Your Partner with Postpartum Depression (PPD)

Supporting Your Partner with Postpartum Depression (PPD)

Becoming a parent is a life-changing experience filled with joy, but it can also bring unexpected challenges, especially when Postpartum Depression (PPD) enters the picture. While PPD is often discussed in relation to birthing parents, its impact reaches partners as well who may feel helpless, worried, or unsure of how to provide support. Understanding the emotional and physical toll of PPD is the first step in creating a safe, compassionate environment for your loved one.

Supporting a partner through PPD is not always straightforward, but small, intentional actions can make a meaningful difference. From active listening and encouraging professional help to helping with daily responsibilities and practicing patience, partners play a crucial role in recovery. This guide will explore practical ways to provide emotional support, recognize warning signs, and foster connection during a period that can feel isolating for both parents.

Breaking Free from People Pleasing to Build Healthier Romantic Relationships

Breaking Free from People Pleasing to Build Healthier Romantic Relationships

People pleasing is a common behavior that many struggle with, often without fully understanding why they feel compelled to constantly seek approval and avoid conflict. Research shows that roughly 49-52% of people self-identify as people pleasers. At its core, people pleasing usually stems from deeper emotional needs; like the desire to be accepted, loved, or valued by others. For some, it begins early in life, shaped by family dynamics or experiences where their worth was tied to meeting others’ expectations. This pattern can become so ingrained that it feels automatic, even when it leads to personal stress or resentment.

Understanding the root cause of people pleasing is essential for breaking free from it. It often ties back to fears of rejection, abandonment, or not being “good enough” as you are. When these fears dominate, saying no or asserting your own needs can feel risky or even impossible. Exploring these underlying beliefs helps create space for healthier boundaries and self-acceptance, allowing you to build relationships based on genuine connection rather than constant approval-seeking.

How Do I Know If I’m Experiencing Limerence?

How Do I Know If I’m Experiencing Limerence?

Have you ever found yourself obsessively thinking about someone, analyzing every interaction, and feeling a rush of euphoria just from a glance or text message? If so, you might be experiencing more than just a crush- you could be caught in the grip of limerence. Often mistaken for love or infatuation, limerence is a powerful emotional state characterized by intense longing, emotional dependence, and idealization of another person. It can be exhilarating, but also cause a lot of confusion and be emotionally exhausting. 

Understanding whether what you are feeling is limerence can be the first step toward gaining clarity and emotional balance. In this post, we will explore what limerence really is, how it differs from genuine love or attraction, and the key signs that may indicate you are experiencing it. By recognizing the symptoms, you can start to navigate your emotions more mindfully and make choices that support your emotional well-being!

What Does Premarital Counseling Consist Of?

What Does Premarital Counseling Consist Of?

Premarital counseling is a form of therapy designed to help couples prepare for marriage by fostering open communication, addressing potential areas of conflict, and aligning on core values and expectations. At Anchor Therapy, the goal of our couples counselors is to equip couples with the tools they need to build a strong, lasting partnership. Sessions often include guided conversations around topics like finances, intimacy, family planning, career goals, and conflict resolution.


Premarital counseling is more than just a checklist of marital “must-dos,” it provides a safe space to explore each person’s background, beliefs, and hopes for the future. It encourages couples to confront differences early and collaboratively which reduces the risk of future misunderstandings. For many, this experience not only strengthens their bond but also lays a foundation of trust, empathy, and mutual respect that supports a healthy marriage from day one!

What Is A Situationship?

What Is A Situationship?

In today's dating landscape, the lines between friendship and romance are often blurred, giving rise to a relationship status that is confusing and increasingly common: the situationship. Unlike traditional relationships, situationships lack clear labels, boundaries, or expectations yet they often involve emotional intimacy, physical connection, and the routines of a romantic partnership. You might find yourself texting every day, going on dates, and even meeting each other's friends without ever having “the talk” or being exclusive. And while that ambiguity might seem freeing at first, it can quickly become a source of stress and uncertainty depending on your personality and relationship goals. 

This blog explores the emotional gray area of situationships- why people enter them, what they offer, and when they might start doing more harm than good. Whether you are currently in one, just got out of one and healing, or are trying to make sense of someone else’s, this space is for unpacking the messy middle ground of modern relationships. Because sometimes, the most complicated relationships are the ones that were never officially defined!

What To Do When In An Unhappy Marriage

What To Do When In An Unhappy Marriage

Marriage can be one of the most fulfilling aspects of life, but when it starts to feel more like a source of stress and unhappiness, it can be difficult to know where to turn. If you are in an unhappy marriage, you are not alone—many couples experience periods of disconnection or frustration. In fact, research shows that approximately 14% of couples are unhappy in their marriage. Acknowledging the problem is the first step toward finding a solution. Whether it is through communication, couples counseling, or self-reflection, there are ways to navigate these tough moments and make meaningful changes.


It is important to remember that no marriage is perfect, and challenges are a natural part of any relationship. However, when unhappiness lingers, it is crucial to take proactive steps to address the root causes. By approaching the situation with empathy, patience, and an open mind, couples can often find ways to rebuild trust, improve communication, and rekindle the connection that brought them together in the first place.

How to Unlock Emotional Closeness in Your Relationship with An Intimacy Therapist

How to Unlock Emotional Closeness in Your Relationship with An Intimacy Therapist

In any relationship, emotional closeness is the heartbeat. Many couples struggle to maintain the deep connection they once experienced at the beginning of their relationship as life tends to get in the way. This blockage can lead to feelings of frustration, loneliness, and distance. If you and your partner are in this position, the silver lining is that emotional closeness is not simply something you possess or do not possess. You can view emotional closeness as a skill that can get stronger over time with the right amount of attention and care. One route to this is to work with an intimacy coach who can offer a compassionate, guided way to identify and solve emotional barriers so you and your partner can rediscover the bond that brought you two together in the first place.


Intimacy counseling can provide you with the tools needed to help you and your significant other communicate more openly, create trust, and deepen your understanding of one another. Most times, couples are unaware of the hidden patterns and unspoken fears that dominate their daily conversations and behaviors. Whatever you and your partner are going through, an intimacy counselor is there to create a safe space to explore your challenges. Through this exploration process, you and your significant other can learn to express your emotions without fear of judgment and to build a connection which is rooted in authenticity and empathy.

How to Get the Spark Back in Your Relationship through Sex Therapy

How to Get the Spark Back in Your Relationship through Sex Therapy

Chances are that you heard about losing the ‘spark’ in a relationship or marriage before. One of the most common myths of any long-term romantic connection is that passion and intimacy will only decrease with time, not grow stronger or more intense. The spark is that inherent sense of excitement that you feel when you are with your loved one. In other words, it is that ‘butterflies in your stomach’ feeling.

While it is normal to get comfortable with your partner over time, it is always possible to get the spark back- it is not lost for good. Whether you are in a new relationship or have been with your significant other for a while, continue reading this blog to learn more about how sex therapy can enhance the intimacy in your romantic relationship.