Is polyamory a bad idea? Different people have different things they want out of life and out of their intimate relationships. If you strongly desire a monogamous relationship, and are not comfortable with polyamorous relationships, then practicing polyamory is probably not a good idea. If you feel comfortable with multiple sexual or romantic partners, feel […]
Counseling, Couples, Infedelity, Parentlng, Sex, Sex Counseling, Thrive Relational Therapy
Is non monogamy the same as polyamory?
12
Nov
Nov
Is non monogamy the same as polyamory? Non-monogamy can be any form of sexual relationship outside of another relationship you may be in. Love does not have to be involved, it can be purely physical. Polyamory means many loves, essentially. It can be a sexual relationship or a non-sexual but emotionally romantic one, and it […]
Counseling, Couples, Infedelity, Parentlng, Sex, Sex Counseling, Thrive Relational Therapy
Can a polyamorous person be in a monogamous relationship?
12
Nov
Nov
Can a polyamorous person be in a monogamous relationship? A person that identifies as polyamorous can be in a monogamous relationship if they choose to be. It can be difficult and will require a lot of open communication and flexibility as the poly person may feel they aren’t getting their needs met. A person that […]
Counseling, Couples, Infedelity, Parentlng, Sex, Sex Counseling, Thrive Relational Therapy
How can I be ethically non monogamous?
12
Nov
Nov
How can I be ethically non monogamous? Ethical non monogamy is consensual between multiple partners, allowing for and supporting multiple relationships. It is very important that it be open, talked about in depth. It won’t be necessary to keep secrets as communication is key. Apply the same level of common decency, safety, and care to […]
Counseling, Couples, Infedelity, Parentlng, Sex, Sex Counseling, Thrive Relational Therapy
Brief Couples Therapy: What is it, who is it right for and how does it work? All your questions answered.
03
Nov
Nov
Brief Couples Therapy: What is it, who is it right for and how does it work? All your questions answered. Some couples don’t need in depth, trauma and emotion focused therapy to heal deep rooted wounds. Sometimes when a couple contacts us for therapy, and they wish to work on communication, this really is all […]
02
Nov
Nov
Why do people cheat on people they love? There are countless reasons for infidelity. Some may feel their reason is as simple as wanting to be accepted, respected, loved, wanted, or praised (the things they likely feel they aren’t getting in their current relationship). Others feel their reasons are more complex and may have to […]
02
Nov
Nov
Is it possible to work through infidelity? Yes! Many couples state they feel happier, healthier and more satisfied in their relationship after the process of healing from infidelity. Experts say it’s possible for couples to go on to have a happy relationship after infidelity, provided they’re willing to put in the work. … But couples […]
Couples, Sex, Sex Counseling, Thrive Relational Therapy
Can a marriage survive infidelity without counseling?
02
Nov
Nov
Can a marriage survive infidelity without counseling? If you and your partner are still able to communicate with each other, then surviving infidelity without counseling is definitely possible. There are many self help books around infidelity that may be beneficial for couples to read with the addition or without the addition of therapy.
02
Nov
Nov
Does counseling help cheaters? A therapist can help if the couple wishes to save the relationship, or if a person is hoping to heal and move forward. The therapist may call unhealthy relationship patterns into question. These could include codependency, emotional abuse, or repeated affairs. Therapists can help people who have been cheated on work […]
02
Jun
Jun
What can COVID teach us about consent? Its safe to say that COVID has shifted our worlds dramatically. I haven’t met a single person unaffected in one way or another. And while there are many outcomes from COVID and the lockdown, both negative and positive, one that I am beginning to explore with clients is […]
12
May
May
I had an affair, the guilt is killing me! If you are reading this, I’m guessing you are in the hot box. You may be confused as to how to proceed, what to do next. You’ve had an affair, maybe you have already told your partner about it, maybe you haven’t. But either way […]
05
Feb
Feb
If you have looked up affairs or infidelity on the internet, you have likely gotten an onslaught of information, largely related to how bad the affair partner is, how their moral compass is off, and the oldie but goodie, “once a cheater, always a cheater” nonsense. But if you are the person that had the […]
Sex, Sex Counseling, Thrive Relational Therapy
What is a sexless relationship and what can you do about it
04
Jan
Jan
In the field of sex therapy and couples counseling, it is common for a client to ask “Am I in a sexless marriage?” Clients in the therapy room are often trying to understand their relationship dynamics and patterns and want to better understand their sex life. The question, “How much sex should I be having” is […]
04
Jan
Jan
Communication is tricky business. Communication is the primary reason any person calls me asking for help in couples or relationship counseling. We don’t talk, they say. Or we only argue. Or we don’t know how to talk about our feelings. Each time I hear this and I know the feeling. Because communication is at the core […]
05
Dec
Dec
The holidays have arrive, and so has holiday stress. If you are like many, the stress of holidays and family can take it’s toll on you and your relationship. As a relationship counselor, I often joke with clients that I could start an entire business based on the stress of the holidays. I get it. […]
Infedelity, Sex Counseling, Thrive Relational Therapy
Outside the Box Therapy: What does it mean and what can you expect?
12
Aug
Aug
We advertise on our counseling website as “Outside the box” mental health therapy. This is something that I believe strongly in professionally and personally. The common Dr. Seuss quote, “Why fit in when you can stand out” fits within this idea. But what can you really expect from this notion? What do we mean when […]
Counseling, Sex, Sex Counseling, Thrive Relational Therapy
I have a strange fantasy; is there something wrong with me?
12
Aug
Aug
This is the question that I so often get asked after the first session in therapy. Many folks, men or women, come into the counseling room and wonder; “why do I enjoy being choked?” or “I can only orgasm when I fantasize about…” Some of the fantasies are more taboo than the others such as […]
Counseling, Infedelity, Sex, Sex Counseling, Thrive Relational Therapy
Sensate Focus: Healing intervention used in sex therapy modalities
12
Aug
Aug
If you have ever talked to me about sex, healing sexual trauma, intimacy or anxiety reduction in sex you have likely heard me make mention of sensate focus. I believe it to be one of the most useful tools or interventions in sex therapy, and in emotional and intimate re-connection. So what exactly is sensate […]
12
Aug
Aug
Coupledom is hard. Long term, short term, casual or official it is difficult to communicate effectively. What would you say the biggest pitfalls to communication are? Misunderstanding? Aggressive tone? Reading between the lines? Dismissing communication? OR not engaging in conversation maybe? I see all of these all the time. They are all common and equally […]
Infedelity, Services, Sex, Thrive Relational Therapy
Affairs, Infidelity, and Cheating: The Misconceptions
14
Feb
Feb
I have a fair number of clients who enter into couples counseling after cheating, infidelity or an affair. I am seeing clients more and more who have experienced some sort of infidelity, some physical affairs, some emotional or online affairs, or fantasies. As I browse the internet reading research and recent blog posts I am bombarded with […]
13
Feb
Feb
Do you suspect your spouse or partner is having or has had an affair? Or has it recently been disclosed that an affair has happened? This can be one of the most trying and emotionally painful times in a individual or couples lives. Many people have swirling thoughts, confusion, anger, and find themselves feeling very […]
13
Feb
Feb
Vancouver Counselor to walk with you in your Life Transitions. Life can throw a curve ball or two and sometimes it can just be too much to manage on your own. I offer therapy that focuses on all the twists and turns that you may have experienced recently. For some this looks like beginning parenthood, […]
13
Feb
Feb
How do I know if individual counseling is right for me? Most people experience general confusion, sadness, anxiety, and struggle with general life transitions. But for many, these can pile on top of one another, and be too great to manage on your own. Making the decision to engage in individual therapy takes immense courage. […]
08
Feb
Feb
Let’s be honest, being in a relationship is hard. It isn’t uncommon to experience challenges, and when they arise, it can be really difficult to decide what the next step is. I see my role in couples and relationship therapy as a person to sit with you, where you are in the moment and help […]
08
Feb
Feb
I’m Marissa Talarico, a sex positive therapist. Ready to talk about sex? Let’s explore some common questions about sex therapy… A Sex Positive Therapist, A No-Shame Space As relationships evolve, it isn’t uncommon to experience sex or intimacy difficulties. As individuals, it isn’t uncommon to experience, anxiety, addiction, or feelings of isolation in regards to […]