Hey friends! Why does intimacy feel so hard when your nervous system does not feel safe?

In today’s episode of From Both Sides Of The Couch, I am joined by Vanessa Cushing, Licensed Professional Counselor and certified sex therapist, to talk about nervous system dysregulation, desire discrepancy, trauma, communication, and what sex therapy actually looks like in real clinical practice.

Join us as we unpack why desire can shut down when the body is in survival mode, how blame keeps couples stuck, why communication needs more than just talking, and when therapists should consider referring clients to a trained sex therapist.

This conversation is for therapists working with intimacy concerns and for anyone who wants a more compassionate, informed way to understand desire, trauma, and connection. We also talk about Vanessa’s work with Sex Therapy Pro and why accessible, shame-free education around sexual health matters.

If you've ever felt shut down, disconnected, or unsure why intimacy feels out of reach. Join us as we explore healing, connection, and the path back to feeling safe in Why Intimacy Breaks Down: The Truth About Trauma, Desire, and Sex Therapy with Vanessa Cushing.

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Vanessa Cushing is a Licensed Professional Counselor and the owner and founder of Cushing Counseling and Sex Therapy Pro, where she works to help clients eliminate distress, build healthier coping skills, and gain insight into unhealthy patterns. She holds a master's degree from Johns Hopkins University in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, dual bachelor's degrees from the University of Virginia, and a Certificate in Sex Therapy from the University of Michigan. Vanessa specializes in sex therapy and integrative couples work, addressing concerns ranging from desire discrepancy to reclaiming sexuality after trauma, and is an LGBTQ+ affirming, inclusive provider.

To explore Vanessa's AI-powered sex therapy platform with personalized treatment plans and exercises, visit sextherapypro.ai.

Connect with Vanessa Cushing:

Website: https://www.cushingcounseling.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cushingcounseling/

Li: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessa-cushing-477051156/

Dr. Laurie Bruce is a clinical psychologist and mindfulness coach. She received her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology in 2000. Her expertise is in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), which is a treatment that combines both traditional cognitive and behavioral strategies with Eastern Mindfulness practices. She is also a Certified Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapist and completed a year-long intensive training through the Integrative Psychiatry Institute. She’s passionate about the safe, legal, and ethical use of psychedelic medicines to help address trauma, mood, and anxiety disorders and for personal and spiritual development.

Follow her socials:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555258666969

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drlauriebruce/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurie-bruce-psy-d-0201277/

Visit her website.

Website: https://www.drlauriebruce.com/

#SexTherapy #RelationshipHealth #IntimacyHealing