Okay, can we remove the stigma of couples therapy & stop treating it like it's the beginning of the end?

One of the biggest myths about therapy is that you only go when your relationship is falling apart. But what if we viewed it the same way we view preventative healthcare—a tool to strengthen what's already there before life inevitably gets messy?

Because here's the truth: nobody teaches us how to communicate, navigate conflict, or stay connected through the biggest transitions of life—yet our relationships are one of the strongest predictors of our health and happiness.

In this episode of Off With Your Coat, Cat sits down with psychotherapist and couples coach Barbara Steele Martin to explore what really makes relationships last. From postpartum and perimenopause to fertility struggles, empty nesting, and everything in between, they unpack the communication tools, emotional patterns, and daily rituals that help couples stay connected—not just when things are hard, but long before they get there.

Whether you're newly married, deep in the trenches of parenting, navigating hormonal changes, or simply want to become a better partner, this conversation is a reminder that healthy relationships aren't found—they're built.

In This Episode

• Why are millennials obsessed with Off Campus and what that says about how we view our own relationship needs.

• Why relationships often struggle during major life transitions like postpartum and perimenopause—and what to do about it

• The rise of "gray divorce" and why couples quietly grow apart

• The difference between psychiatrists, psychologists, and therapists—and when to see each

• Why overfunctioning can quietly damage a relationship

• Navigating infertility, miscarriage, and grief as a team

• Rebuilding intimacy during the postpartum years

• Small daily rituals that create lasting connection

  
  

Learn more about Barbara's couples coaching, women's lunch groups, and educational programs focused on relationships, menopause, and emotional well-being.

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This Episode is Sponsored By Fleurish Design Studios

One thing we don't talk about enough is how our environment influences how we connect. For our very first femme. supper, we wanted women to walk into a space that immediately felt warm, welcoming, and beautiful. Thanks to Fleurish Design Studios, that's exactly what happened. Their event design & florals set the tone for an evening of honest conversation and meaningful connection—because sometimes it's the thoughtful details that make people feel most at home.

Follow @fleurishdesignstudios for inspiration, and connect with their team to bring your next event to life.

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