This episode contains discussion around sex, shame, intimacy, and relationship diversity.

🎧 Join us for the second part of our fascinating conversation with psychosexual psychotherapist and trainer Julie Sale as she tackles the big questions about love, intimacy, and what's truly 'normal' in relationships.

With her trademark irreverence and humour, Julie addresses some of the most common concerns people have about sex and relationships, offering expert insights that challenge conventional thinking about intimacy and connection.

Hosted by:

Michaela McCarthy (Founder of The Awareness Centre, The Awareness Centre Training School, and Creator and Host of A Bunch of Therapists Podcast. Senior BACP Accredited Psychotherapist and Influential Leader) and Dipti Solanki (Therapist, Coach & Consultant, Mental Health Trainer and Founder of Grief Matters 4 All CIC).

In this compelling episode, Julie openly discusses:

• Why there's so much secrecy and shame around sex in our society

• What actually constitutes 'normal' when it comes to relationships and intimacy

• Whether your sex life is over if you don't share a bed with your partner

• Understanding and embracing relationship diversity beyond traditional models

• How shame impacts our ability to connect intimately with others

• Practical insights from her work as founder of CICS (The Contemporary Institute for Clinical Sexology)

• Breaking down myths and misconceptions about sex and relationships

This essential conversation offers valuable perspectives for anyone questioning what's 'normal' in their relationship or struggling with shame around intimacy and sexual expression.

🔍 Key Topics Discussed:

• Challenging societal norms around sex and relationships

• Understanding the roots of sexual shame and secrecy

• Exploring different relationship models and what works for different people

• Practical advice for couples navigating intimacy challenges

• The impact of shame on sexual and emotional connection

• What psychosexual therapy can offer individuals and couples

• Redefining 'normal' in relationships and sexual expression

• Julie's irreverent and humorous approach to serious topics

Chapters:

00:00 Intro 

01:22 Training as a Sex Therapist 

01:46 Why specialising in fertility wasn’t the right decision for Julie 

04:07 Training as a Psychosexual & Relationship Therapist 

04:35 Setting up The Contemporary Institute of Clinical Sexology (CICS)

07:28 You can’t avoid yourself in the subject of sex and relationships 

08:24 What is sex and relationship therapy, and how is psychosexual therapy different from psychotherapy? 

09:48 What is ‘good sex’ and what are the external factors impacting our sex lives?

10:39 Why sex carries a lot of shame, according to Julie 

13:34 Where do you go to learn about sex?

14:38 Psychotherapy is obsessed with trauma, not shame

15:55 Older generations vs younger generations 

16:30 The loss of relational connection 

17:41 One relationship can’t meet all our needs 

17:58 The Romance Myth 

19:09 Sex doesn’t always happen at bedtime

20:53 Having more than one intimate relationship 

22:41 Outro

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