You love your partner but between work, parenting, stress, and keeping life afloat, intimacy can quietly drift to the bottom of the priority list. For many couples, physical connection stops feeling exciting and starts feeling like another item on the to-do list. If you’ve ever found yourself thinking, “I miss us, but I’m just too exhausted,” you’re not alone.
At Coral Springs Counseling Center, our highly specialized team of marriage counselors work with couples who are struggling behind closed doors. The spark hasn’t disappeared; it’s just buried under mental load, emotional disconnection, and the everyday grind. We serve clients throughout South Florida, from Coral Springs to Coral Gables, and virtually across the state. Our mission is to support them in rediscovering what intimacy looks like in the real world, a world often filled with deadlines, diapers, and daily overwhelm.
Why So Many Couples Are Struggling with Intimacy After Kids
Susan Block, owner of Coral Springs Counseling Center, recently sat down with Dr. Stacy Friedman, sexologist and host of the Purple Passion Project, to discuss why sex begins to feel like a burden in long-term relationships, especially for those raising children. The conversation wasn’t just insightful; it was deeply validating for the thousands of couples quietly navigating this issue.
Some of the most common pain points discussed included:
- Mental Overload: When your brain is managing groceries, carpool, work deadlines, and family dynamics, there’s little energy left for seduction or desire.
- Emotional Disconnection: Many couples stop communicating deeply, shifting into co-manager mode, operating more like roommates than romantic partners.
- Routine Fatigue: Doing the same things, in the same way, for years can dull even the strongest chemistry.
- Unspoken Resentment: When needs go unmet or unspoken, partners can feel emotionally abandoned, which affects physical closeness.
If this sounds familiar, know that you’re not broken. You’re human and your relationship may just need intentional support.
Tips for Rebuilding Connection (That Don’t Feel Like Homework)
- Start Small and Honest: Instead of saying, “We never have sex anymore,” try “I miss feeling close to you. Can we talk about that?” Vulnerability builds trust.
- Ditch the Pressure: Intimacy isn’t always about sex. Cuddling, kissing, and touch without expectation can create emotional safety.
- Schedule Connection Time: It doesn’t have to be a date night. Even 10 minutes without screens or distractions can help you reconnect.
- Name Your Needs: Practice saying what you want, emotionally and physically, without blame. This fosters intimacy rooted in authenticity, not obligation.
- Stay Curious: Ask each other open-ended questions. Try games like the “Yes / No / Maybe” list, or use a shared journal to explore fantasies and desires safely.
What Therapy Can Offer (and What It Doesn’t Demand)
Let’s clear something up: therapy isn’t about blaming each other or having uncomfortable conversations with a stranger. It’s about creating space for you both to be seen and heard—without judgment, fixing, or pressure.
Whether it’s individual therapy to explore your own emotions, couples therapy to break long-held patterns, or marriage counseling to strengthen the foundation you’ve already built, we tailor the process to your relationship.
Our services include:
Couples Counseling
- Improving communication and managing conflict
- Rebuilding intimacy and connection
- Repairing trust after betrayal
- Support for couples on the brink of separation
Individual Counseling (Adults 18+)
- Addressing anxiety, depression, and stress
- Navigating relationship challenges
- Processing grief and loss
- Healing from trauma
- Support through infertility and perinatal issues
We offer secure, HIPAA-compliant telehealth throughout the state of Florida.
Let’s Talk About the Spark (Even If You Think It’s Gone)
We often hear couples say: “We’re great roommates, but I miss being lovers.” If that’s where you are right now, we want you to know that change is possible. You don’t have to settle for less closeness or connection. With time, intention, and the right support, many couples rediscover not just their sex life—but a deeper appreciation for each other.