Relationships Blog

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Couples
Lana Banegas, LMFT

Why Do Some Couples Benefit from Couples Counseling While Others Do Not?

Some couples begin couples counseling and notice meaningful progress within just a few sessions—renewed connection, better communication, and real hope. Others attend regularly yet feel stuck, going through the motions without experiencing the change they crave. What makes the difference? It’s not always about the therapist (though that matters), nor solely about one partner. Success

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Relationships
Lana Banegas, LMFT

What is Sex Therapy?

Couples who struggle in their sexual relationship often feel unsure of where to begin. Partners often feel very uncomfortable discussing their sexual relationship with one another, and even more so with someone else. One partner may feel like they are to blame for trouble in the couples’ sex life and may feel embarrassed or even

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Couple walking along path through heathland
Relationships
Lana Banegas, LMFT

The Ditch: A metaphor for a balance of connection and autonomy in marriage

As a Marriage and Family Therapist, I am often asked what the sweet spot is between connection and autonomy in marriage.  Be too autonomous and you can alienate your spouse. Your communication suffers, your teamwork, your sense of belonging. Your emotional connection with your spouse begins to breakdown. What’s the point of being with someone

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Relationships
Lana Banegas, LMFT

Your Sex Life is Like A Burger…

Someone recently asked me, can your sex life be great if your overall relationship with your partner, is so not so great? I wanted to say NO WAY!!! right away….but then I remembered a slew of movies, TV shows and trashy romance novels. Isn’t it a well-known fact that one night stands and chance encounters

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