Carol and Susan tell you they are struggling with intimacy….

Carol and Susan tell you they are struggling with intimacy. Susan has tried to draw Carol out to talk about their issues. Carol says she is uncomfortable talking about sex and she doesn’t know what she likes or doesn’t like. You encourage her to do a personal growth exercise which includes

___________ does not significantly reduce marital satisfacti…

___________ does not significantly reduce marital satisfaction, but it does cause conflict. It does affect the couple’s sexual relationship; it reduces spontaneity (especially for couples in treatment programs that include scheduled intercourse) and is associated with lower sexual satisfaction. Couples whose first attempt treatment is unsuccessful show elevated levels of anxiety and depression. Couples whose first attempt is successful report improved emotional well-being.