Most of the time, when you hear "physical intimacy" or "physical connection," people are talking about sex. But in our work with couples, we've seen that loving, non-sexual touch (physical intimacy) is absolutely vital for marriage, right alongside sexual intimacy. Here's the thing: you can have physical intimacy without it leading to sex. But strong sexual intimacy without physical touch? Nearly impossible. The two are so connected that a lack of physical intimacy often leads to...

Tomorrow is National Conflict Resolution Day. It's not the most glamorous holiday, but it's absolutely vital for your marriage. Obviously, you and your spouse are different people with different ideas, opinions, and preferences. That means conflict is inevitable. But it doesn't have to be dysfunctional, toxic, or destructive. After coaching hundreds of couples, I noticed a clear conflict cycle that every couple goes through. When you understand the cycle, you can interrupt it and stay...

"We talk all the time, but I don't feel like we're really connecting." I (Alisa) can't tell you how often I hear this from couples I'm coaching. It can be incredibly discouraging because you feel like you're doing what you're supposed to... and yet you don't feel close emotionally. One thing I've found in working with so many couples is that what works for one couple might not work for another. So if you've just been trying to "talk more" without much success... you might be going about it...