Asking your partner for sex can feel surprisingly vulnerable, even in a long-term relationship. Sex therapist Emily Lambert Robins breaks down why initiating is so hard, nonverbal ways to start intimacy, and practical phrases to use whether you’re initiating for the first time or trying to shift an old pattern.

Is sex actually important in a relationship, or is that just something we're told? Licensed Clinical Social Worker and AASECT Certified Sex Therapist Emily Lambert Robins breaks down what the research says about sex, intimacy, and relationship satisfaction, and why there's no universal answer for how much sex a couple "should" be having. Learn what actually predicts a satisfying sex life, common misconceptions about desire in men and women, and practical steps for reconnecting with your partner.