Blurred Lines: An Invitation to Discuss Boundary Formation and Management for Teachers

In spring, 2013, Robin Thicke, Pharell, and TI released the chart topping song, “Blurred Lines” which discusses the courtship intentions for a woman who is currently in a romantic relationship with another man.  The premise of the song suggests that the woman is a “good girl” but that she wants to get “nasty” (sexually provocative) and be with the relevant suitor.  The concept of blurred lines also extends itself to teaching and education.


Some teachers struggle with their own blurred lines as it relates to their role as an educator for their students.  Because of the personal, emotional, institutional, programmatic and sometimes financial investment in students, teachers may become attached to their students in a manner in which they may not have anticipated.  This attachment pattern may come in the form of potentially inappropriate boundary violations including hugging students, giving gifts, curricular (e.g. discussion of morally and emotionally charged issues with vulnerable populations) and temporal infractions (e.g., providing one or more students with more time than others), emotional and power infringements, or improper communication (e.g., discussing or offering advice on personal issues) with students. 


Typically, colleges and universities address traditional boundary violations with policies that may respond to various forms of sexual harassment, coercion, and debilitative interpersonal relationships.  Oftentimes though, the teacher-student relationship evolves beyond conventional expectations and teachers find themselves extending their educational relationship beyond assumed parameters within and outside the classroom.  Policies typically don’t embrace the complexities of emotional and social navigation including dual relationships, codependence, and relational extraction.  Teachers are typically left to manage the educational, social, emotional, and cultural assumptions of themselves, their students, and the teacher-student relationship. 

In the light of the potential blurred lines that can develop between teachers and students, I extend an invitation to you to reflect and share about any of the following questions:
1. How do you build and maintain rapport with your students?
2. What personal information do you feel comfortable sharing with students?
3. Based upon your experience or what other teachers have shared with you, when do lines become blurred with students?

Finally, for amusement, below is a video link of last summer’s sensation, “Blurred Lines.”  :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyDUC1LUXSU

Let's Make a Deal? Deal Breakers and What They Mean to Me

On Monday evenings, I host a group entitled “Beginnings” for those who have experienced some form of betrayal in their relationship and as a result have struggled to manage trauma.  The group is called Beginnings because the aim of the group is for participants to embrace a new beginning for how they think about themselves and the relationship that they are in.  One of the themes that consistently emerges in the group is how at the start of a relationship, people have rules and expectations about sex, money, time spent, family, friends, communication and the like.  Some of these expectations are talked about while others are assumed (e.g., Having sex for the first time and assuming that you and your partner are now monogamous).  As the relationship progresses, those rules, expectations, and boundaries sometimes become elusive and difficult to maintain because of your emotional investment and fear of change.  So for example, think about your present or last relationship where you told yourself that you would never get into another relationship with someone who cheats.  You told yourself over and over that if you did, you would leave with no questions asked.  Once it was discovered or disclosed that your partner has been or was cheating on you, he/she apologizes, says that he/she will never do it again, and then you take them back---again and again. 

One night, I asked the participants of my group what their “deal breaker” was.  I asked for each of them to identify one behavior that their present or past partner absolutely could not do which would be the deal breaker for the relationship.   The room became quiet as some of them had a difficult time coming up with something that they said would be unforgiveable in a relationship but they ended up staying.   Even after a week, many of them could not come up with anything.

It is very important that BEFORE you get into a romantic relationship or friendship, you identify those behaviors that are completely unacceptable.  Oftentimes, people will indicate that sex outside the relationship, domestic violence, or some other neglectful or heinous event will cause them to leave.  Whatever it is you deem to be intolerable, make sure you have a conversation with your partner about it and you should also find out from him/her what is unacceptable.

Sometimes when a person has a partner who repeatedly crosses the “line in the sand”, he/she remains stuck, emotionally paralyzed, confused, angry, resentful, and even fearful.  Time and time again, you may allow yourself to be re-traumatized by the other person’s behavior and feel helpless when you know you need to do something different (e.g., leave).  The trauma becomes familiar and common and leaves you anxious and unable to move forward in this relationship, in the next relationship, and/or the relationship with yourself.  Here are a few tips to consider when identifying deal breakers and sharing it with your partner:

1.  Identify what your deal breakers are, stick to them, and share with your partner.  Your deal breakers are probably reflective of your value system which allows you to have a good sense of who you are as a person.

2.  Be clear with yourself and your partner the nature and role of forgiveness.  What does forgiveness mean to you?  Have you ever forgiven someone before and if so, what happened?  Most people don’t talk about how they can and cannot forgive BEFORE something happens.  We assume that our partner will be more than human and never do anything wrong to us.

3.  Seek support.  Don’t be afraid to reach out to family, friends, or even a professional (e.g., therapist) when you are unsure what to do.  Family and friends can remind you about the person you are as well as offer you emotional support.  A therapist can help you untangle, unpack, and unravel the confusion and hurt that you are feeling if you have experienced relational betrayal.

4.  Be open to change.  Give yourself and your relationship an opportunity to change.  This does not mean that you should allow your deal breakers to be less rigid.  It just means that your romantic relationship may have to change into a friendship; your friendship may have to turn into being acquaintances; or you may have to move on.    

Dr. James Wadley is Director of the Master of Human Services Program at Lincoln University.  He is a licensed professional counselor and marriage, family, and sexuality therapist in the States of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. He’s also the author of “The Lost and Found Box.” You can learn more about him at drjameswadley.com or tweet him @phdjamesw.

50 Do's and Don'ts of Dating...(Found in Glamour Magazine from 2012)

My tip is #18!    :-)

Dating can lead to all kinds of tricky situations. To help you navigate even the most awkward moments, we've compiled our 50 best dating tips--some new, some old--given to us by experts, moms, women like you, and even Justin Timberlake. 

1. DON'T look for perfection. Encouraging you to settle isn't our style, but separating your desires from your deal-breakers can give your love life a major upgrade. "There are some qualities that your mate must have-being honest, for example--and others, such as movie-star looks, that should be thrown in the would-be-nice category," says Elizabeth R. Lombardo, Ph.D., author of A Happy You: Your Ultimate Prescription for Happiness. "Sit down and realistically figure out what characteristics are nonnegotiable and then be open-minded about the rest." 

2. DO expect to meet men in unexpected places. "Keep your eyes open at all times for opportunities to meet quality men, not just when you are all dressed up to go out," says dateologist Tracey Steinberg. 

3. DON'T assume that somebody's not interested in you. 
Don't conclude that if you don't think you look cute, you don't look cute to someone else, says Paula Bloom, author of Why Does He Do That? Why Does She Do That?. 

"So if you're running to the grocery store after the gym, and some guy starts talking to you and trying to make conversation with you, you may be thinking he just wants to talk to you when he's actually really trying to make a connection with you. If you don't think you look attractive, you might miss it." 

4. DO be confident and make the first move. The jury is in: Men really do prefer women who make the first move. "It's not because it takes the pressure off of them," said Christopher Brya, coauthor of WTF Are Men Thinking. "Instead, it shows that you're confident, which is really the biggest turn-on." Many guys sense that the frequency of men making the first move (asking for phone numbers or dates, etc.) is actually diminishing. As one guy put it, "Waiting for a man to make the first move is real old-school and outdated." Plus, if you're a take-charge woman in every other facet of your life, why be a wallflower when it comes to men? 

5. DO make it easy for men to date you. True story: Guys have a fear of rejection. If you make it easy for them to ask you out, the more apt they'll be to do it. "Making it easy means telling a man in the clearest terms that you are interested and wouldn't say no to a date," says Harlan Cohen, author of Getting Naked: Five Steps to Finding the Love of Your Life (While Fully Clothed and Totally Sober). 

6. DON'T go out in one huge group. 
"The best size group to go out with is three," says Shannon Fox, the author of Last One Down the Aisle Wins. Going out alone might invite men to talk to you but only because you seem vulnerable and desperate. Two is too easily unbalanced. (What nice guy wants to ask a girl to dance if it means leaving her friend all alone?) And four is too intimidating-no guy wants to risk putting himself out there in front of a gang of potentially critical women." 

7. DON'T worry about his age--or yours. 
The times have changed, and age just isn't as relevant anymore when it comes to dating. Miguel Almaraz, coauthor of WTF Are Men Thinking?, said, "Younger men--20 to 30--really do like dating older women. In fact, 66 percent of the men we polled [for the book] said they would date older women." The main reason given? Experience. 

8. DO put a friend in charge of finding you a date. Not great at seeing who's good for you? Then stop trying and let a friend do it for you. Whitney Casey, author of The Man Plan, says to pick a (preferably coupled-up) close friend and put her in charge of finding guys--any other guy you meet automatically goes in the friend zone. "You'll only go on dates with someone she sets you up with," Casey says. Not only does this help you date better men, you'll also end up acting more genuinely around other guys you meet when the should-I-date-him pressure's off. 

9. DON'T limit your online dating searches. Doing the online dating thing? Make sure you cast a wide net. "Extend your search two inches in height below what you want and two years older and younger than what you think you are looking for," says Brenda Della Casa, author of Cinderella Was a Liar. 

10. DON'T pretend to be someone you're not, even online. Online dating is competitive, but being yourself is essential. "If you're pretending to be someone you're not, you're going to end up on a date with a person who is compatible with the person you're pretending to be, not the person you actually are," says Lisa Daily, author of How to Date Like a Grown-Up. 

11. DO give people permission to want you and not want you. OK, this might sound trite, but it really does make a lot of sense: "The Universal Rejection Truth of Dating and Relationships says that thousands of people will want to date you, but millions will not," says Cohen. "Until you can give people permission to not want you, it will be too hard to meet the people who do want you." 

12. DON'T waste your time dating a show-off. "The bravado? That guy needs to save it for the golf course." 
--Justin Timberlake 

13. DO be nice to everyone. 
"I can't stress this enough," says Rachel DeAlto, author of Flirt Fearlessly: The A to Z Guide to Getting Your Flirt On: "You never know where an encounter is going to lead. That guy you met at the gym but aren't into? That woman you met at the networking event last night? They might be the one to introduce you to your dream guy." 

14. DO tell a friend when you want to be more than friends. "Unless you have only one friend and telling this friend means losing your only friend, it's not friendly to keep a friend from dating the best possible single person on the market--you," says Cohen. 

15. DO go on a date with someone you feel so-so about. If you haven't been on a date in a while, this could be the ideal opportunity to get back out there and practice. "I recommend meeting up with the guy for only an hour over coffee or one drink," says Smitten blogger Ariane Marder. "Because you're not invested, you really have nothing to lose--besides a precious hour of your time that could be spent trying to figure out why no one is asking you out. (Sigh.)" 

16. DO allow yourself to be wooed. 
"It feels good to be treated like a lady. If a guy really likes you, he'll pick you up and take you out, not ask you to drive across town for cocktails and a sleepover." 
--Alison Brie, star of Mad Men and Community

17. DON'T plan a complicated date. Start with the basics. It's tempting to be creative and plan a date that's fun and outside-the-box. But don't underestimate the value of the tried-and-true standards. Almaraz says, "While men like creative dates, they said they would prefer those types of dates later in a relationship." Sixty-two percent of men polled for his WTF Are Men Thinking? book said they prefer dinner or a movie for a first date. One even said, "Dinner is always good as long as it's relatively casual. I think going too fancy on a first date can reek of desperation to impress. You're there to get to know the other person, not to get involved in activities that present opportunities to ignore each other." 

See more: Cute Boots for Every Budget 

18. DO let go of the day's frustrations before a first date. "When chatting about your day, it may seem natural to bring up the bad day you had at work, the argument with your friend, or the fact that you couldn't find parking earlier," says James Wadley, Ph.D., the author of Would You Marry You? But on a first date, you might want to "keep your bad attitude at home, and then go out to meet others to show them how adaptable, resilient, and sexy you can be." 

19. DON'T go overboard on dressing sexy. Sure, you want to look hot on a date (we've got you covered with tons of outfits guys love), but don't go overboard. "On dates and when out trying to get dates, I recommend dressing about 20 to 30 percent sexy," says Steinberg. "Give him a little something for his imagination." 

20. DO wear shoes that are comfortable. We love our pointy-toe stilettos too, but if you're seeing someone new, maybe go brogue instead. "Some of the best dates are the ones that continue going on beyond what's planned," says Bloom. "You're improvising, and you don't want uncomfortable shoes to be the reason you cut short a date that's going well." 

21. DON'T booze it up with a new guy. "Imagine you have two brains. One weighs risks and rewards, keeps you informed about morals and ethics, and warns you about unwise choices. The other seeks pleasure and feel-good experiences, creates erotic appetite, and drives you to satisfy that appetite," says Brian Alexander, coauthor of The Chemistry Between Us. "As anybody who's been on a diet and has faced down a plate of gooey chocolate chip cookies can tell you, it can be pretty tough to resist pleasure under normal circumstances, but when you drink alcohol, you are helping to cripple your rational, reasoning brain and giving your pleasure-seeking brain a huge megaphone. So, let's say you're out with a guy. He's cute, but you're feeling just so-so about him and you probably wouldn't want to go out with him again. But to make the date a little more fun, you start in on the martinis. Soon all you can see is the cute. A few hours later, you're looking at a very awkward morning." 

22. DO learn to really listen to the man sitting across from you on a date. 
"He is telling you all you need to know those first few times you get together. Really tune in when he drones on like a mama's boy or blabs incessantly about his ex. If he's unavailable--married, moody, or obsessed with his motorcycle--toodles to him. Really hear what he's sayin' right off the bat, ladies, and you'll save yourself a whole lot of heartache down the road." --Maryjane Fahey and Caryn Beth Rosenthal, authors of Dumped 

23. DON'T treat dates like performance art. 
Remember, you're not only trying to impress the guy; you should be seeing if he's a good fit for you. "I tend to forget that and treat dates like I'm on a stage in front of an audience of one," says Smitten blogger Gena Kaufman. "I plan my wardrobe for hours, perfect my makeup, and once at the bar, it's show time: jokes, stories, hair flips, etc. If a guy seems charmed by my act, I consider it a good date. But then flash forward to a third or fourth date, when I realize that while I was so busy being excited that he liked me, I forgot to actually notice whether I was interested in him." 
24. DO flirt. 
"Make eye contact and smile at anyone who catches your eye for three seconds," says DeAlto. "If he is interested, he will approach. In a relationship? Keep flirting! Continue to make him feel like the center of the universe. It will do wonders for your connection." 
25. DON'T forget your manners.
We can't imagine this is something you'd ever do, but a little reminder never hurts: Say thank you. 
"Good manners have become so old-fashioned that men now wait for the thank-you at the end of the date as a way to see if she's worth seeing again," says Brian from New York City. "I don't care if the woman looks like Kate Beckinsale and has a Ph.D.; if she can't be bothered to utter those two little words, I am never calling her again." 

26. DO order what you really want. 
"Don't be afraid to eat like a man. A guy would love to see a woman with a healthy appetite." 
-Michael Urie, star of Partners 

27. DO pay attention. 
Guys notice when you're interested in what they're saying, so make sure he's got your full attention. "Give him direct eye contact about 80 percent of the conversation, be positive, and smile easily," says Steinberg. "A group of wild coyotes could break down the door, but you would be too enthralled to notice!" 

28. DON'T ask the "five-year plan" question too soon. 
"Talking about at what age you'd like to get married and have kids too early in the conversation changes the whole tone of trying to get to know someone," says Jessi Bockting from Louisville, Kentucky. "It suddenly feels like a job interview." 

29. DO look for red flags. "People have a great way of telling you who they are, if you are willing to listen," says Della Casa. "I once knew a woman who went on a date with a guy who jokingly told her he lacked empathy. She brushed it off and wondered why he was so callous with her feelings six months later. If the guy you are dating makes questionable comments, is rude to the waiter, or otherwise sends your gut into a spin, move on." 

30. DON'T let him know you've been Google-stalking him all week. "Look, we know that you've been investigating this guy online since you learned his last name. (We don't blame you, and chances are he's done the same to you.) But if you start in on his alma mater, favorite bands, and how his hair looked in 2004 (which was found thanks to your mad skills at image searching), you are going to creep him out. Big-time." 
--Daniel Holloway and Dorothy Robinson, authors of Dating Makes You Want to Die (but You Have to Do It Anyway) 

31. DO casually touch him. "The way to a man's (or a woman's, for that matter) heart isn't through his stomach, but his eyes," says Alexander. "Humans have evolved to read the emotions of others, and one way we do it is by looking into the eyes. When we touch each other, even with a casual arm stroke or a friendly hug, and look into each other's eyes, we can trigger a series of chemical events in the brain that lead us to open ourselves up to another person. A hormone called oxytocin is released, driving this response. That's followed by dopamine, a chemical that motivates us to seek out rewarding experiences, like being with you." 

32. DON'T talk about your ex. 
"No good can come of this! You'll seem either bitter, heartless, or still hung-up--and any one of these is a huge turnoff." 
--Em and Lo, emandlo.com 

33. DON'T apologize for being who you are. 
"Why waste valuable cocktail time with your pals with some wuss who can't handle you. Screw anyone who has a problem with that--no discussion!" 
--Maryjane Fahey and Caryn Beth Rosenthal, authors of Dumped 

See more: 60 Winter Nail Polish Ideas 

34. DO be aware of time. 
"When you're on a date, one of the ways to know it's going well--if you guys are connecting--is, as the date's wrapping up, if you're thinking Where did the time go? versus Oh my God, I'm so glad this is over," says Bloom. 

35. DO read into the first kiss. 
It may seem like dating 101, but a kiss at the end of the evening really does shed light on how he feels. "This may sound hard to believe, but a whopping 74 percent of guys [polled in WTF Are Men Thinking?] would not kiss their date at the end if they were not attracted to her," says Almaraz. "If you're on the date and you like the guy, lean in for that kiss. If he's into you, you'll know quickly." 
36. DO play it straight. 
"Honesty, with yourself and the person you're dating, is always the best policy," says Alexander. "I don't just mean telling the truth about what you do, or that you're not really that great a skier, but also honesty about what you want. Any man worth your time will appreciate a woman who has reasonable expectations for him--and him for you. Also be honest about what you want from life. Conforming to what you think he wants isn't a great recipe for anybody." 
37. DO accept that a date is not a relationship. Remember that most dates are nights out with strangers--even if you've gone on three of them. "It's OK to be excited, but take some time to get to know the person in front of you before you plan your future together in your head," says Della Casa. 

38. DON'T be a friend with benefits if you want a relationship. "If you want to date someone, do not pretend you are OK just having sex," says Cohen. "If you've started and want to know if someone wants to be with you or just your vagina, stop offering the benefit until you can get a commitment." 

39. DON'T expect anything if you sleep with him. "If you want to sleep with him, go ahead--just be safe!--but understand that most men have a remarkable ability to separate sex and emotion," says Della Casa. "If he's not calling you his girlfriend, taking you to dinner, or otherwise courting you beforehand, don't expect a roll in the sack to change that." 

40. DON'T overanalyze or investigate if the guy doesn't call you again. "You two didn't click. So what? Move on and don't take it personally. Don't cloud yourself up with negative thoughts--it'll just drive you nuts, and you know it." 
--Maryjane Fahey and Caryn Beth Rosenthal, authors of Dumped 

41. DO date at your own pace. "My mom told me that I should never compare my relationship with my friends' relationships. About five of my girlfriends got engaged within six months of one another, and I started wondering what was wrong with me. Was it OK that I didn't feel ready to marry my boyfriend of two years? Did that mean I didn't really love him? My mom said, 'You can't put yourself--or the relationship--on a time line because of the way another relationship has progressed.'" 
--Kaci Eaves, Fort Worth, Tex. 

42. DON'T talk yourself into a relationship. "If it doesn't feel right, then it's wrong," says Cohen. "Relationships shouldn't be complicated, and it shouldn't take convincing yourself someone is good enough for you." 

43. DO stop asking for love advice. "When you ask for 20 people's advice on what to do in a particular situation, you can become paralyzed by information overload and end up going against your best judgment," says Daily. "Just go to one or two close friends when you need a hint in the love department. Or even ask yourself if you need advice at all--most of the time you probably already know what to do." 

44. DO remember that you're the object of your affection. "I take myself out, treat myself to massages, and am making a conscious effort to be my own beloved," says Marder. "When I feel down, I think about what I would say to someone I care about and do the same for myself. I figure as long as I'm living single, I may as well make it worth it." 

45. DON'T text. "Communicating by text doesn't trigger the same responses in our brains as interacting face-to-face," says Alexander. "Texting is less rewarding and provides less of the chemical reactions that lead to human bonding. It's not like you shouldn't ever text, like if you're late or want to change plans, but if you've got anything important to say, including something seductive, texting isn't the way to go." 

46. DO trust your instincts. "Years ago, I suspected that my boyfriend was cheating. I even went looking through his phone for proof. The thing is, guilty or innocent, it didn't matter. I already knew in my gut that he was wrong for me. Now I listen to my gut and save myself the detective work." 
--Genese Jamilah, Savannah 
47. DON'T waste time being jealous. 
"That guy your best friend just got engaged to was right for her, not you, and her engaged status doesn't mean you will always be single," says Della Casa. "Be happy for your friends and not only will your friendships flourish, but you may even meet someone at their weddings." 

48. DO your best to listen to your friends when they tell you your new boyfriend is a douchebag. "When the people who love you the most have a problem with someone who knows you the least, listen up," says Cohen. "These people probably see something you are too afraid to see or want to avoid acknowledging." 

49. DO stay positive. "Even if you have had a few frustrating experiences, a great attitude will make all the difference," says DeAlto. 

50. DO have a life outside your relationship. "You never know, one day your boyfriend or girlfriend might say goodbye," says Cohen, "and if you always have a life, you always have somewhere to go, something to do, and someone to go with."

“Being jealous reminds me of how much I love him”: Managing Jealousy

Even though I have a strict policy about mobile phone usage during class time, every now and then, I will “catch” my students surfing the internet or texting their while in class. When I discover the infraction, I kindly remind the class (while making eye contact with the distracted student) that there is no mobile phone usage during class time. More often than not, students will put their phone in their pocket or bag and resume paying attention. Sometimes though, there are a handful of students who are unable to detach themselves from their phone and will attempt to “sneek” text with their phone in their lap….as if I don’t know or won’t see what they are doing. One time, I asked a student to remain after class after being asked 3x to put her mobile phone away. When I asked her what was so important that kept her from focusing in on what was discussed in class, she said that her boyfriend (who lived in another state) did not like the fact that she had to work on a class project with two other male students. She commented that her partner was really nervous about whether or not anything was going on and how he could not understand why she couldn’t at least text him during class time to let him know that she was “okay.” When I asked her if she liked having a jealous boyfriend, she smiled and said that she didn’t mind because she doesn’t like it when he is not available to her because she believes that he might be with his ex. She further commented, “Being jealous reminds me how much I love him.” Jealousy can be a significant challenge for couples in relationships because it creates a high level of anxiety and ambivalence. Usually when one or both parties are jealous of one another, there may have been some unmet expectation in a previous or in their current relationship that enables uncertainty if something negative will happen. People become jealous when they are unable to feel secure about themselves or their position in their relationships. For some, suspiciousness about your partner may have emerged from an inability to develop and maintain trusting relationships with him/her, family members, or co-workers. Others become jealous because they compare themselves to others and feel inadequate about who they are or what they do. For those who are insecure about the position they have in their relationships, they may be unable to effectively negotiate what they want from their partners and remain wary about other relationships developed or maintained by his/her partner. So for example, if you become jealous about the time your friend spends with his other friends and refuses to commit to being in a relationship with you, then it seems likely that you may need to spend time talking and communicating your expectations and boundaries (e.g., emotional and social constraints) for being in a healthy friendship or relationship. Can being jealous be healthy? Sure. As long as it does not prevent you from paying attention in class (e.g., my student), being a good parent to your children (e.g., feeling consumed by what your ex is doing rather than being focused on your kids), doing your job effectively (e.g., feeling distracted or anxious because you are worried about your ex not texting/calling you back), or skews your interaction with your partner (e.g., feeling like you have to “police” his/her actions because you don’t trust them or the people he/she spends time with). Remember that healthy relationships are those relationships where partners can predict each other’s behavior and are secure that behavior will fall in-line with explicit and implicit expectations. Secure relationships entail couples “being there” for one another emotionally, intimately, and spiritually. When jealousy is unhealthy here are a few tips to help reduce your stress: 1. Talk honestly with your partner about your feelings and accept that you cannot control his/her actions. 2. Spend time with family or friends who can help distract you. 3. Re-discover a hobby or develop an interest that might be fun. 4. Exercise and try to expend some energy. 5. Meditate, pray, listen to music, or engage with art. 6. Talk with a professional about whether your jealousy is about your partner not meeting your expectation or if you have not resolved past hurts/emotional trauma.

When My Partner Wants Hot Sex and I Don’t…

Over the past month or so, I have seen an increase in the number of couples who have come in to see me with a presenting issue of being sexually incompatible. One partner complains that his/her mate refuses to initiate sex or that his/her sex drive is stronger than his/her partner. Hot, steamy, and animalistic sex has become an afterthought and has been replaced by the television, Playstation/X-Box, or to household chores. The other partner typically suggests that there are other issues around intimacy (e.g., trust, poor boundaries, unmet relational expectations, etc.) that need to be addressed first. Both of them can usually attest that coming in for therapy is the final option before possibly shifting the relationship. Many couples struggle with having incongruent sexual appetites and so you and your mate are not alone. Whether it is the frequency of sex, type of sex, or initiating sex, some couples have a difficult time trying to get on the “same page.” At one time or another in the relationship, it seemed like both of you just “clicked” and could read each other’s minds and were very much in-tune with the other’s desires. Children, employment, family, and health challenges emerged over time and now one/both of you feel differently about your bodies, your partner, and the way you express your sexuality to another. Keep in mind that if there are other issues that have not been addressed (e.g., trust, money, parenting, unresolved hurts, etc.), it may be difficult to build and maintain a healthy sex life with one another. Those sensitive topics that make one or both of you feel uncomfortable should be resolved before trying to work on your sexually intimate experiences with one another. Once all of that is ironed out then you and your partner should consider the following: First, you/your partner may want to consult with your doctor to rule out any physiological/hormonal challenges that may be affecting your libido. Second, if that goes well, have an honest discussion with your partner about your sexual expectations, boundaries, and desires/fantasies. Sometimes, couples learn things about themselves and their partners that they did not know—including what intimacy REALLY means to each other. Third, plan sexy dates with one another but be open to engage in other activities besides sex. Kissing, hugging, body massages, showering together, sharing/feeding the other desserts, etc. can all be just as fun as sex! A final alternative is to talk with a sexuality therapist who can help you two move past this common hurdle. GOOD LUCK!!! Dr. James Wadley is an Associate Professor and Director of the Master of Human Services Program at Lincoln University. He’s a licensed professional counselor and marriage, family, and sexuality therapist in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

“Getting There”: Reaching Your Orgasmic Potential

I was recently asked by a national print publication about my thoughts about sexual intimacy and intensifying orgasms and I wanted to share a few tips with you to help you “get there” when you are by yourself or with your “Boo”. Too often, we become so fixated on having a mind blowing, earth shattering, toe curling orgasm that we forget how nice it can be to be teased, touched, enticed, caressed, taken, enthralled, and compelled sexually. Sure, chandelier-hanging sex “til the cops come knockin” is cool but for many people, the challenge of reaching orgasmic ecstasy remains elusive. Here are a few tips that you may want to consider: 1. Be present. Be "in the moment" and try not to think about work, kids, bills, or the challenges of life. Focus on what feels pleasurable for you. 2. Be patient. Trying to rush your climax may only delay it from happening. Give yourself as much time as you want to enjoy being sexy for yourself and/or for your partner. 3. Be creative. Having only one way to "get there" may get old over time. Be willing to experiment with different positions, different times of the day, various places, and using toys. 4. Be free to be you. Know what turns you on/off. Do you like seductive talking? Maybe wear sexy clothes? Do you prefer the lights on/off? Firm or soft body caressing? Does spontaneity turn you on? Figure out what it takes you "there”. 5. Be willing. Be willing to teach your partner about what you like and what you don’t like sexually. Your partner isn’t going to know unless you tell him/her what is sexy and pleasurable to you. Some people prefer to be passionately kissed on their neck while others prefer to have their thighs, calves, and feet caressed. Tell your partner what feels good and be willing to even show him/her what turns you on. The biggest challenge for my many of my clients is being comfortable with their own bodies. Oftentimes, people feel shameful about their size, shape, or way that their body moves and this prevents them from surrendering themselves sexually to their partners. Healthy relationships involve talking about how you feel about your body as well as how it impacts your sexual experience. Consider sharing with each other what you like sexually, what you think about sexually, and how you feel as a sexual being in order to develop a deeper sense of intimacy. Finally, you and your partner should take time out to discuss sexual expectations (e.g., frequency, protection from unplanned pregnancy and STIs, positions, etc.) for yourself and your relationship. Remember that your best sexual organ is your brain and that the dirty four-letter word that most couples fail to address with regards to sex is…TALK. Dr. James Wadley is an Associate Professor and Director of the Master of Human Services Program at Lincoln University. He’s a licensed professional counselor and marriage, family, and sexuality therapist in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

Infidelity….What Really Happens and What To Do About It

I typically get invited to many professional and social events that hosts men and women talking about their careers and their relationships. More often than not, a few people will be engaged in dialogue about their relationship as well as the perceived trajectory of whether things will “work out” or not. In the same light, there are other conversations about whether or not some one would accept or “put up” with questionable acts that may be classified by some as cheating. I rarely join in these conversations because I try not to get into people’s personal matters since that is what I do professionally but I am frequently asked to offer my sentiments by weighing in on sensitive discussions. I must confess that since I am not “on the clock” I may suggest an opinion that is totally skewed from what I believe the people around me want to hear because just like them, I deserve to have a nice time that does not include working. On the other hand, when I can tell that the initial conversation has taken on a more serious tone, I will usually put on my “professional hat” and share: What is infidelity? Infidelity happens when two parties have made an explicit (e.g., “We are going to be emotionally and sexually monogamous,” or “We are together,”) or implicit (e.g., We kissed, had sex, shared secrets, spent time with each other’s family, etc. but the relationship status was not discussed) agreement to not engage in the same behavior or emotional interaction with another person. When the agreement is severed by one or both parties, any transaction with another person is expected to be disclosed or maintained a secret (contingent upon one’s value system regarding truth, honesty, disclosure, etc.). Infidelity is individually constructed and relative to the person. In other words, there are many perspectives about what cheating is/is not, what infidelity means to the relationship, and whether or not it is a “deal breaker”. So for example, you may believe that a person cheats when he/she engages in oral, vaginal, or anal sex with someone else but feel that sexting an ex-partner is playful flirting. Another example might be sharing secrets or engaging in intimate behaviors with someone other than your primary partner and rationalizing the experience as “not cheating” because you never had sex with the other person. Yet another example might be, sexual intimacy with someone other than your partner but believe that since the feelings you have for the other person are not as strong as those for your primary partner, then the act was not cheating. A final example might be having a romantic interlude with someone else and not disclosing it to your partner. If confronted about it, then its cheating….if you are not confronted by your spouse, then it is okay. Please understand that if you and your partner have not talked about your actions and consented to those actions beforehand…it’s cheating. Forms of Infidelity As I mentioned above, cheating comes in many forms and is relative to each party. When I speak with my clients and students about infidelity, I share with them that I consider infidelity to be a deflection of intimacy where individuals choose not to address issues that exist in their relationship. So for example, imagine getting into an argument with your partner about whose turn it is clean out the garage. Both of you argue for hours until you decide to retreat to another part of the house. You invest countless hours (and sometimes days) playing video games, surfing the internet, spending intimate time with someone else, consuming alcohol/drugs, gambling, or eating and you still have not resolved the issue of cleaning out the garage. With any of the above activities you physically, emotionally, and intimately “check out” because you choose not to deal with the issue or have not developed a communication skill set to address what is really going on between the two of you. These activities serve as deflections in that they may keep you and your partner from sharing your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors with one another and being as close as you may want to be. It is frequently assumed that cheating has to be with another person, but it is evident that emotional detachments can occur from excessive consumption of alcohol, drugs, video games, internet surfing, eating, pornography, shopping, etc. These other behaviors can be just as insidious and traumatic as being sexually intimate with another person. The presenting issue for clients in my private practice may be infidelity, but underneath that, it is eventually discovered that the couple may not have agreed upon money, sex, parenting, interaction with former partners, chores, or their relationship status. Subsuming those issues may be feelings of fear, anxiety, abandonment, or depression. The cheater may have chosen to be with someone else because it was “easier” than addressing his/her personal or relational challenges. The Unfaithful When some people are unfaithful, they may be unsettled or unsure about how to deal with their feelings about being in a committed relationship. Earlier, I asserted that relationships have explicit and implicit agreements that provide behavioral, emotional, and intimate expectations for both parties and when some people are unable or chose to not have meaningful dialogue about their relational positioning, they cheat. Understanding the relative and fluid context of cheating, the unfaithful person may engage sexually (e.g., in real life or virtual) with another person (e.g., acquaintance or stranger) or develop an unrevealed emotional attachment to someone other than his/her primary partner. During this time, the cheater may experience a range of feelings for the other partner including relief, guilt, confusion, safety, anxiety or love. At the same time, sentiments towards the spouse or primary partner may include anger, frustration, confusion, ambivalence, and even love. Becoming intimate with another person only complicates matters because the person who he/she is spending time with cannot effectively resolve any issue that exists between the unfaithful person and his/her primary partner. Inasmuch, the other person cannot resolve any emotional issue that exists within the infidel. In other words, the cheater may be confused, anxious, or harbor resentments about his/her current relationship and while the other man/woman may be able distract the cheater temporarily, he/she cannot resolve the internal emotional chaos that exists within. Upon disclosure or discovery, the person who cheated may also experience a mixture of feelings including shame, confusion, anxiety, depression, rage, euphoria, sexual arousal, or resentment. For many people who are unfaithful, the cauldron of emotion can be difficult to untangle without professional support. Spouse/Primary Partner Enduring the Trauma When spouses find out (by discovery or disclosure) that their partner’s behavior has negatively moved beyond the initial relational expectations, it can be devastating. Most people who want a healthy relationship do not anticipate their partner betraying them and when it happens, it can be confusing, unsettling, and oftentimes traumatic. Paradoxically, while some spouses may be enraged, bitter, or resentful towards his/her partner’s behavior, they may also be stirred, triggered, and sometimes aroused after hearing about the intimate experiences of the cheater. The snafu of emotions and sexual intimate behavior may emanate from a heightened recognition and awareness of individual vulnerability of both parties. Spouses may find themselves angry at one moment and possibly amorous a few minutes or hours later as they try to construct meaning from the betrayal and manage themselves emotionally. Some partners may fear abandonment, further betrayal, or the possibility of cheating themselves. Other partners may sever the relationship altogether and find themselves emotionally unavailable to anyone else in the future. Professional support is encouraged for spouses in that it can help unweave complex feelings and help partners develop a behavioral and emotional plan to manage their trauma. The Other Person Sometimes the other person knows nothing about the relationship status of his/her lover because deception was involved. When it is disclosed or discovered that there is someone else romantically, the other person may experience the same feelings as the primary partner and struggle to create meaning out of the intimate interaction. Some people may not care if his/her partner is in a relationship with someone else and are able to set emotional boundaries for themselves and not become too emotionally invested/entangled. Matters can become quite complex when all parties (e.g., spouse, cheater, and other person) come together and confront one another regarding actual and perceived behaviors, interpretations of those behaviors, and everyone’s affective response. Again, feelings of betrayal, confusion, resentment, anger, frustration, and fear may become heightened during the confrontation leaving all parties without any sense of clarity or direction. What to do? Confronting all of the personal and relational issues and untangling all of the behavioral and emotional complexities for both parties can be tough even for a skilled therapist. Below are a few suggestions that I have offered to my clients and students about how to reduce the possibility of infidelity and how to handle it if it occurs: 1. Spend time talking with your partner about your relationship status and the emotional, sexual, and intimate expectations at the beginning and throughout the relationship. Accept and understand that people change over time as well as their interpretations of relationship. 2. Have a constructive in-depth discussion about honesty, disclosure, forgiveness, and relationship history and talk about what worked/did not work for you. 3. Be patient and understanding when you and your primary partner talk about previous relationships that were traumatic or unfulfilling and develop solutions to not make the same mistakes. Be willing to listen to one another if trauma exists in your current relationship. 4. If you have unresolved issues from a previous relationship or within your current relationship, talk with a professional to get support. Dr. James Wadley is an Associate Professor and Director of the Master of Human Services Program at Lincoln University. He’s a licensed professional counselor and marriage, family, and sexuality therapist in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. He is one of the nation’s best sexuality therapists and educators. His website is www.drjameswadley.com and you can follow him on twitter @phdjamesw