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September 19, 2025 47 mins

Dr. Tammy sits down with relationship therapists Mary Kay Cocharo and Evie Shafner to discuss how reactivity and anxiety kills connection and libido, and to how cultivate the space between you and your partner - because that space is where your relationship and family lives and thrives.

OUR GUESTS

Mary Kay Cocharo

Former Employment Recruiter turned Marriage and Family Therapist, Mary Kay Cocharo specializes working with couples and families. She is certified in Imago Relationship Therapy and achieved the level of Master Practitioner in Encounter-centered Couples Transformation. She works with couples one on one, as well as hosting retreats.

Mary Kay is an active member of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapy, the Los Angeles Association of Marriage and Family Therapy, North America Imago Relationship Therapy, and Southern California Imago Therapy. Mary Kay is also an expert contributor to Your Tango and Marriage.com.

Check out Mary Kay's Connect - Communicate - Create card deck,  It's a fun and effective way for you and your partner to cultivate and restore the connection and passion in your relationship!

Evie Shafner

Clinical psychologists and relationship therapist, Evie Shafner, LMFT has been working with couples since 1979.  She is a co-founder of the Los Angeles Women’s Therapy Center, and has been a trained Imago Relationship Therapist since the 1990's. She has been on the Board of Imago Relational International for the last 6 years.  She believes that Imago is the best technology for healing the places in our relationships that cause disconnect.   

Evie is in private practice in Los Angeles, and works with couples in person and remotely.

DR. TAMMY WANTS TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS about Sex, Love & Relationship and help you with your Trouble with Sex. Send your questions to drtammy@thetroublewithsex.com.

INTERESTED IN BECOMING A CERTIFIED SEX THERAPIST?
Visit ISTI - Integrative Sex Therapy InstituteIf you are already a therapist, find out how to receive your AASECT Sex Therapist Certification. Or, elevate your practice in relational psychotherapy by earning the new Certified Sex and Couples Therapist designation (CSCT).​ AASECT and CSCT renewal and re-certification classes are also offered.
 
THE TROUBLE WITH SEX
RESOURCES, REFERENCES & INFO

IF YOU'RE CONSIDERING OPENING YOUR RELATIONSHIP, CHECK OUT DR. TAMMY'S BOOK -
OPEN MONOGAMY!

To read more about how to improve your sex life, check out Dr. Tammy's Getting the Sex You Want: Shed Your Inhibitions and Reach New Heights of Passion Together.

Learn more about love, marriage, infidelity, monogamy and how to redefine your commitment to each other in Dr. Tammy's TEDX talk - The New Monogamy.

Instagram @thetroublewithsex and doctor_tammynelson

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