A Reflection from Trish & Heather, Co-Founders: Celebrating Two Years of Dalliance
Hello Dear Reader,
Two years ago, we opened the doors to Dalliance with a vision: to create a space where people could explore, heal, and grow in their relationships, intimacy, and sense of self. What began as an idea has become a living, breathing community—one that has stretched us, sustained us, and inspired us in ways we never could have imagined.
Over these past two years, Dalliance has seen many seasons. We’ve changed names, welcomed incredible new clinicians, and said heartfelt goodbyes to others as they continued on their own paths. Each transition has been a reminder that growth requires movement, flexibility, and trust—values we hold close in both our personal and professional lives.
Together with our team, we’ve had the privilege of supporting our clients through nearly 5,000 sessions. That number represents so much more than hours on a calendar—it reflects moments of courage, breakthroughs, healing tears, and laughter. It reflects the deep honor of being invited into people’s most intimate and vulnerable stories.
Beyond our therapy rooms, we’ve grown our network of referral partners, built meaningful collaborations, and launched this very newsletter to stay connected with you, our community. And because Dalliance has always been about expanding the ways we serve, we stepped into Beyond Dalliance—an ever-evolving space where we explore cutting-edge approaches to support well-being, pleasure, and possibility in new and innovative ways through Psychedelic Assisted Therapy.
For us as co-founders, this journey has been transformative. We’ve grown not only as business owners and supervisors, but also as colleagues and friends. We’ve learned how to navigate the joys and challenges of running a group practice, while staying rooted in the heart of why we started: helping people build healthier, happier, more pleasure-filled lives.
To everyone who has been a part of this journey—our clients, clinicians, referral partners, our families, and community—we want to say thank you. Thank you for trusting us, for walking alongside us, and for believing in this work. We’re humbled by what has unfolded, and so excited for what lies ahead.
With gratitude and heart,
Heather & Trish
Co-Founders and Clinical Directors at Dalliance Relationship Wellness Center
Be sure to check out our website www.dalliancetherapycenter.com
We invite you to stay connected with us via this newsletter, our Instagram page @dalliance_rwc, our Facebook page @Dalliance Relationship Wellness, our X (Twitter) page @dalliance_rwc, our Pinterest page @dalliance_rwc.
How Stress, Hormones, and Mental Health Impact Your Sex Life
Sexual health is deeply intertwined with your mental and emotional well-being. While many people associate sexual issues with physical causes, factors like stress, hormonal imbalances, and mental health conditions often play a larger role than expected.
Understanding how these factors influence your sex life can help you take steps toward a healthier, more fulfilling intimate experience.
1. The Role of Stress in Sexual Health
Stress is a natural response to life’s demands—but chronic stress can wreak havoc on your libido and sexual performance.
How Stress Affects Sexual Function:
Distraction and Mental Fatigue: When your mind is occupied with worry (e.g., work, finances, family), it’s harder to be present and engage in intimacy.
Cortisol Overload: Prolonged stress increases levels of cortisol (the stress hormone), which can lower libido by disrupting sex hormone production.
Physical Tension: Stress often leads to muscle tension, headaches, and fatigue—all of which make sexual activity less appealing.
The Vicious Cycle:
Stress can lower your interest in sex, and a lack of sexual intimacy can, in turn, increase feelings of stress, anxiety, or disconnection—especially in relationships.
2. Hormones: The Hidden Regulators of Sexual Desire
Your body’s hormonal balance plays a crucial role in sexual desire, arousal, and satisfaction. Even small fluctuations can have a noticeable impact.
Key Hormones That Influence Sex Life:
Testosterone: While commonly associated with men, this hormone is also vital for women. Low testosterone can lead to decreased libido in both sexes.
Estrogen: In women, estrogen helps maintain vaginal lubrication and elasticity. A drop (e.g., during menopause) can cause discomfort during sex and lower interest.
Progesterone: Often overlooked, progesterone helps regulate mood and sleep—both essential for a healthy sex drive.
Oxytocin & Dopamine: These “feel-good” hormones are associated with bonding, arousal, and pleasure.
Hormonal Imbalance Triggers:
- Aging (menopause, andropause)
- Birth control and medications
- Thyroid issues
- Chronic illness or eating disorders
If you’re experiencing persistent changes in libido or sexual function, it may be worth speaking with a healthcare provider about checking your hormone levels.
3. Mental Health: The Mind-Body Connection
Your mental health directly influences how you feel about your body, relationships, and sexual experiences.
Anxiety and Depression:
- Anxiety can lead to performance fears, intrusive thoughts, and physical symptoms like rapid heart rate or muscle tension—making sex feel stressful rather than enjoyable.
- Depression often causes a loss of interest in previously enjoyable activities, including sex. Antidepressant medications (especially SSRIs) can also reduce libido or delay orgasm.
Body Image and Self-Esteem:
Mental health challenges can distort body image and lower self-esteem, making individuals feel unattractive or unworthy of intimacy.
Trauma and PTSD:
People with a history of trauma, especially sexual trauma, may experience triggers during intimacy, leading to emotional detachment or avoidance of sex altogether.
How to Support a Healthy Sex Life
Here are some evidence-based strategies to help restore sexual wellness:
1. Manage Stress Effectively:
- Practice relaxation techniques like deep breathing, mindfulness, or yoga.
- Set healthy boundaries to avoid burnout.
- Prioritize sleep and physical activity.
2. Address Hormonal Concerns:
- Talk to your doctor about hormone testing if you notice significant changes in libido or sexual response.
- Consider therapy or support during life transitions like menopause or postpartum.
3. Support Mental Health:
- Seek therapy if anxiety, depression, or trauma is affecting your sex life.
- Communicate openly with your partner about your emotional needs.
- Review medications with your healthcare provider—some can be adjusted to reduce sexual side effects.
4. Strengthen Emotional Intimacy:
- Emotional connection often enhances physical intimacy.
- Practice vulnerability, active listening, and shared experiences with your partner.
The takeaway?
Sexual health is not just about biology—it’s a reflection of your whole self. Stress, hormonal imbalances, and mental health struggles can all impact your desire, performance, and satisfaction. The good news? These are not fixed conditions. With the right support, self-awareness, and treatment, it’s possible to rekindle your sex life and experience deeper intimacy—both with yourself and your partner.
Therapist in the Spotlight:
5 Questions with Kristin Mitchell
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your background as a therapist?
I’m a Marriage and Family Therapist Intern passionate about helping individuals, couples, and families strengthen their relationships and feel more connected to themselves and others. My work is trauma-informed, sex-positive, kink-allied, and rooted in intersectionality. I use approaches like Narrative Therapy, Experiential techniques, Emotionally Focused Therapy, the Gottman Method, and Internal Family Systems to create a safe and brave space for growth and healing
Outside of the therapy room, I am a nature and movement enthusiast—I love rollerblading around Denver, skiing in the mountains, and practicing aerial yoga. I am a regular at the Denver Botanic Gardens (my happy place) and a devoted plant mom. At home, I share life with my cat Suki, who has perfected the art of dramatic lounging. I am also known for singing my lungs out in the car, going down rabbit holes about geology and crystals, and hosting cozy nights with friends filled with laughter and good conversation. These passions keep me grounded, playful, and creative, which I bring into my work with clients.
What is your therapist superpower?
Helping clients rewrite their narratives in ways that honor their truth while opening doors to hope, connection, and possibility. I love weaving in experiential techniques—like movement, breath work, parts work, anything Satir, and other somatic approaches—to help clients tap into their inner wisdom and express emotions that sometimes words alone cannot reach. This blend creates powerful breakthroughs that bring healing on both mind and body levels.
What part of you has grown the most through being a therapist?
My capacity to hold complexity. I have learned to sit with clients in moments where things are not black and white, where grief and joy coexist, and where progress does not always look like a straight line.
How do you approach the therapeutic relationship with your clients?
I see therapy as a co-creative relationship built on trust, safety, and mutual respect. My role is to walk alongside you, not ahead of you, while offering tools, perspectives, and compassionate challenge when it is helpful. Your voice, identity, and lived experience lead the way.
What is the most effective intervention you find yourself giving to clients lately?
Inviting clients to slow down and check in with their bodies before reacting or making decisions. Our nervous systems carry so much wisdom, and learning to tune into them often creates breakthroughs in understanding and connection.
Dalliance in Practice
A Monthly Therapeutic Tool from Our Couch to Your Inbox
Touch Exploration
Exploration of the Body Without Pressure
Begin with Grounding:
- Take 2–3 minutes for deep breathing or a mindfulness body scan.
- Bring attention to the present moment and the intention of being present in your body.
Set an Agreement:
- No talking (except to pause or stop).
- No expectation of intercourse or orgasm.
- Focus is purely on exploring touch as sensation, not as a means to arousal.
Partnered Version:
- One partner touches, the other simply receives.
- After 10–15 minutes, switch roles.
- Use slow, intentional touch on arms, back, face, neck, legs—avoid erogenous zones.
- Use different pressures, speeds, and parts of the hand to notice sensation.
Solo Version:
- Explore your own body slowly with the same parameters.
- You can use a mirror, warm oil, or soft fabrics to enhance sensory input.
While Touching or Receiving:
- If thoughts drift to performance or worries, gently return focus to the physical sensations.
- Focus on the sensation: Is it warm? Cool? Rough? Smooth?
- Notice emotions that arise without judgment.
Pieces of Pleasure
Every month we will be sharing the resources that are getting us thinking, learning & loving…
What We Are Listening To: Connectfulness: How Stress Affects Sex with Rebecca Wong
What We Are Reading: Unfuck Your Intimacy: Using Science for Better Relationships, Sex, and Dating by Faith G. Harper
What We Are Watching: A Beautiful Mind
