Dr. Maha Nasrallah-Babenko

The goal is to differentiate while being in relationship - to hold on to your sense of self AND connect with others. #Repost @sheleanaaiyana We can find the ego sneaking in the back door of our healing experience whenever our healing is accompanied by the intention to become needless.... Ultra-independence, the lone wolf archetype, the hyper-individualistic path of healing all share a common thread - they work for the ego. There is great risk taken in opening ourselves to connection and being vulnerable with others. Sometimes what looks like healing is really a sealing of the entryways that lead to the heart. Relationship is the hardest path because we aren’t in control and often have to face the most hurt and scared parts of ourselves that can more easily be dismissed or ignored when we’re on our own. The idea that when we’re healed we won’t need anyone is not true healing, it is a trauma response.It is the ego as gate-keeper, protecting the heart from ever being hurt again. But if not for connection and true belonging, then what is this all for? To accept and embrace our most primal needs for community and connection, we must also face ourselves in the shadows and the pride that defends from being truly seen.We are not here to be lone-wolves, disconnected from others and the world around us. It is the idea that we should all be entirely separate and have it all taken care of our own that has brought us to this time on the planet with profound imbalances of power, equality, food and resources. You are not here to learn how to become needless. It is the wound that wants to stay separate. Don’t let the ego win. When you feel like closing your heart up and giving up - please remember, your pain does not make you separate from others. You are not alone in your suffering, and your story does not have to end here. Let your past experiences serve as a reminder of your resilience rather than evidence of an unsafe world. Life isn’t trying to break you down.it’s trying to break you open. @sheleanaaiyana

Looking forward to this fun chat with the hilarious @zarnagarg ! Tune in on her IG live this Thursday!

No further explanation needed

Most of us refer to intercourse as sex and don’t consider other pleasurable experiences as part of the same definition. I find that when people only view sex as penetrative sex, that tends to limit their sex lives because intimacy is then defined purely as either intercourse or nothing. Some people also start avoiding all types of physical contact because they don’t want their partner to think they want sex, which can then lead to a significant decrease in the affection dis...played in the relationship. Sensual touch, manual stimulation, oral sex, sexting, teasing, watching for reading erotic material together, dancing seductively, gazing deeply into each other’s eyes, are just some examples of other ways you can expand your sexual repertoire and create more intimacy. Try some of these things without putting the pressure on it leading to intercourse. And of course, don’t forget to communicate with your partner!

#happyweekend #funnymeme #funnyrelationshipmemes

Love having meaningful conversations with wonderful people like Shilpa #Repost @shilpacacho My interview with Dr.Maha is packed with info about how to overcome relationship hurdles, dealing with the in-laws, tackling mismatched sex drives, and how to survive the first year of marriage and create a healthy relationship that can last. ... Dr. Maha is passionate about helping people live, love, and sexually connect more authentically, courageously, and freely, through meaningful and challenging conversations and experiences. She believes that healing is the journey towards holism, and finds great joy and fulfillment in helping clients through that journey. Connect with Dr. Maha on Instagram: @sexualhealingdoc Website: www.sexualhealingdoc.com Connect with me on Instagram: @ShilpaCacho She completed her Ph.D. in Psychology at University College London, UK, and has a Diploma in Psychosexual and Relationship Therapy accredited by the College of Sexual and Relationship Therapists (COSRT), UK. She offers an integrated approach that combines the fundamentals of Humanistic therapy, Cognitive Behavioral techniques, the Gestalt approach, Psychodynamic model, and IMAGO theory. She is currently a Certified Sexologist from the American College of Sexologists. In addition, she has completed a Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) Practitioner and Coach training, a Sports Psychology Coaching certification, and a Nature-Based Therapy course. She is also in the process of completing an Animal-Assisted Psychotherapy Certification. She has been practicing as a Psychosexual and Relationship Therapist for the last decade, in addition to offering workshops, retreats, and couples intensives. Having lived in London, Lebanon, Dubai, New York City, and now California, she has worked with clients from diverse backgrounds and cultures. She is currently working with Walk Intuit as a Psychological Assistant and is able to offer in-person therapy sessions and online coaching/consulting sessions in English or Arabic. You can find more information on her professional background on her website: www.sexualhealingdoc.com

Such an important topic!! Sex should not be painful! One of the reasons sex would be painful for women is insufficient arousal. If you’re experiencing painful sex and have no organic or medical cause for that, work with someone like me who is trained in sexual difficulties. The amazing Pelvic PT’s at @pelvichealing can also help you with any of your pelvic challenges Let’s get you to a place where you can have comfortable and pleasurable sex! #Repost @pelvichealing... NEVER EVER EVER!!! Pain with sex is absolutely not normal! What about after a baby? Nope! During menopause? Absolutely not! After the first time? Never! As pelvic floor specialists, we want to bust these myths. Some may experience painful sex: 1. Anytime throughout the lifespan 2. Upon 1st attempt 3. During or after pregnancy/breastfeeding 4. During peri-menopause or menopause 5. After pelvic surgery 6. With sexual pain disorders and pelvic pain diagnoses 7. During/after breast cancer treatment 8. Extended oral birth control use 9. After periods of extreme stress If you experience pain with sex, know that it is not normal regardless of any circumstance. Do not lose hope because are are many different ways it can be treated. If you missed Julie's presentation about painful sex with @therealchefaj, it is available to watch on Chef AJ's Youtube channel. If you haven't already, check it out! It is filled with tons of valuable information you don't want to miss!

Oh where to begin! Here’s your weekly dose of meaningful conversation. Hope it instigates beautiful dialogue and insights into yourselves and each other!

Sound on for this one! Even when #rockclimbing over the weekend we ended up talking about penises, sex, relationships, and all sorts of things that so many of us are ashamed to discuss and yet are part of our natural life and human curiosity. I love that my job gives me permission to express myself more freely, and as a result, seems to give people I meet more comfort to do that same. I hope to continue to do my part in reducing the shame and guilt associated with our natural human issues so that people can feel more at peace with their bodies and inner selves Thank you Annie and @stone_adventures for making this #climbing experience fun, light, safe, and challenging!

Literal quote from my husband @drbobabenko this morning: Happy wife, empty bank account. Hugging a tree and being with him and our Lexi also make me happy though

Hi! Just popping in to introduce myself to those of you who don’t know me I’m Dr. Maha I have a PhD in Psychology and a Diploma in Psychosexual and Relationship Therapy I offer coaching and consulting sessions for adults (currently online)... Specifically regarding relationship and sexual issues or goals I speak English and Arabic Thank you for following me and being open to learning more about yourself!

View from our room this weekend #labordayweekend

Thank you @womeninspireart for this informative illustration on #worldsexualhealthday