Have you ever wondered what real–and really good–couples therapy looks like? Then you must check out Showtime’s Couples Therapy. Across four absolutely fascinating seasons and a few dozen couples (and more!), this show gives you a raw, unfiltered look at the struggles and breakthroughs that happen when people sit down with a therapist, Dr. Orna Guralnik, who really knows her stuff.
What’s truly captivating is watching Dr. Orna’s psychoanalytic approach in action. As a classically trained research psychologist, we’ve been taught to look down on the psychoanalytic method. And yet, you can’t help but admit that, in the hands of an expert, the method works. Dr. Orna masterfully connects present relationship struggles to earlier childhood experiences, and seeing people’s minds get blown as they connect the dots for themselves is beyond satisfying. Psychoanalysis has never looked so good.
Of course, not every couple has a happy ending, but almost every person gets a lot of insights and heals a lot of wounds in those sessions.
The most recent season of the show was particularly special because it introduced a V – a relationship unit involving three people: Josh as the hinge of the V, and Aryn and Lorena as his two long-term partners. And get this: I actually know them! Funny enough, I matched with Josh on Feeld a few years back, though we never met up (I was looking for more of a primary partner and he was already partnered with Aryn. And then, as fate would have it, we crossed paths unexpectedly through the psychedelic community in NYC.
Since then, I’ve gotten to know him a bit, and met both his partners, and let me tell you, seeing their dynamic on screen as they were navigating a particularly challenging transition from hierarchical polyamory to nonhierarchical polyamory was fascinating.
With polyamory making headlines and capturing more mainstream attention than ever, this show is the perfect chance to explore what it means to live a polyamorous life, both in private and on a bigger stage.
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Sex, Love & Science Newsletter by Dr. Zhana
The science of love, sex and relationships.
In your inbox (almost) every week.
See you there?
Are you in NYC and curious to learn more about this V and where they are now? If so, you’re in for a treat! My dear friend Allie and her team at ‘thefeels’ is hosting an in-person Q&A with Josh Decker! “Feeling Into: A Poly Life Portrait,” takes place in Manhattan on Tuesday, September 17th, 7-10pm ET and offers a rare opportunity to hear Josh’s firsthand account of living and loving as part of a polycule—especially with the added challenge of doing it in the public eye.
With polyamory making headlines and capturing more mainstream attention than ever, this event is the perfect chance to explore what it means to live a polyamorous life, both in private and on a bigger stage.
And guess what? I’ll be there too! This is your chance to connect with me in person, and I’d love to see you there!
Until next time,
Dr. Zhana
