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The Couples Healing podcast is a resource to help husbands in their porn addiction recovery and to help couples restore the trust and connection again in their marriage. The effects of pornography addiction or sex addiction can be devastating individually and in the relationship, but with the right approach, men can learn how to stop watching porn, heal the pain it causes his wife, and rebuild trust again in the marriage. Each episode is designed to give you new insights, tools, and strategies to help you at each stage of your journey, whether you‘re just now beginning to address the pornography use, or if you‘ve been struggling for many years and still feel stuck. In the podcast, I also share ways for women to feel empowered, safe, and worthy. I also share how the couple can navigate their relationship together after it’s been impacted by pornography and the trust has been broken. Join me, Sam Tielemans, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, as I share my expertise and knowledge to help you find freedom, peace, confidence, connection, and hope.
Episodes

3 hours ago
3 hours ago
In today’s episode, we’re diving into five essential skills that will help you and your partner heal and grow after being impacted by pornography use.
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure where to begin in the recovery process—or if you’re willing to do the work but just need direction—this episode is for you.
You’ll learn about practical, proven skills that have helped hundreds of couples make real progress and strengthen their relationship, no matter what stage you’re in.
These five skills can help you take the next step forward on your journey to healing together.
For therapy with Sam:
I will work with you for 12 weeks to help you eliminate pornography use and resolve the root cause so it doesn't come back.
If after the 12 weeks you haven’t fully overcome it, I’ll work with you for free until you do.
Click here for info to work with me directly.
Have questions you want me to address on future podcast episodes?
Email me here:
sam@healingcouples.org
Get access to my trust building workshop:
Want access to a free course I created for my podcast listeners?
Click the Couples Healing website and in the course you'll learn some top strategies to find healing from addiction and trauma, rebuild trust, experience freedom, and begin to reconnect with each other in the relationship.
Follow Me on Instagram for daily tips and tools you can implement to overcome pornography addiction.
Tune in to get clarity, encouragement, and actionable steps to support your relationship!

Thursday Apr 17, 2025
192: 5 Core Skills You Need to Overcome Pornography For Good (pt. 1)
Thursday Apr 17, 2025
Thursday Apr 17, 2025
Struggling with porn use isn't about who you are—it's about the approach you've been using. Fighting urges after they appear is too late.
The key is learning skills to prevent the first domino from falling. When you handle what causes porn use before urges start, freedom becomes possible.
In this 3-part series, I'll cover skills to overcome porn use, rebuild relationships, and implement these changes effectively.
Today's episode shares five core skills for men to break free. For women listening, seeing your partner work on these will bring you peace.
Focus on what happens before the urge, not just on avoiding slips. True recovery means addressing what occurs five steps before temptation begins.
Additional resource: A deeper dive on identifying and resolving the root cause:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/7uBQEvCU7lxrHQkKmZFc4x?si=nYbUO_MOS1y-Gdw9r-NI0A
For therapy with Sam:
I will work with you for 12 weeks to help you eliminate pornography use and resolve the root cause so it doesn't come back.
If after the 12 weeks you haven’t fully overcome it, I’ll work with you for free until you do.
Click here for info to work with me directly.
Have questions you want me to address on future podcast episodes?
Email me here:
sam@healingcouples.org
Get access to my trust building workshop:
Want access to a free course I created for my podcast listeners?
Click the Couples Healing website and in the course you'll learn some top strategies to find healing from addiction and trauma, rebuild trust, experience freedom, and begin to reconnect with each other in the relationship.
Follow Me on Instagram for daily tips and tools you can implement to overcome pornography addiction.

Thursday Apr 10, 2025
Thursday Apr 10, 2025
Today we're talking about something couples rarely discuss: when a husband's interest in sex drops after he stops using porn.
For wives, this can feel very confusing and hurtful. After working hard to heal the relationship, it's painful when intimacy doesn't return as expected. She might wonder, "Doesn't he find me attractive? Is he really getting better?"
But lower sexual desire after recovery isn't always a bad sign. It's often part of a necessary reset in understanding healthy intimacy.
The drive for sex that was powered by fantasy starts to quiet down, creating space for real connection to grow.
Today I'll share five reasons why desire decreases during recovery and how couples can build a fulfilling sex life based on both people's needs, emotional safety, and genuine connection.
For therapy with Sam:
I will work with you for 12 weeks to help you eliminate pornography use and resolve the root cause so it doesn't come back.
If after the 12 weeks you haven’t fully overcome it, I’ll work with you for free until you do.
Click here for info to work with me directly.
Have questions you want me to address on future podcast episodes?
Email me here:
sam@healingcouples.org
Get access to my trust building workshop:
Want access to a free course I created for my podcast listeners?
Click the Couples Healing website and in the course you'll learn some top strategies to find healing from addiction and trauma, rebuild trust, experience freedom, and begin to reconnect with each other in the relationship.
Follow Me on Instagram for daily tips and tools you can implement to overcome pornography addiction.

Thursday Apr 03, 2025
Thursday Apr 03, 2025
In this episode, I'll show you my easy three-step plan to help you stop watching porn for good.
Many people think they just need to try harder to resist urges or avoid things that trigger them. But fighting these urges all the time is exhausting, and you're always worried about slipping up again.
I want to teach you a better way.
Instead of just fighting urges, we can find out why they happen in the first place and fix that problem.
As a therapist, I've helped hundreds of men on their journey to quit pornography. The ones who stay free for years are those who use this simple plan.
Today you'll learn:
- Why fighting urges doesn't work (and it's not your fault)
- My three steps that get to the real cause of the problem
- Tools you can start using today
This isn't about using more willpower. It's about understanding that urges are like messages telling you what really needs healing in your life.
You can find real freedom without having to fight against yourself every day.
For therapy with Sam:
I will work with you for 12 weeks to help you eliminate pornography use and resolve the root cause so it doesn't come back.
If after the 12 weeks you haven’t fully overcome it, I’ll work with you for free until you do.
Click here for info to work with me directly.
Have questions you want me to address on future podcast episodes?
Email me here:
sam@healingcouples.org
Get access to my trust building workshop:
Want access to a free course I created for my podcast listeners?
Click the Couples Healing website and in the course you'll learn some top strategies to find healing from addiction and trauma, rebuild trust, experience freedom, and begin to reconnect with each other in the relationship.
Follow Me on Instagram for daily tips and tools you can implement to overcome pornography addiction.

Thursday Mar 27, 2025
189: We Rewired John's Subconscious Mind to No Longer Desire Porn (in 44 minutes)
Thursday Mar 27, 2025
Thursday Mar 27, 2025
I'm excited to share something special with you today - a real-life deep dive session with John where we uncover the root cause of his pornography struggle and work through it together in a single call.
Most men focus on surface-level solutions - having someone to call when triggered, avoiding certain situations, or just trying to resist temptation harder.
But here's the truth: real freedom doesn't come from getting better at fighting urges. It comes from identifying and resolving why you're feeling tempted in the first place.
In this episode, you'll hear me guide John through this process step-by-step.
While I share tools on the podcast regularly, today you'll hear how these techniques actually work in practice.
My hope is that by listening, you'll gain insights into identifying your own personal root cause and taking steps to resolve it.
Want to work with Sam and experience your own breakthrough?
I will work with you for 12 weeks to help you eliminate pornography use and resolve the root cause so it doesn't come back.
If after the 12 weeks you haven’t fully overcome it, I’ll work with you for free until you do.
Click here for info to work with me directly.
Have questions you want me to address on future podcast episodes?
Email me here:
sam@healingcouples.org
Get access to my trust building workshop:
Want access to a free course I created for my podcast listeners?
Click the Couples Healing website and in the course you'll learn some top strategies to find healing from addiction and trauma, rebuild trust, experience freedom, and begin to reconnect with each other in the relationship.
Follow Me on Instagram for daily tips and tools you can implement to overcome pornography addiction.

Thursday Mar 20, 2025
Thursday Mar 20, 2025
Jacob used to struggled daily with pornography and fantasy, but now he's completely free and feels good about himself again.
In the episode, we talk about the two-part approach most men miss - they focus on only one part, which is why they struggle for so long.
He shares the simple tools that helped him handle emotions in healthy ways, rebuild his self-worth, and deal with stress differently.
The best part? Jacob doesn't fight urges for pornography anymore because he's done the deeper work to address the real causes.
In this episode, he shows you exactly what worked for him and how you can do the same in your own life.
For therapy with Sam:
I will work with you for 12 weeks to help you eliminate pornography use and resolve the root cause so it doesn't come back.
If after the 12 weeks you haven’t fully overcome it, I’ll work with you for free until you do.
Click here for info to work with me directly.
Have questions you want me to address on future podcast episodes?
Email me here:
sam@healingcouples.org
Get access to my trust building workshop:
Want access to a free course I created for my podcast listeners?
Click the Couples Healing website and in the course you'll learn some top strategies to find healing from addiction and trauma, rebuild trust, experience freedom, and begin to reconnect with each other in the relationship.
Follow Me on Instagram for daily tips and tools you can implement to overcome pornography addiction.

Thursday Mar 13, 2025
Thursday Mar 13, 2025
Feel like you're fighting an impossible battle - trying to overcome pornography while juggling an already overwhelming life?
After thousands of therapy sessions, I've discovered something surprising: success doesn't always mean adding more to your plate.
Think of someone running up a downward-moving escalator.
They're putting in enormous effort, legs pumping furiously, yet barely staying in place.
This is what traditional recovery can feel like - an endless list of must-dos: meetings, accountability partners, journaling, meditation, new habits, urge management techniques.
While these tools can help, they often leave you feeling more exhausted than empowered.
In today's episode, I'll share a completely different approach - one that works even when you're burned out and short on time.
You'll learn how to get off that escalator and find a simpler, more effective path to lasting change.
Sometimes doing less, but doing it smarter, creates better results than pushing harder against the downward flow.
For therapy with Sam:
I will work with you for 12 weeks to help you eliminate pornography use and resolve the root cause so it doesn't come back.
If after the 12 weeks you haven’t fully overcome it, I’ll work with you for free until you do.
Click here for info to work with me directly.
Have questions you want me to address on future podcast episodes?
Email me here:
sam@healingcouples.org
Get access to my trust building workshop:
Want access to a free course I created for my podcast listeners?
Click the Couples Healing website and in the course you'll learn some top strategies to find healing from addiction and trauma, rebuild trust, experience freedom, and begin to reconnect with each other in the relationship.
Follow Me on Instagram for daily tips and tools you can implement to overcome pornography addiction.

Thursday Mar 06, 2025
Thursday Mar 06, 2025
When pornography appears in a relationship, it hurts both people deeply.
For wives, the pain and betrayal can feel like being trapped in an endless storm - each bad day stretches out forever, making even good moments feel temporary.
Husbands often feel stuck too, wondering if their efforts to change matter when they see their partner still hurting day after day.
In today's episode, we'll talk about real ways to deal with those bad days that feel like they'll never end.
You'll learn specific steps you can take when the pain feels overwhelming, what conversations actually help both partners heal, and what to expect as you work on fixing things together.
There is hope and there are tools that work - even when it doesn't feel that way right now.
For therapy with Sam:
I will work with you for 12 weeks to help you eliminate pornography use and resolve the root cause so it doesn't come back.
If after the 12 weeks you haven’t fully overcome it, I’ll work with you for free until you do.
Click here for info to work with me directly.
Have questions you want me to address on future podcast episodes?
Email me here:
sam@healingcouples.org
Get access to my trust building workshop:
Want access to a free course I created for my podcast listeners?
Click the Couples Healing website and in the course you'll learn some top strategies to find healing from addiction and trauma, rebuild trust, experience freedom, and begin to reconnect with each other in the relationship.
Follow Me on Instagram for daily tips and tools you can implement to overcome pornography addiction.

Thursday Feb 27, 2025
Thursday Feb 27, 2025
Not Being "Enough": Healing After Sexual Betrayal
When a wife discovers her husband's porn use or infidelity, one thought cuts deeper than all others: "I wasn't enough."
The pain of betrayal is devastating on its own, but believing it happened because of personal inadequacy makes healing feel impossible.
This mistaken belief - that his actions prove something about her worth - becomes the biggest barrier to healing and repair.
It's not just about what happened, it's also about what it means about her.
Today, I'll share a story that could be almost any couple I've worked with as a therapist.
You'll learn specific steps that have helped others move past this crushing belief (and others) and rebuild their connection.
As a therapist who's helped hundreds of men through this struggle, I can tell you something important:
Quitting porn isn't about willpower. Most men get stuck because they're taking the wrong approach - trying to force themselves to stop or just avoid triggers.
Today, I'll share three key elements that actually work.
No more guessing, no more endless cycles of trying and failing. Instead, you'll get a clear, practical plan that addresses the real reasons you're stuck.
For therapy with Sam:
I will work with you for 12 weeks to help you eliminate pornography use and resolve the root cause so it doesn't come back.
If after the 12 weeks you haven’t fully overcome it, I’ll work with you for free until you do.
Click here for info to work with me directly.
Have questions you want me to address on future podcast episodes?
Email me here:
sam@healingcouples.org
Get access to my trust building workshop:
Want access to a free course I created for my podcast listeners?
Click the Couples Healing website and in the course you'll learn some top strategies to find healing from addiction and trauma, rebuild trust, experience freedom, and begin to reconnect with each other in the relationship.
Follow Me on Instagram for daily tips and tools you can implement to overcome pornography addiction.

Thursday Feb 20, 2025
Thursday Feb 20, 2025
Have you ever felt trapped in a cycle that seemed impossible to break? For Rob, porn became more than just a habit – it was an escape hatch from feelings of failure and not being good enough.
Like many of us, he saw himself as a ticking time bomb, always counting down to the next slip.
But this isn't a story about being stuck. It's about finding a way forward when you think there isn't one.
Today, Rob shares how he transformed his life by facing the root cause of his struggles – not the behavior itself, but the deep-seated feelings of unworthiness beneath it.
Through learning to be present with his family and developing new tools for handling difficult emotions, he didn't just survive – he rebuilt his marriage and discovered a strength he never knew he had.
In this episode, you'll learn practical strategies for:
- Separating yourself from negative thought patterns
- Building genuine presence with loved ones
- Converting shame into motivation for change
- Rebuilding trust in relationships
You'll learn specific steps you can take when the pain feels overwhelming, what conversations actually help both partners heal, and what to expect as you work on fixing things together.
There is hope and there are tools that work - even when it doesn't feel that way right now.
For therapy with Sam:
I will work with you for 12 weeks to help you eliminate pornography use and resolve the root cause so it doesn't come back.
If after the 12 weeks you haven’t fully overcome it, I’ll work with you for free until you do.
Click here for info to work with me directly.
Have questions you want me to address on future podcast episodes?
Email me here:
sam@healingcouples.org
Get access to my trust building workshop:
Want access to a free course I created for my podcast listeners?
Click the Couples Healing website and in the course you'll learn some top strategies to find healing from addiction and trauma, rebuild trust, experience freedom, and begin to reconnect with each other in the relationship.
Follow Me on Instagram for daily tips and tools you can implement to overcome pornography addiction.