Want to deepen closeness and intimacy in your relationship? The biggest complaint I get as a therapist is that partners don’t feel as connected as they would like. In this episode you will learn about the different kinds of intimacy and how to deepen the overall sense of intimacy and closeness in your relationship.
Intimacy is often a misunderstood topic because people interpret the term ‘intimacy’ as well as the expression of intimacy in different ways. For example, for therapists, intimacy typically refers to a sense of closeness–emotional, intellectual, and sometimes physical. It’s getting to know someone at a deep level and being willing to show up with your full self–excitement, desire and vulnerabilities–with another person. In popular culture, ‘intimacy’ often refers to sex, which is only one type of intimacy.
Interpreting intimacy as the sexual kind can be problematic for couples. They may rely primarily on romantic intimacy to carry their sense of connection and neglect the other kinds of intimacy that are critical for a healthy relationship.
In this episode, you’ll learn about the different types of intimacy that exist. I give you an explanation of each type and why it’s important to relationship life. Then, you’ll learn how you and your partner can cultivate that type of intimacy in your relationship.
You can Subscribe and Listen to the Podcast on Apple Podcasts. And be sure to leave us a Rating and Review!
“Show yourself completely to your partner, even more than you think you need to so that your partner can really get to know you – can really map you. The more you get to know each other, the more emotionally intimate the relationship becomes.” – John Howard
Show Notes:
- What intimacy does in a relationship
- How to foster emotional intimacy in a relationship
- Common reasons why you may not feel emotionally connected with your partner
- Why it’s important to learn to feel safe being vulnerable with your partner
- How we’re all different in the ways that we approach lust, attraction, chemistry, and the desire to be physically intimate.
- Why vulnerability is it’s own type of intimacy
- How to improve your lifestyle intimacy with your partner
“Because there are different types of intimacy, not everybody connects in the same way. For some people, sex is a primary channel to feel connected and for other people it’s not.” – John Howard
Links Mentioned:
- Get a copy of Mating In Captivity by Esther Perel
“In order to increase lifestyle intimacy, it’s helpful if you’re willing to live in your partner’s world, even just for a little bit.” – John Howard