Intimacy and connection with other people are vital to the human experience. True intimacy, however, requires vulnerability and depth that may feel impossible for some people to ever get comfortable with given their past life experience or the types of relationships they saw as an example growing up. Fortunately, through counseling and self-exploration, you will be able to identify areas in which you are fearful or uncomfortable, and from there you can begin the healing process that will result in more closeness and satisfaction in your relationships.
What is Intimacy?
A common misconception that we often hear is that intimacy in a relationship only refers to sex. While intimacy plays an important role in sex, there is much more to it. True intimacy can be thought of as a place of commitment, in which an individual feels comfortable being vulnerable and trusts another person with even their most private thought and feelings. An intimacy that is reciprocated or a marriage in which both parties feel safe and understood is the mark of a healthy relationship. This level of intimacy often leaves spouses feeling deeply satisfied in the relationship both emotionally and sexually. When that intimacy is lost however, it starts to erode the relationship and causes foundational issues that could end the relationship if not dealt with.