Intimacy Counseling Guide for Couples That Care

 

If you’re in a relationship that struggles with intimacy issues, you should consider intimacy counseling. As something that is still a relatively unknown concept in many relationships, especially those in which neither partner has tried individual therapy, there is so much to learn about this form of counseling that can help you restore intimacy and happiness in your relationship. 

One of the intimacy areas that couples often highlight as the most problematic in long-term relationships is sex; however, many other forms of intimacy are equally important in a relationship. That is why we’ve created this guide to help you see if your relationship could benefit from intimacy counseling. 

 

What Is Intimacy?

How would you define intimacy? Although we all know what it implies, more or less, we often get surprised when hearing that it’s not just sex. An interpersonal relationship can feel intimate when there is a sense of closeness and connection. It is a crucial component of close connections, yet it also contributes significantly to relationships with friends, family, and other acquaintances.

The Latin word “intimus,” which means “inner” or “innermost,” is the source of the English word. The meaning of intimacy in most languages alludes to a person’s most profound characteristics. People may connect on many different levels through intimacy. As a result, it is an essential part of wholesome partnerships.

You probably instantly thought of sexual intimacy when you heard the phrase, yet other types of intimacy are just as significant, particularly in romantic relationships. Here are the main types of intimacy each relationship should pay attention to:

 

• Physical intimacy (e.g., kissing, holding hands, and cuddling),
• Emotional intimacy (e.g., deep conversations),
• Intellectual intimacy (e.g., challenging each other or comparing reactions),
• Experiential intimacy (e.g., shared experiences and hobbies),
• Spiritual intimacy (e.g., sharing beliefs and values).

 

Intimacy Obstacles

Every relationship experiences highs and lows, yet occasionally specific challenges can make intimacy challenging. Or, if not properly nourished, a once powerful sensation of closeness may eventually wane.

 

Conflict

When you and the other person are always at odds, it might be difficult to feel intimate. It may be more difficult to feel connected and close to that person if you are experiencing feelings of resentment, hostility, and lack of trust.

 

Stress

A couple’s closeness may suffer as a result of life stress brought on by job, sickness, money, children, and other problems.

 

Communication Difficulties

When you find it difficult to express your wants and feelings, it’s challenging to feel connected. It’s crucial to communicate with your spouse and listen to what they say if you want to develop and keep closeness.

 

Fear of Intimacy

It can be challenging to build lasting relationships with others when a person has a fear of intimacy, which is frequently brought on by traumatic events or prior experiences.

Intimacy Counseling

A type of professional talk therapy called intimacy therapy enables people and couples to examine and express their feelings about their intimate lives honestly. It’s aimed to assist clients in addressing numerous physical and psychological aspects influencing their happiness. The therapist will work on personal, psychological, medical, and other interpersonal difficulties with the couple and separately with each partner.

As partners realize their subtle, frequently disregarded, or undetected feelings, the exploration process helps to strengthen sexual interactions. It also allows couples to control those sentiments that may be unpleasant to communicate more successfully.

Intimacy therapy’s ultimate objective is to assist couples in overcoming obstacles in their physical and emotional connection for a better union and more enjoyable relationship.

These are common intimacy reasons for going to an intimacy counselor:

 

• Sexual dysfunctions,
• Trust issues, 
• Infidelity, 
• Lack of interest in connection that is not sexual,
• Premature ejaculation,
• Sexual traumas,
• Sexless relationships,
• How to communicate better in the bedroom,

 

How Intimacy Counseling Works

You might wish to engage with an intimacy counselor if you’re worried about how to reestablish closeness in your marriage. This kind of expert may assist you and your spouse in resolving any concerns or problems that can prevent you from being intimate with one another. To maintain a stable connection and a strong bond, it is essential to be intimate with your partner in various ways.

To locate a counselor, search online or contact your doctor for a recommendation. If you’ve located a therapist you’d want to speak with, you can go alone or bring your significant other. The counselor will do their best to get to know you better, understand the problems you wish to address, and have a more in-depth conversation with you about how to do so.

The treatment option or plans that will improve your relationship will probably be discussed with you as you continue working with a counselor. The strategy may vary depending on why you initially requested assistance.

For instance, your counselor would outline the measures that must be followed to achieve this aim if you want help to restore sexuality in your marriage. You should be able to increase your closeness with your partner and resolve any other concerns by working on them together.

These are just some of the things couples learn from intimacy counseling:

• Simple techniques for a deeper connection,
• Understand the way your partner and yourself think about intimacy,
• Discuss differences respectfully and lovingly, 
• Bring up issues and focus on finding a resolution,
• Tantric exercises for improving intimacy,
• Methods to increase pleasure in the bedroom, 
• How to end repetitive fights, …

 

The Bottom Line

Since it serves as the foundation for connection and communication, intimacy is crucial in a partnership. It guarantees that each person receives the support and comfort they require, that they feel understood, and that they are free to be who they are.

Intimacy is crucial to relationships, whether you’ve been dating for a short while or have been a couple for a long time. Be aware that it can take some time if your relationship is still young, yet it will be worthwhile to put in the effort to share new experiences.

There are several things to consider after you decide that you want to focus on intimacy in your marriage. You should think about the issues you and your husband need to resolve before deciding whether intimacy counseling is appropriate for your marriage.

You may conduct internet research to learn more about programs that can assist you and seek licensed therapists in your neighborhood to assist with this kind of counseling. There’s a decent possibility they could improve your marriage.

 

About Life Coaching and Therapy

Life Coaching and Therapy (LCAT) is a therapy and coaching practice that transforms our clients lives through our flexible. Multi-technique approach and pleasure-skills training provided by systematically-trained and licensed therapists!

Get to know our founder and owner, Amanda Pasciucco, (a.k.a. The Sex Healer) PhD, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), and an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist (CST) that has developed innovative therapy programs and therapy videos that get results.

Our team of compassionate, licensed therapists and certified sex therapists help all clients who visit us for a variety of personal, relationship, intimacy and sex problems.

LCAT provides on-site appointments, as well as video chat and text therapy programs.

Learn more about how LCAT can help improve your life at What We Do.