Intimacy Issues Straining Your Relationships?

Intimacy issues are quite common in our society. Young adults may struggle with relationship inexperience and difficulty with communication. Career pressures and child-rearing can strain intimacy in middle-aged couples. Among older adults, physical changes and health concerns can affect intimacy. Our therapist at Mars & Venus Counseling Center can provide guidance for overcoming the myriad barriers to emotional and physical intimacy.

Here are some signs for recognizing whether you are experiencing a temporary bump in the road, or struggling with deeper issues related to intimacy.

• Difficulty expressing your feelings or sharing personal details with your partner are signs of a lack of emotional intimacy. Couples who struggle to share their inner feelings often experience disconnection.
• Infrequent or uncomfortable physical affection is an indication of deep intimacy issues, which may be linked to an emotional disconnection.
• When conflicts escalate quickly, or when difficult conversations are avoided altogether, these are signs of a breakdown in communication among partners. Effective communication is a key factor in healthy relationships.

If these signs resonate with you, what can you do about it?

• Take time to reflect on when and why intimacy feels difficult, and whether there is a past experience that may be intruding on your present relationships. 
• Open the lines of communication with your partner, in a calm and non-judgmental way, sharing your concerns and expressing a desire for a more connected relationship.
• Working with our experienced, collaborative therapist will provide a safe space to explore the roots of these intimacy issues and develop healthy coping strategies.

Addressing intimacy issues is not simple or easy. It requires time and effort, but the results are more than worth it. With the professional guidance of our therapist at Mars & Venus Counseling Center, you can work through the barriers that are preventing you from building stronger, more fulfilling relationships. You don’t have to face these issues alone. Please contact us to arrange a confidential consultation.