Search Results for: lisa firestone/feed/2009/11/fear-of-intimacy

“Following the Breadcrumbs:” The Many Rewards of Curiosity

…of others. It creates more opportunities for personal growth and to create intimacy. Unsurprisingly, it strengthens our relationships. It even improves healthcare when doctors show more genuine interest in what their patients have to say. Perhaps one of curiositity’s greatest gifts is that it encourages us to have a more open attitude toward the world around us, which would naturally lead to more knowledge, understanding, connection, compassion, a…

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How to Improve Your Relationships

…understanding themselves and their relationship. In her presentation, Dr. Firestone illustrates how defenses formed to deal with pain and anxiety in childhood later come to limit people as adults in their ability to develop and sustain attachments. She shows how negative inner thoughts toward oneself and others interfere with intimacy in relationships and how couples can learn to challenge such negative thoughts in order to achieve greater closen…

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How to Not Lose the "Me" When Becoming a "We"

…stic. They have a stronger sense of themselves so they are capable of more intimacy, love and passion in their relationship. Here are some ways to stay yourself in a relationship: Maintain your interests. When two people fall in love, they experience themselves and each other as separate individuals with distinct identities, and their own ideas, interests and friends. Their individuality makes them interesting to each other. Maintain interests tha…

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Are You the Cause of Your Jealousy?

…he is so much prettier/thinner/more successful than me!” Even if our worst fears materialize, and we learn of a partner’s affair, we frequently react by directing anger at ourselves for being “foolish, unlovable, ruined or unwanted.” These critical inner voices and the feelings of humiliation that they foster can be more painful to us than the threat itself. They can also be more real. This negative self-coaching accompanies us into our personal r…

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Sex Stereotyping

…and men desire a sexual relationship that includes emotional and physical intimacy. Most men and women have a strong desire for a lasting affiliation with the opposite sex. Most women and men have a strong interest in procreation and parenthood. Most men and women have a very strong desire to be in love with each other. Do you have a sexual stereotype of yourself? Sadly, men and women buy into the stereotypic views of themselves. As a result they…

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VIDEO: Interview Series with Dr. Pat Love

…media appearances. Here she speaks exclusively to PsychAlive on topics of intimacy, love, parenting, and more. [SlideDeck2 id=13301] Order a DVD of Dr. Pat Love’s full interview with PsychAlive, “On Relationships and Parenting“ In this DVD, Dr. Pat Love covers a variety of topics regarding relationships and parenting. She begins by defining the concept of love and what it means to be loving. She discusses values in a loving relationship and offer…

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What You Need to Know About Mental Abuse

…l Pointing out your flaws in a non-constructive way Withholding affection, intimacy, and empathy from you Being isolated and emotionally disconnected Codependency; not treating you as a separate person Reversing the victim role to place blame on you If you believe you are being emotionally abused, seek support through friends, family or a counselor. The help of these individuals in your life can help you come up with a plan to set boundaries, take…

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dating resolutions, ideal partner qualities, psychalive

Dating Resolutions: 7 Characteristics of an Ideal Partner

…being is perfect, so finding someone who is approachable and receptive to feedback can be a huge asset to a lasting union. When someone is free-thinking and open-minded, it enables them to be forthright in expressing feelings, thoughts, dreams and desires, which allows you to truly know them. Their openness is also an indication of their interest in personal development and often contributes to the development of the relationship. Like perfect pe…

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Do You Have an Honest Relationship?

…of vulnerability and openness that can actually lead to more closeness and intimacy. Be open to feedback – Just as we should be direct with our partner, we should be open to hearing honesty directed toward us. We should always be willing to listen to our partners and see things from their point of view. What are they trying to tell us about how they are experiencing us and feeling toward us? Rather than argue every small detail, we should look for…

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A Fine Romance: Secrets to Making Love Last a Lifetime

…satisfied or living with spouses in quiet desperation, experiencing little intimacy, passion, romance or sex. Enter the Johnsons, Melva and Jesse, a handsome baby-boomer couple with two grown sons, who appear to be the poster pair for the happy couple category. They are Royal Oak psychotherapists and relationship experts, offering couples therapy and workshops. Upon arriving at their office, it becomes clear they can’t keep their eyes off of each…

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