Intimacy Issues Internal Family Systems

Intimacy Issues

Intimacy issues are common for people who fear vulnerability. Some people can become vulnerable in front of a few trusted friends, however, but when a relationship starts becoming too close, they feel suffocated. In this sense, the intimacy issues are seated in the fear of developing a deep and meaningful relationship with another person.

Two fears that are at the heart of intimacy issues, are the fear of abandonment (fearing the partner might leave them) and the fear of engulfment (fearing that they would lose themselves in a relationship), which sometimes co-exist. These fears, often rooted in childhood traumas, are often deeply entrenched in codependent adult relationships where they cause friction.

A therapist who works with people who have intimacy issues will first help you to learn to become comfortable with yourself and accept yourself for who you are. You will explore the complex past events that have created these intimacy issues and discover that those events don't have to cloud your present experiences.

This process is essential in discovering that rejection does not have to be a traumatic experience. Finally, you will learn how to set personal boundaries that will help you to avoid the fear of engulfment and to cope, should abandonment occur. While healing intimacy issues can be a challenging and somewhat painful task, the rewards are incredible.

If you are looking for a counsellor or psychologist who addresses intimacy issues, you may want to search the directory to find a professional whose approach will suit you best.

Internal Family Systems, Sex Therapy

Sex Therapy addresses an important aspect of life and committed relationships. Issues that are directly and indirectly related to sexuality can be addressed through Sex Therapy.

Sessions will involve talking about sex and related difficulties that bring people to a therapist, or that come up during the course of counselling.

Many issues can be addressed during Sex Therapy, including sexual addiction, lack of libido, sexual anxiety, gender issues, undesirable impulses and compulsions, body image issues, promiscuity, loneliness, and relationship issues. Therapists see people who are in recovery from sexual assault or sexual abuse all the time, and offer a safe and secure relationship in which to heal. Couples who have imbalanced or conflicting sexual desires can use Sex Therapy as a tool to find common ground or to learn coping mechanisms.

If you are looking for a therapist who offers Sex Therapy, please browse our list of practitioners below..

Note: You may narrow your search by selecting more than one filter below.

Chelsea Stenner

M.A., RCC
    • Online booking
I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor (#15201) and a Canadian Certified Counsellor (#10002791). I have a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. The first thing I want you to know... Read more

Jena Tharani

M.A., RCC
    • Online booking
Relationship Counselling (for individuals or couples) with Jena is for you if you: - Struggle to communicate effectively in your relationship - Are struggling with a specific issue or a general sense of... Read more

Sara Kammerzell

M.Ed., RCC
    • Online booking
For over twenty years, Sara has helped people grow through turbulent times in their lives so that they can reclaim their full vitality and live the life they were born to live.  She strives to connect with... Read more

Tasha Davidson

M.A., RCC
    • Online booking
Hi, First, I recognize how challenging starting the process of counselling may be. Whether it feels like the problem is too big, no one will understand or 'maybe it's not that big of a deal,' I want you... Read more

Sarah Anne Trivett

M.C., RCC
    • Blog on profile
I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) with a passion for helping individuals, couples and multi-person relationships connect to themselves and each other through a creative blend of Internal Family... Read more

Jordan Smail

M.A., RCC
If you here are looking for a therapist chances are you feel there are aspects of your life that are not as they should be. Perhaps you are in a cycle where your efforts are not producing the change you want, or maybe... Read more

Lucy Snider

M.Sc., RCC
    • Online booking
Are you looking for sex therapy, relationship therapy or couples counselling? Are you struggling with a sexual problem and don't know who to talk to? Are you having difficulties in your current relationship or are... Read more