discover in yourself whatever may be blocking your capacity to fully connect with your partner -  letting go of fear and judgment and making way for compassion and love and a mutually satisfying sexual relationship

be curious about one another and respectful of your differences

learn to differentiate between and address each other’s needs

treat one another as precious as you learn to accept your own and each other’s flaws and human­ness

If you are part of a couple you are engaged in something very meaningful and very difficult. Intimacy with another human being is one of the most rewarding and challenging experiences that we undertake in a lifetime. Human connection is one of our most basic needs.  We want to be seen and known by the important people in our lives. We learn how to be with others from the way our important others have been with us ­and this is what we bring to our most intimate relationships. Often we intentionally or unintentionally hurt and disappoint one another. Couples can experience these hurts or disappointments in many ways, some of which may be ­ affairs, parenting difficulties, chronic illness, death of a family member, trauma ­ or significant financial distress.

All of these things may compromise a couple’s ability to work freely and safely together as life partners.

Relationships have the capacity to recover, even from great injury. They are resilient, evolving creations of your commitment to yourself and the other.