Couples Therapy in Alexandria

How Do I Communicate With My Partner About Physical Intimacy?

Having trouble talking to your partner about intimacy in the relationship? You are not alone, studies show that 73 percent of couples find it difficult to openly communicate about intimacy. With the help of a couples therapist in Alexandria, you can learn how to talk about physical intimacy with your partner.

We Aren’t Physically Intimate Anymore

There is no set level of healthy physical intimacy. The amount and level of physical intimacy may differ based on the individuals in each relationship. If physical intimacy in a partnership is creating relationship issues, an Alexandria Lifebulb therapist can help you to communicate about intimacy.

The goal of this article is not to say “you need to be more physically intimate!” but rather that couples counseling can help you and your partner reach a satisfying level of physical intimacy for both of you, whatever that level is. There is no right or wrong, but there can be a healthy and unhealthy level for individual couples.

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Why Do We Struggle with Physical Intimacy?

If you feel as though you are struggling with physical intimacy, you are not alone. There are a variety of reasons that couples may struggle with talking about or having physical intimacy in a relationship. Some of the common causes are explained in more detail below:

A lack of physical intimacy can be caused by physical health issues or barriers. Various physical health conditions can make it difficult to have physical intimacy and decrease the desire for it. For example, chronic pain is often a barrier to physical intimacy and can decrease libido within individuals.

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Mental health conditions can also impact the levels of physical intimacy in a relationship. Both depression and anxiety can decrease libido levels, which can lower the levels of physical intimacy in a relationship. Mental health conditions can also make it harder to be vulnerable or to communicate openly about physical intimacy issues.

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Past traumatic experiences, especially ones involving physical intimacy, may make it harder to have intimacy in the present. When an individual experiences a traumatic event, it may make vulnerability harder. The individual may want to avoid touch in a relationship. A relationship counselor can help with developing coping strategies to deal with past trauma in order to increase intimacy.

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Physical issues are not always a sign that there are issues in a relationship. Some changes in levels of physical intimacy can be attributed to relationship factors. When there is a decreased level of communication or vulnerability in a relationship, it can lead to a decreased level of intimacy. Increased conflict can also cause changes in physical intimacy or decrease libido levels.

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Relationship Therapists in Alexandria

If you feel as though the levels of physical intimacy may be causing issues in your relationship, an Alexandria couples therapist can help. At Lifebulb, our relationship therapists use a variety of evidence-proven methods to address changes in physical intimacy levels.