Dear Friends,

With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, we thought it would be good to reflect on the value of emotional intimacy. Emotional intimacy is the mutual trust that allows you to lay your inner world bare- sharing your fears, flaws, and dreams-without the threat of judgment or rejection. For couples, passion is the fruit of emotional intimacy and leads to deeply satisfying relationships.  Unfortunately, studies on the health of modern relationships points to a growing trend in less emotional depth. We are seeing this trend in the counseling office as well. Individuals and couples are struggling to know how to achieve the closeness they desire.

Encouraging couples to practice reciprocal, deepening self-disclosure offers a way to train couples to share more honestly and vulnerably. Connection grows when people share personal thoughts, experiences, and emotions and are met by their partner with genuine care and interest. Other tools include a practice of offering reciprocal forms of appreciation, affirmation and acceptance. This type of self-disclosure promotes trust so vulnerability becomes more natural.

When individuals slow down, reflect on what is happening in the moment, and intentionally match each other in disclosure and responsiveness, passion can emerge and become a self-sustaining force that draws people toward one another.

We encourage you to consider ways you can take a relational risk to begin deepening emotional intimacy in your relationships this month.

Sincerely,

The Willow Springs Team