intimacy

Hooray for thinking about what you might want or feel ready for in intimate or dating relationships before you pursue them! So often people just kind of passively fall into relationships and only then try and figure what they want and need. It's not impossible to do it that way, and there are some...

Healthy intimacy is about intentionally sharing private or vulnerable parts of our hearts, minds, bodies or lives with each other. Why would we do that, how can we do that, and what is and isn't healthy with intimacy?

Before I say anything else, I know the answer to every question related to sex with an "Is it normal?" in it is something you're supposed to answer yes to, and if you don't, it can be perceived as not being nice or trying to hurt someone's feelings. But please understand that "normal" isn't a word I...

Kissing and snuggling sure seem awfully underrated. Check out why we think what some folks consider only "first base" can be home runs all their own.

The term "sexuality" can be used a lot like the word "sex." They're both terms we say and hear a lot, but which often aren't clearly defined. We take for granted everyone knows what sexuality means, a heck of an assumption to make with something that covers so many important things and can feel as murky as Lake Erie. So: what's it all about?

Intimacy is often awkward. And that isn't a bad thing. In some ways, I'd even say it's always awkward, in the sense that it's never really something that's exactly easy, especially when we're just starting to get intimate with someone, rather than when we have been for a long time. Getting and being...

I want to first tell you a few things you should know are true. Whatever it turns out your sexuality and relationships are like, whatever it turns out you want from them, they're about much, much more than your abuse. Because we've been abused doesn't mean either or both of those things will be all...

What do or might you want to do, not want to do or aren't sure about when it comes to sex with a partner? Take stock with this awesomely in-depth list.

For starters, congratulations for seeking treatment and starting on your road to recovery. You deserve major recognition for that; it's not easy but taking those first steps are so important, if hard, and I'm really proud of you! My quick answer to your two questions is that you are definitely not...

I'd like to focus this on the three primary issues you brought up here: your need for basic physical affection, your problem with upholding your own boundaries, and your ideas about how without intercourse, the sex you or anyone else are having cannot possibly satisfy either of you. On all of those...