ABSTRACT
Bonding—being physically close and emotionally open to another human being—is at the core of intimacy and, in the PAIRS program, is an essential skill for maintaining pleasure in an intimate relationship. Bonding fulfills a biologically based need for social connection that, when unmet, gives rise to symptoms (Casriel, 1972). The capacity to experience and express a wide range of emotions is a fundamental component of intimacy that helps to develop and sustain the quality of relationships (Durana, 1997). Emotional openness and expressiveness facilitate marital communication, satisfaction, and love (Gordon, 1993; Greenberg & Johnson, 1988; Satir, 1972).
