ABSTRACT
Helping clients repair both past and present relationships through body-to-body intimacy can reprogram their brains and transform their lives. Research shows that effective therapy not only reduces negative emotions but also increase clients’ positive emotions, pleasurable arousal, playfulness, and capacity for intimacy. In play, “affect synergy” and “amplification of vitality” that are essential for generating a strong bond of mutual love occur. Pleasurable experiences and a playful attitude stimulate neuroplastic brain growth. Feelings of love and sexual desire are among the most powerfully rewarding experiences to stimulate growth. When couples develop the capacity and courage to honestly address difficult conflicts, repair unresolved emotional ruptures, and non-defensively hear and respond to each other’s needs and differences, the relationship can activate a transformative process for each person to become more personally integrated. The integrated self is a happy, fully functioning person who has qualities that can sustain a loving intimacy. Among these qualities is the capacity to be present and attentive, learn from experience, trust oneself to cope with negative feelings, and recruit positive feelings. Research shows that, contrary to popular belief, long-term intimate partners can continue to enjoy romantic feelings for one another when they maintain a sexual liveliness together.
