ABSTRACT
The process of building greater intimacy between a couple involves helping them have a more real understanding of each other and through that understanding they are in a better position to gain a more empathic perspective of their own and their partner's role in the shared difficulties. Most couple therapists would agree that intimacy is a key part of any satisfactory relationship and that the drive for intimacy is compelling, leading us to make, break, and reform relationships throughout our life. The journey from merger and self/other confusion towards real intimacy is a hard road. Intimacy therefore is something that comes and goes; it is no more a permanent state than any other human pleasure. However, repeated satisfactory interpersonal experiences between couples through a lifetime together, will build inside them an internal object that can be turned to in need, operating within the individual as a container and processor of experience.
