ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses a treatment method which addresses the intimacy dysfunctions among dyadic relationships that display codependency traits. It concerns intimacy in chemically dependent and codependent relationships are often systemic and might have occurred without the dynamics of chemical dependency. The complexity increases when the codependent person presents himself or herself as either compulsively dependent or as compulsively independent. The compulsively independent/dependent person believes that one must be always perfect. When these individuals fail to meet that impossible standard, they experience and communicate great feelings of shame. Strategies seem useful in treating codependent clients. Since all interaction and therapy take place in the "potential space", boundary issues are all important from the beginning. When a couple with codependent traits or states comes into therapy to resolve intimacy and sexual concerns, the chapter finally focuses on each individual's identity in the dyadic relationship.
