Are sex and intimacy the same, and can you have one without the other? Most people consider sex to be only a physical activity. In English, the phrase ‘making love’ implies an emotional connection, but that connection is usually seen as separate from the act of sex itself. So, why is it important to destroy this misconception, and how does sexual intimacy affect one’s personal growth and relationships?
Dr. Susan Kaye is a sexual well-being specialist with a Ph.D. in Human Sexuality. She has 30 years of experience as a somatic practitioner. Beginning in 1985 when she worked and studied with the Sex Research team of Masters & Johnson. She has expertise as a tantra teacher, bodywork practitioner, massage therapist, and yoga instructor.
Additionally, she also has 20 years of working in the sexual health field as a Sexologist, Sex Coach, and Sex Educator. She believes that offering clients total mind-body wellness is essential to connecting them with talk therapists as well as somatic experts to support them in embodying the mind-body healing they are seeking. Susan is available for the supervision of mental health providers, somatic arts practitioners, and medical personnel.
In this episode hosted by Aditi Kutty, Dr. Susan discussed how sexual and physical intimacy plays a significant role in an individual’s personal growth. That the early years, from birth to around age 7, are particularly important in shaping our perception of intimacy and relationships. During this period, people learn through their senses, emotions, and experiences. And that one’s understanding of love, connection, and self-worth is deeply influenced by the environment and relationships they encounter.
Also, Susan shared how she usually speaks to A-sexual people—to get related to their bodies, like sending women clients to pole dancing lessons so that they feel their own sense of their expression. She also mentioned that communication is the greatest sexual organ.
Understanding one’s first attractions and early experiences provides insights into the individual’s emotional landscape and potential challenges they may face later in life. These early encounters can shape one’s self-perception, self-esteem, and capacity for intimacy.
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