Inspired by a client’s discovery of a specific language around avoiding real intimacy, I want to point out these ideas. In my work as a childhood trauma group therapist, I tell my clients that the work (inner child work) is about #1 FINISHING BUSINESS WITH MOM AND DAD and #2 RECLAIMING INTIMACY. Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous, like most 12 step programs, has defined what it really means to be avoident of intimacy and not just pertaining to sex. Very enlightening reading.
“Patrick Carnes, the nationally known author on addiction and recovery, describes sexual anorexia as: “an obsessive state in which the physical, mental and emotional task of avoiding sex dominates one’s life. Like self-starvation with food, deprivation with sex can make one feel powerful and defended against all hurts.””
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND purchasing this pamphlet/ questionnaire as the questions really create a road map to recovery if we are to be rigorously honest with ourselves.