Episode Details

Healthy physical intimacy implies just that – intimacy. However this is NOT one of the types of physical intimacy. In fact, even thought it’s common in marriage, it’s classified as domestic abuse.

To know if you’re experiencing any one of the 19 types of emotional abuse that are connected with intimacy, take our free emotional abuse quiz.

And if you relate to any of this episode, check out our Betrayal Trauma Support Group Session Schedule. We’d love to see you in a session today.

Transcript: This is NOT One of The Types of Physical Intimacy

Anne: I have a woman named Isabelle on today’s podcast. She has been walking the path of healing from narcissistic abuse – which is an extreme lack of intimacy. She’s also suffered betrayal trauma for years. In February of 2019, just months after her three year divorce, she experienced a miraculous healing of chronic pelvic floor dysfunction.

She has experienced firsthand the healing power of creativity, and now works as an expressive arts facilitator. She feels called to share her creative talents and the wisdom she has gained from her journey, so that other women can experience hope and healing. Welcome Isabelle.

Isabelle: Thank you, Anne. It’s good to be here.

Anne: So let’s start with your story, Isabelle.

Early Childhood Trauma

Isabelle: The part of my story that led me to where I am today and being on this podcast is when I was six years old. My uncle abused me Christmas Eve at my grandparents’ home. And I’ve been walking through the healing from that, as well as the trauma from marital abuse and my adult life. I have realized that it was that event, that moment in time, that disrupted the healthy development of my mind, body, and spirit.

Also, I realized that I heard the lie in words and actions. That love is pain. That love and pain are synonymous, they go together. And I can see now how believing that set me up for not recognizing abuse in the future.

Anne: I’m so sorry about your experience.

Anne: When you get in a relationship with your husband, did you recognize his behaviors as abusive at first? Or were you still in that mindset that love hurts?

Isabelle: I think that was my, you know, core belief. It was just in there. I didn’t have to think about it. If that makes sense. I didn’t consciously think about it. That was part of it.

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