Intimacy—whether emotional, physical, or sexual—is something many people long for in their relationships. But after trauma, closeness can feel complicated. You may care deeply for your partner yet notice walls going up. You may want to feel safe in your body but instead experience tension, avoidance, or distance.
These reactions are common for people living with PTSD or trauma, and they don’t mean you’re broken. They mean your nervous system is still working hard to protect you.
At my psychological practice in Edmonton, I often see how trauma affects connection. The hopeful news is that healing isn’t only about easing symptoms—it’s about gaining safety, comfort, and joy in your relationships.
What Healing Can Open Up
As therapy shifts how your brain and body respond to the past, new possibilities emerge:
- Feeling safer opening up emotionally
- Experiencing physical closeness without fear or overwhelm
- Building stronger trust in relationships
- Rediscovering joy, playfulness, and intimacy
Healing creates more than relief from trauma—it allows people to grow into a fuller experience of connection and belonging.
The Impact of Trauma on Sexual Intimacy
Sexual intimacy can be one of the most vulnerable areas touched by trauma. While sexual assault or abuse are well-known causes, trauma can also arise from experiences such as:
- Invasive or painful medical procedures (e.g., IUD insertion, surgery, fertility treatments)
- Pregnancy, delivery, or birth complications
- Chronic pain or health conditions that affect the body’s sense of safety
- Past experiences of being shamed, rejected, or judged in sexual situations
For men, challenges may include performance anxiety, shame, or body image struggles. For women, trauma may affect comfort with touch or desire. For trans and non-binary people, experiences such as medical trauma, gender dysphoria, and discrimination can all shape how intimacy feels.
Across all genders, the body often carries the imprint of trauma. Even with a loving partner, intimacy may trigger numbness, tension, or withdrawal.
How EMDR Therapy Helps
At Genovese Trauma & PTSD Recovery in Edmonton, I specialize in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)—an evidence-based therapy that helps the brain reprocess painful experiences so they no longer overwhelm the present.
Instead of living on high alert, the nervous system learns it’s safe to relax and connect. With EMDR therapy, many people gain:
- Calmness around triggers that once made intimacy difficult
- Freedom from shame or self-blame connected to past trauma
- A stronger sense of safety in their body and relationships
- More space for closeness and trust to grow naturally
Moving Toward Connection
Healing from trauma is about more than reducing fear—it’s about creating the kind of life and relationships you want. Many of my clients discover that with PTSD and trauma therapy in Edmonton, they can rebuild trust, restore safety, and begin to experience intimacy—emotional, physical, and sexual—with a renewed sense of comfort.
If intimacy has been difficult after trauma, know that recovery is possible. You deserve connection, safety, and joy—no matter your gender or story.
Resources to Explore
Please note: The following materials discuss trauma and sexual intimacy. They are intended for a mature audience and may be triggering for some readers. If you begin to feel overwhelmed, pause, use grounding strategies, or return to the material with support.
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Related Articles:
- From Survival to Connection: How Trauma Recovery Can Help Rebuild Trust - Maddalena Genovese
- How Can I Forgive? Forgiveness, Faith and Trauma Recovery - Maddalena Genovese
- How EMDR Can Help You Stop Arguments Before They Start - Maddalena Genovese
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Books:
- The Body Keeps the Score - Bessel van der Kolk
- Healing Sex: A Mind-Body Approach to Healing Sexual Trauma - Staci Haines
- Hold Me Tight - Sue Johnson
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Handouts:
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Helpful Links:
Take the Next Step Toward Connection
If intimacy feels complicated after trauma, EMDR therapy in Edmonton can help you rebuild safety, trust, and closeness. As a psychologist trained in EMDR, I help clients in Edmonton restore confidence and strengthen relationships.
Reach out today to begin your path toward deeper connection.
About Maddalena Genovese, Registered Psychologist no 3920
Genovese Trauma & PTSD Recovery
www.genovesetrauma.ca
