this article was co-authored by klare heston, lcsw. there are 10 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. in this case, 96% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. a casual relationship is often one with no expectation of a long-term commitment or of monogamy.

if you’re thinking about having a non-committed relationship or are currently in one, prioritize communication and honesty first. don’t get emotionally …

behind a fear of intimacy is a fear of facing up to yourself and what you perceive (erroneously) as your weaknesses. are you so used to hiding the parts of yourself that you don’t like that you mould yourself to be what you think others want? there are ways to learn how to connect, if you are willing to put in the time and effort into what can be quite a learning curve. but the good news is that admitting …

dr. overstreet defines recreational intimacy as you and your partner finding hobbies or interests that you share as a way of further bonding and connecting. it is a truly intimate experience because it takes trust and vulnerability to share your thoughts and ideas with your partner without fear of ridicule or an argument. commitment intimacy is more than continuously choosing to be committed to your partner within the relationship. or, perhaps it is a commitment to continuously work on the …

it is also felt that uncontrolled and irresponsible expressions of affection and sexual permissiveness are directly responsible for the breakdown of much in our society. few in modern culture would care to return to the marriage system of ancient civilization. this has occurred to the neglect of focusing on important qualities such as integrity, purity, and commitment; all of which are needed to sustain a marriage and family. however scripture is full of stories and truths that declare the need …

i insisted that stuart stay around for the first few sessions—i wanted to get an idea of their history together. angela claimed that she had forgiven her wayward husband, but i had a hunch that hers had been a surface–only forgiveness and that her depression was the result of buried feelings of hostility toward her unfaithful husband. at the end of that long and arduous process, they were able to stand before the congregation and share their testimony of healing …