Healthy dialogue for intimacy

September, 18, 2019 | Reese Voll | reporter
NE counselor Julie Weaver hosts a sex and intimacy workshop to open dialogue about clarity in sexual relationships on Sept. 10. Photo by Niyonkuru Yusuf/The Collegian
NE counselor Julie Weaver hosts a sex and intimacy workshop to open dialogue about clarity in sexual relationships on Sept. 10.
Photo by Niyonkuru Yusuf/The Collegian

Sex can be an uncomfortable subject, but NE counselor Julie Weaver talked about it at length during Sex and Intimacy Sept. 10 on NE Campus.

Weaver spoke about seven things everyone should communicate to their significant other if they want their relationship to survive.

The topics of conversation included environment, timing, foreplay, positions, climax, afterglow and sexual history.

“I didn’t expect it to be so descriptive,” NE student Alex Garcia said.

Some counselors will actively avoid the topic during sessions, Weaver said. She recalled sending people home with a CD to do the “awkward” part for her.

Weaver has since taken the situation into her own hands with this event and in her own practice by being more open and not shying away from the details.

“It is important to talk about and understand sex and intimacy,” Weaver said.

Some people view sex as the start of a long, monogamous relationship, while others see it as a way to blow off steam, Weaver said.

Clarity is important when it comes to sex and relationships, Weaver said.

People need to take into account expectations and boundaries, while also never forgetting that someone is allowed to change their mind at any time.

“I know it can feel like a rejection, but that doesn’t mean the person doesn’t care about you,” Weaver said. “Maybe they just don’t want that right then, and that should be OK.”

Emotional intimacy is when someone is vulnerable and has formed an emotional bond with another person who helps them feel free and accepted, she said.

“This type of intimacy can provide quality and depth to a relationship,” Weaver said.

Although, sex within a romantic relationship can be enhanced due to an emotional connection, the act of sex is lacking without emotional intimacy, Weaver said.

The turnout was “quite impressive,” NE special services coordinator Ronda Isaacs said.