A note for clients and anyone who knows me personally: This episode contains explicit sexual content and detailed personal disclosure. If you aren't sure whether to listen, don't. If you can listen with curiosity and take good care of yourself along the way, please do. You're always welcome to bring whatever comes up into our next session. In this episode of "The Intimacy Lab," Michelle Renee and Jamie Marich explore the intersections of intimacy, therapy, and personal growth. They discuss their experiences with EMDR, the concept of "Misfit Alley," and the importance of authenticity in both personal and professional spaces. The conversation delves into the nuances of human connection, the role of dissociation in therapy, and the evolving landscape of platonic and sexual relationships. Both hosts share personal anecdotes, highlighting the significance of energy and vibe in relationships, and the balance between independence and intimacy. Dr. Jamie Marich (she/they) is a TEDx speaker, clinical trauma specialist, expressive artist, and recovery advocate who helps people and systems heal from trauma and shame—especially where religion or spirituality has caused harm—so they can find personalized, stigma-free transformation. Based in Akron, Ohio, Jamie teaches internationally on trauma, EMDR therapy, expressive arts, and spiritual abuse, while running a private practice and online education programs; she’s also the founder of the Institute for Creative Mindfulness and creator of the Dancing Mindfulness approach. A queer woman in long-term recovery who lives with dissociative identities, Jamie is the author of numerous books on EMDR, trauma, and recovery, and her work has been featured by The New York Times and recognized with advocacy awards from NALGAP and EMDRIA. You can find her at https://jamiemarich.com/ or on IG at https://www.instagram.com/drjamiem/ Michelle Renee (she/her) is a therapeutic intimacy specialist, trained as both a Cuddle Therapist and Surrogate Partner, and a co-owner at https://Cuddlist.com. She practices a trauma-informed, consent-based approach that helps folks of all genders rebuild trust with touch, set clear boundaries, and access authentic pleasure ... at their own pace. She serves clients nationwide as a holistic intimacy coach and partners with therapists to integrate somatic, consent-based healing. Michelle's websites are https://meetmichellerenee.com and https://humanconnectionlab.com and she can be found on social media at https://instagram.com/meetmichellerenee. If you’d like to ask a question for Michelle to answer on an episode, or you’d like to join her for an Intimacy Lab Experience, visit https://intimacylabpodcast.com. To grab your own set of We’re Not Really Strangers https://amzn.to/47XJjvm Become a Cuddlist Certified Touch Practitioner and save 10%: https://cuddlist.podia.com/cuddlist-certification/6dnxo?coupon=REFERRAL
