• Ep. 9: Trauma Doesn't Like to Be Touched

  • By: Esther Perel
  • Narrated by: Esther Perel
  • Length: 37 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (1,209 ratings)
Ep. 9: Trauma Doesn't Like to Be Touched  By  cover art

Ep. 9: Trauma Doesn't Like to Be Touched

By: Esther Perel
Narrated by: Esther Perel

Publisher's summary

[Contains mature themes] A newly-married couple comes to Esther for guidance on how to create a space of safety and physical intimacy, while also giving voice to past trauma.

Step into the office of renowned relationship therapist and TED Talk sensation Esther Perel, and listen in as she counsels couples in crisis due to infidelity, sexlessness, loss, and disconnection. The result? Astonishing insights on how they can make love work – and takeaways for you on ways to repair and restore your own relationships.

About Esther:

Esther Perel is recognized as one of today’s most insightful and provocative voices on personal and professional relationships. A celebrated psychotherapist who has helmed a private practice in New York City since 1983, she has over three decades of experience navigating the intricacies of love and desire.

©2017 Audible Originals, LLC (P)2017 Audible Originals, LLC

What listeners say about Ep. 9: Trauma Doesn't Like to Be Touched

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Safe space

If you could sum up Episode 9 in a few words, what would they be?
Trauma and PTSD.

Would you listen to Esther again? Why?
Yes, definitely. Esther is a master of her craft.

What was the most compelling aspect of this episode?
That they could reach each other in the end.

Any additional comments?
Just listen.

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Beautiful

It was beautiful. Thank you to the couple that shared their story with us. I wanted to cry at the end, in a good way.

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Heart-opening, very real

I felt softened and humbled after listening to these two men open their hearts with Esther. It wasn’t easy! However, seeing the process of getting them to let down their guard and truly bond with each other was transforming for me as a listener. I am grateful.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Wonderful exploration of trauma

A Very informative and personal account of trauma in an accessible format. I love the way Esther speaks to her clients in this case study and invites them to go further into both their needs. I appreciate how the script uses audio ques to switch to Esther talking to the audience specifically to speak further to what the couple is talking about or the trauma specifics others listening may not understand right away. I will be eagerly awaiting a new chapter!

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Writing the same review of the whole set of these

So I'm not going to review each of these individually. They're all a great listen and I can't recommend one over the others. If you're in a place in your relationship where you're not happy and looking for steps you could take these are a great place to start. Esther does one-off sessions with these people and helps these see what is going on, and what they can do to change things. You don't have to be going through the exact same scenario to see some common threads, and find bits and pieces that will be helpful to you.

I'm going to leave the same review for each of these as you should really listen to all of them, rather than trying to pick and choose which you might find relevant.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Everyone is operating through trauma

It's true. Trauma reveals itself in so many ways. This episode unveiled multiple layers for both partners. It serves as a reminder that partners have to explore and share their trauma to directly diffuse triggers and create safe space for each other.

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The reveal is at the end, worthy of your time.

Her goal is to change the narrative that the couple come in with so listen for that.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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This is so good for trauma survivors!

My advice: focus on the similarities and not differences. This meant so much to me.

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars

Not what I expected

Not for me. I felt uncomfortable, like an eavesdropper listening to strangers laying their lives bare. A real session is too intimate. It carries the same weirdness of reality TV. I can't even imagine rating the performance and the story, because these are not performers, and this is not a story. This is real people living their reality.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Esther Perel is truly a master at what she does...

She has a ability to hear what is unsaid and see into the depth of a person without judgement.

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