Two weeks ago, I flew to San Francisco to attend the Health 2.0 Conference to remind the health industry that this is true.

During a panel discussion titled “The Unmentionables,” we made the argument to the healthcare industry that the definition of health needs to be expanded to include the topics of relationship, caregiving and financial stress (all of which can be classified as either buffers or magnifiers that deeply affect our health, though aren’t often integrated into traditional care delivery).

These issues are as impactful on our health as diabetes or asthma, therefore helping people manage these things better is vital to improving our overall health and wellbeing.

One key element to relational health is effective and honest communication. Many of us spend hours talking about sex, without ever talking about sexual and emotional boundaries — yet boundaries are at the core of our sexual life. Your physical and psycological borders are what allow you to know where you stop and another person starts. What’s allowed? What’s forbidden? What’s in? What’s out? What’s us? What’s me?

While some of you may openly discuss the terms of your emotional turf, very few couples actually negotiate sexual boundaries, as if personal parameters are just understood. I find that most conversations about boundaries are conversation stoppers rather than a gateway to open dialogue.

In a world where the boundaries of intimacy are fluid and vague, how do you balance privacy and transparency? Are the lines in your own relationship clear? If your partner breeches your trust, how do you deal with emotional pain, betrayal and rifts? How would describe your conversations around sexual boundaries with your partner?

To communicate your boundaries and expectations, you must first understand them. We must develop language and guidelines for talking about the terms of your personal exclusiveness or openness.

Join me this October as I guide you in developing a framework of understanding and give you tools to communicate your sexual and emotional boundaries. Workshop Topic #1: New Technology: New Boundaries.

Reclaim Curiosity, Connection & Passion – 4 week Online Workshop

Includes four 60 minute live conversations with Esther, question & answer sessions, relationship enhancing exercises each week, and a private Facebook Group dialogue. Audio and video recordings will be sent to participants within 24 hours of each class, so you can watch & listen anytime, any place. Singles & couples from all sexual orientations are welcome.

Register NOW while there’s still time