Intimacy Begins With Self-Connection w/ Elenor Daneshvar, Psy.D.

Intimacy doesn’t start with another person, it begins with how connected you are to yourself.In this episode of The Moon Collective Sanctuary Podcast, Dr. Lydia Luna, Ph.D. sits down with Dr. Elenor Daneshvar, Licensed Clinical Psychologist and trauma-informed therapist, for a powerful conversation about intimacy, embodiment, and healing from the inside out.Together, they explore how intimacy begins through self-connection, emotional awareness, and learning how to feel safe in your own body. Elenor shares how living in our heads, negative self-talk, and unresolved trauma quietly block our ability to experience closeness, pleasure, and authentic connection with others.This episode also dives into the role of mindfulness, breathwork, and body awareness as tools for reconnecting with yourself. From navigating shame and body image to understanding why so many people feel sexually disconnected, this conversation blends clinical expertise with real-world insight into how intimacy and connection actually work.If you’ve ever felt numb, disconnected, or stuck in patterns of resentment or self-criticism, this episode offers a grounded look at how reconnecting with your body can rebuild intimacy from the inside out.To Watch the Show click HERE Visit mooncollectivesanctuary.com to explore our upcoming gatherings and private healing offerings. Connect with ElenorWebsite: https://oneneuro.com/elenorbdaneshvar/Instagram: @womens_mental_healthLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenor-daneshvar-psy-d-330ba414/Chapter Markers01:00 Elenor’s Journey Into Psychology03:30 What Intimacy Really Means05:40 Why We Live in Our Heads07:45 Reconnecting With the Body09:00 Trauma, Shame, and Self-Image12:30 The Mirror Exercise & Self-Compassion15:00 Mindfulness, Breathwork & Embodiment18:30 Motherhood, Depletion & Resentment21:00 Energy, Presence & Emotional Safety25:00 Sexual Disconnection & Numbness27:00 Pleasure, Permission & Healing30:40 Intimacy as the Foundation for SexSupport the showConnect with Dr. Lydia Luna, PhD:Website: www.mooncollectivesanctuary.comYoutube: www.youtube.com/@mooncollectivesanctuaryIG: @lydialunaphd & @mooncollectivesanctuaryFacebook: www.facebook.com/mooncollectivesanctuary