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Fierce Intimacy: Standing Up to One Another with Love
Proven Skills for Navigating the Real Challenges of Intimate Relationships
What does it take for couples to sustain love? How can you deepen your relationship even when you and your partner disagree, fight, or let each other down? “Intimacy isn’t something you have. It’s something you do,” teaches Terry Real. “It’s a minute-by-minute practice of connecting to others through empathy, vulnerability, and accountability.” With Fierce Intimacy, this renowned author offers a revolutionary way of living in connection—one that allows you to cherish your partner, yourself, and your relationship in equal measure.
How to Communicate with Love and Respect—Even When You Argue
Terry’s approach to relationship is called “full-respect living”—to skillfully and honestly assert your needs while also honoring your partner’s needs. In these six sessions, he presents invaluable training for individuals and couples on developing the skills necessary for this authentic way of connecting. You’ll begin by learning how to clear away the outdated beliefs and habits that keep you from developing healthy self-esteem. Then Terry will help you and your partner transform the Five Losing Strategies that sabotage relationships into the Five Winning Strategies that lead to clear communication, trust, and mutual support.
“When we dare to be more vulnerable and open and honest, we are forging new territory,” says Terry Real. Whether you’re still seeking a partner or want to breathe new life into your existing relationship, Fierce Intimacy brings you essential tools for connecting with true respect, uncompromising honesty, and ever-deepening love.
HIGHLIGHTS
The adaptive child—how to recognize and defuse self-sabotaging habits
Unhealthy self-esteem traps for men and women
Identifying your CNI (Core Negative Image)—a key to making arguments constructive instead of destructive
The Feedback Wheel—a four-step approach to revolutionize your communication
The Five Losing our impulses to control, retaliate, and be right all the time
The Five Winning Strategies for shared happiness, connection, and success
What does it take for couples to sustain love? How can you deepen your relationship even when you and your partner disagree, fight, or let each other down? “Intimacy isn’t something you have. It’s something you do,” teaches Terry Real. “It’s a minute-by-minute practice of connecting to others through empathy, vulnerability, and accountability.” With Fierce Intimacy, this renowned author offers a revolutionary way of living in connection—one that allows you to cherish your partner, yourself, and your relationship in equal measure.
How to Communicate with Love and Respect—Even When You Argue
Terry’s approach to relationship is called “full-respect living”—to skillfully and honestly assert your needs while also honoring your partner’s needs. In these six sessions, he presents invaluable training for individuals and couples on developing the skills necessary for this authentic way of connecting. You’ll begin by learning how to clear away the outdated beliefs and habits that keep you from developing healthy self-esteem. Then Terry will help you and your partner transform the Five Losing Strategies that sabotage relationships into the Five Winning Strategies that lead to clear communication, trust, and mutual support.
“When we dare to be more vulnerable and open and honest, we are forging new territory,” says Terry Real. Whether you’re still seeking a partner or want to breathe new life into your existing relationship, Fierce Intimacy brings you essential tools for connecting with true respect, uncompromising honesty, and ever-deepening love.
HIGHLIGHTS
The adaptive child—how to recognize and defuse self-sabotaging habits
Unhealthy self-esteem traps for men and women
Identifying your CNI (Core Negative Image)—a key to making arguments constructive instead of destructive
The Feedback Wheel—a four-step approach to revolutionize your communication
The Five Losing our impulses to control, retaliate, and be right all the time
The Five Winning Strategies for shared happiness, connection, and success
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Published September 4, 2018
2 people are currently reading
21 people want to read
About the author
Terrence Real
17 books332 followersAlso writes as Terry Real.
Terrence Real is the bestselling author of I Dont Want to Talk About It: Overcoming the Secret Legacy of Male Depression and How Can I Get Through to You?: Reconnecting Men and Women. He has been a practicing family therapist for more than twenty years and has lectured and given workshops across the country. In March 2002, Real founded the Relational Empowerment Institute. His work has been featured on NBC Nightly News, Today, Good Morning America, and Oprah, as well as in The New York Times, Psychology Today, Esquire, and numerous academic publications. He lives with his wife, family therapist Belinda Berman, and their two sons in Newton, Massachusetts.
Terrence Real is the bestselling author of I Dont Want to Talk About It: Overcoming the Secret Legacy of Male Depression and How Can I Get Through to You?: Reconnecting Men and Women. He has been a practicing family therapist for more than twenty years and has lectured and given workshops across the country. In March 2002, Real founded the Relational Empowerment Institute. His work has been featured on NBC Nightly News, Today, Good Morning America, and Oprah, as well as in The New York Times, Psychology Today, Esquire, and numerous academic publications. He lives with his wife, family therapist Belinda Berman, and their two sons in Newton, Massachusetts.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
April 2, 2026
Finally, a relationship guide that treats us like individuals, not stereotypes.
While John Gray’s work was influential decades ago, it relied heavily on rigid gender "personalities" that just don't hold up.
Fierce Intimacy is the modern upgrade we desperately needed. Terry Real focuses on the "relational self"—teaching us how to stand up for ourselves with love across all types of human interaction. It is far more practical, inclusive, and profound than its predecessors.
This is truly the definitive guide for anyone serious about building a healthy life with others.
While John Gray’s work was influential decades ago, it relied heavily on rigid gender "personalities" that just don't hold up.
Fierce Intimacy is the modern upgrade we desperately needed. Terry Real focuses on the "relational self"—teaching us how to stand up for ourselves with love across all types of human interaction. It is far more practical, inclusive, and profound than its predecessors.
This is truly the definitive guide for anyone serious about building a healthy life with others.
Displaying 1 of 1 review