Known for Erotic Intelligence Spouse Jack Saul | Nationality Belgian Name Esther Perel | |
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Institutions Family Studies UnitDepartment of PsychiatryNew York University Medical CenterInternational Trauma Studies ProgramColumbia University Books Mating in Captivity, Mating in Captivity: Introduction Parents Sala Ferlegier, Icek Perel Profiles | ||
Esther perel sex stability and self fulfillment
Esther Perel (born 1958) is a Belgian psychotherapist notable for exploring the tension between the need for security (love, belonging and closeness) and the need for freedom (erotic desire, adventure and distance) in human relationships.
Contents
- Esther perel sex stability and self fulfillment
- Esther perel couples culture and sex
- Professional career
- Select discussion topics
- Personal life
- References
Perel promoted the concept of Erotic Intelligence in a best selling book (Mating in Captivity: Unlocking Erotic Intelligence) which was published in 2006 and since has been translated into 24 languages. A talk entitled The secret to desire in a long-term relationship which she gave at TED in February 2013 has received more than 7.5 million views on TED's website as of January 2016. A talk entitled Rethinking infidelity ... a talk for anyone who has ever loved which she gave at TED in March 2015 has received more than 2.7 million views on TED's website as of August 2015.
Esther perel couples culture and sex
Professional career
Perel is Jewish and the daughter of two Polish-born Holocaust survivors. She was raised in Antwerp and attended Hebrew University. Perel grew up amongst Holocaust survivors in Antwerp, Belgium and noted two groups around her: "those who didn't die, and those who came back to life". Her observation was that "those who didn't die were people who lived tethered to the ground, afraid, untrusting. The world was dangerous, and pleasure was not an option. You cannot play, take risks, or be creative when you don't have a minimum of safety, because you need a level of unself-consciousness to be able to experience excitement and pleasure. Those who came back to life were those who understood eroticism as an antidote to death."
Perel subsequently trained in psychodynamic psychotherapy before finding a professional home in family systems theory. She initially worked as a cross-cultural psychologist with couples and families.
Perel has worked as an actress and has run a clothing boutique in Antwerp.
Select discussion topics
TED: The secret to desire in a long-term relationship
Personal life
Perel is married to Jack Saul, assistant professor of Clinical of Population and Family Health at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health, with whom she has two sons.