How Body Language Builds Emotional Intimacy in Relationships: Insights from Therapist Patricia Bathurst, LMFT
Author(s): Scott Douglas Jacobsen
Publication (Outlet/Website): A Further Inquiry
Publication Date (yyyy/mm/dd): 2025/07/03
Patricia Bathurst is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) working at The Oasis Addiction Treatment Center in California. She provides therapeutic services for individuals dealing with a range of issues including addiction, trauma, anxiety, depression, relationship conflict, dual diagnosis, and LGBTQ+ issues. Her approach integrates evidence-based practices with compassionate support tailored to life transitions, grief, self-esteem, and emotional regulation. She highlights the importance of body language in emotional intimacy, addressing cues of unresolved tension, gender differences, rebuilding trust, and the challenges posed by digital communication.
Scott Douglas Jacobsen: How does body language contribute to emotional intimacy?
Patricia Bathurst: Body language contributes significantly to emotional intimacy. Soft eye contact, a gentle touch on the arm, or simply leaning in close to someone while listening to them speak can all create a sense of closeness with another human being.
Jacobsen: What are nonverbal cues showing unresolved tension in couples?
Bathurst: The nonverbal cues that are related to unresolved tension include physical distance. A person may cross their arms, avoid eye contact with their partner, or turn away while their partner is speaking.
Sometimes the signs are quite small, though. A person may not realize that they are communicating their tension via their body language.
Jacobsen: How do you help them become aware of their body language with their partner?
Bathurst: I often ask them to pay attention to their body language. Most people don’t really pay much attention to it. Awareness is the first step in making a change.
Jacobsen: What examples of body language reflect trust and emotional safety?
Bathurst: Body language that reflects emotional safety and trust includes leaning in towards somebody during conversation and making eye contact with them. Smiling at them is another big one.
Jacobsen: Are there notable gender differences in body language interpretation in romantic contexts?
Bathurst: Yes, there are sometimes differences between genders when it comes to body language. That’s because men and women are socialized differently. Men tend to have less expressive non-verbal body language compared to women.
Jacobsen: How can couples rebuild emotional connection when body language starts showing detachment?
Bathurst: First, have an open and honest conversation about the need to build an emotional connection via body language. Then, start small. Focus on things like making eye contact and holding hands.
Jacobsen: What is the role of past relationship experience in shaping a person’s romantic body language?
Bathurst: Past experiences can shape body language significantly. A person may be guarded physically if they have experienced betrayal or other negative past experiences.
Jacobsen: How might digital communication affect a couple’s ability to respond to body language?
Bathurst: Digital communication removes the majority of body language. Although this is still expressed somewhat through videos, like TikTok and Reels, it still doesn’t replace face-to-face contact. It’s easy for things to be misinterpreted on social media, even when you can see the person on the screen.
Jacobsen: Thank you for the opportunity and your time, Patricia.
Last updated May 3, 2025. These terms govern all In-Sight Publishing content—past, present, and future—and supersede any prior notices. In-Sight Publishing by Scott Douglas Jacobsen is licensed under a Creative Commons BY‑NC‑ND 4.0; © In-Sight Publishing by Scott Douglas Jacobsen 2012–Present. All trademarks, performances, databases & branding are owned by their rights holders; no use without permission. Unauthorized copying, modification, framing or public communication is prohibited. External links are not endorsed. Cookies & tracking require consent, and data processing complies with PIPEDA & GDPR; no data from children < 13 (COPPA). Content meets WCAG 2.1 AA under the Accessible Canada Act & is preserved in open archival formats with backups. Excerpts & links require full credit & hyperlink; limited quoting under fair-dealing & fair-use. All content is informational; no liability for errors or omissions: Feedback welcome, and verified errors corrected promptly. For permissions or DMCA notices, email: scott.jacobsen2025@gmail.com. Site use is governed by BC laws; content is “as‑is,” liability limited, users indemnify us; moral, performers’ & database sui generis rights reserved.
In-Sight Publishing 