From Head to Body: Reclaiming Intimacy, Sensuality, and Connection to Self
When intimacy feels blocked, disconnected, or mechanical, it’s rarely about sex alone. More often, it’s about the relationship we have with ourselves — our bodies, our thoughts, our nervous systems, and the stories we’ve learned to carry.
In this episode of The Moon Collective Sanctuary Podcast, host Dr. Lydia Luna, Ph.D., licensed clinical psychologist and founder of Moon Collective Sanctuary, sits down with Dr. Eleanor Daneshvar, licensed clinical psychologist with over 12 years of experience working with women, families, trauma, intimacy, and mind-body healing. Together, they explore what it truly means to reconnect with the self — and how that connection becomes the foundation for deeper intimacy, pleasure, and meaningful relationships.
Redefining Intimacy Beyond the Bedroom
As Dr. Daneshvar explains, intimacy is often misunderstood as something that happens only during sex. In reality, intimacy begins long before physical touch.
“Intimacy is how you relate to yourself,” she shares. “It’s the narrative you hold about who you are, how you listen to your needs, and how you bring that presence into your relationships.”
True intimacy lives in attunement — the ability to be present, responsive, and emotionally available with ourselves and with others. It is the experience of two people coexisting independently, yet thriving together.
Why So Many People Feel Disconnected From Their Bodies
One of the central themes of this conversation is how modern life pulls us out of our bodies and into our heads. Chronic stress, perfectionism, comparison culture, trauma, and constant mental noise make it difficult to feel grounded or present.
Dr. Daneshvar notes that many clients struggle with intrusive, self-critical thoughts that block connection and pleasure:
“When your mind is flooded with anxiety, resentment, or self-doubt, it’s nearly impossible to feel safe in your body.”
This disconnection is especially common for individuals who have experienced trauma, where leaving the body once served as a survival mechanism. Over time, that protective response can become a barrier to intimacy, embodiment, and pleasure.
Healing Shame and Rewriting the Body Narrative
A powerful portion of the episode centers on how early messages about the body shape lifelong relationships with self and intimacy. Dr. Daneshvar shares clinical examples of women who grew up internalizing shame — being told certain body parts were “ugly,” “wrong,” or something to hide.
Healing, she explains, begins with awareness and compassion.
Through practices like mirror work, mindfulness, and gentle self-dialogue, clients can begin to shift from criticism to gratitude — honoring the body for its function, resilience, and story.
“When a woman can stand in front of the mirror and say, ‘Thank you for carrying me, for protecting me, for being mine,’ something profound changes.”
From Depletion to Presence: Reclaiming Intimacy in Daily Life
For many women, especially caregivers and mothers, intimacy fades not from lack of desire, but from exhaustion and depletion. Constant giving without replenishment disconnects women from their own needs and bodies.
Dr. Daneshvar and Dr. Luna discuss how mindfulness, intentional self-care, and nervous system regulation can transform everyday moments — from how we greet our partner at the door to how we move through stress.
“When you fill your own cup,” Dr. Luna reflects, “you stop needing others to complete you — and intimacy shifts from need to desire.”
Sex, Pleasure, and Permission
The conversation also addresses sexual disconnection, a common yet rarely discussed experience. Research shows that a significant number of women and men report difficulty staying present during sex, often due to shame, distraction, or unresolved trauma.
Dr. Daneshvar emphasizes that intimacy sets the stage for fulfilling sex — not the other way around.
“When there’s emotional closeness, safety, and self-acceptance, pleasure becomes accessible.”
She encourages curiosity, communication, and self-exploration, reminding listeners that pleasure is not indulgent — it is a vital part of human wellness.
The Power of Mindfulness and Intuition
Throughout the episode, both clinicians highlight mindfulness, breathwork, and meditation as gateways back into the body. These practices quiet mental chatter and strengthen intuition — a wisdom many women are taught to distrust.
“The more you listen to your intuition,” Dr. Luna shares, “the more you realize it already knows.”
By reconnecting mind, body, and breath, individuals can move from self-judgment to self-trust — and from disconnection to embodied presence.
Final Reflections: Intimacy Begins Within
As the episode comes to a close, Dr. Daneshvar leaves listeners with a simple yet profound reminder:
“Get out of your head. Get into your body. Create a narrative that works for you — one rooted in self-care, self-love, and presence.”
Intimacy is not something we perform. It is something we practice — moment by moment — by choosing presence, compassion, and connection to self.
Meet the Guest: Dr. Eleanor Daneshvar, Psy.D.
Dr. Eleanor Daneshvar is a licensed clinical psychologist with over 12 years of experience supporting women, families, and individuals through trauma-informed, holistic mental health care. Her work integrates evidence-based psychology with mindfulness, nervous system regulation, and embodied healing, with a focus on intimacy, relationships, self-worth, and emotional resilience. Known for her warm, grounded, and deeply human approach, Dr. Daneshvar helps clients reconnect with their bodies, intuition, and authentic selves to create more meaningful relationships and lasting transformation.
Website: https://oneneuro.com/elenorbdaneshvar/
Instagram: @womens_mental_health
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenor-daneshvar-psy-d-330ba414/
🎧 Listen to the Full Episode
Tune in to The Moon Collective Sanctuary Podcast to hear the full conversation with Dr. Lydia Luna and Dr. Eleanor Daneshvar on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube.
Explore More
Visit mooncollectivesanctuary.com to explore holistic mental health services, upcoming events, and trauma-informed healing experiences. Follow along on social media @mooncollectivesanctuary for continued insight and inspiration.
