Esther Perel

Esther Perel
Esther Perel
Born	1958; Antwerp, Belgium
Nationality	Belgian
Alma mater	University of Wisconsin–Madison ; Teachers College, Columbia University
Known for	Erotic Intelligence
	Scientific career
Fields	Psychotherapy
Institutions	Family Studies Unit; Department of Psychiatry; New York University Medical Center; International Trauma Studies Program; Columbia University

Esther Perel (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.

Perel promoted the concept of Erotic Intelligence in a best selling book ('Mating in Captivity: Unlocking Erotic Intelligence') which was published in 2007 and since has been translated into 24 languages. Later she recorded one of the most frequently viewed TED Talks: The secret to desire in a long-term relationship.

Professional career

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.

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.

External links

Sources

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