Links have already been forged between sexualized trauma and difficulties with intimacy in clinical practice. This article seeks to examine those links more closely by exploring both the psychological and biological impact of traumatic life events on intrapsychic and interpersonal intimacy. In addition, the progression of grief within couple relationships, the impact of brain injury and the adverse effects that residual disabilities can cause with intimacy are examined in detail. Two case samples highlight the real difficulties experienced in sharing emotions and the need for prior acknowledgement of the impact of trauma before attempts to reassure are made. Finally, this article aspires to increase the insight of couple therapists who tackle the problems created by the impact of trauma by introducing them to new developments in the assessment and treatment of traumatic stress injuries.

It is now established that exposure to catastrophic stress may have an enduring impact on the individual. Less well recognized is the impact that the exposure to trauma has on the individual's major relationships. One such relationship, the dyadic couple, is explored in this paper and the impact trauma has on different subtypes of intimacy. It also sets out to recommend innovative ways of conducting a medico-legal assessment of couples affected by trauma.

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