Esther Perel

Esther Perel
Born 1958 (age 59–60)
Antwerp, Belgium
Nationality Belgian
Alma mater Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Known for concept Erotic intelligence and book (2006)
Spouse(s) Jack Saul
Scientific career
Fields Psychotherapy
Institutions New York University
Columbia University
Website estherperel.com

Esther Perel (born 1958) is a Belgian psychotherapist who has explored the tension between the need for security (love, belonging and closeness) and the need for freedom (erotic desire, adventure and distance) in human relationships.[1]

Perel promoted the concept of Erotic Intelligence in her book Mating in Captivity: Unlocking Erotic Intelligence (2006), which has been translated into 24 languages.[2] After publishing the book, she became an international advisor on sex and relationships.[3] She gave at TED talk in February 2013 entitled The secret to desire in a long-term relationship,[4] and another in March 2015 entitled Rethinking infidelity ... a talk for anyone who has ever loved.[5]

In 2016, Perel was named to Oprah Winfrey's Supersoul 100 list of visionaries and influential leaders.

Professional career

Perel is Jewish, the daughter of two Polish-born Holocaust survivors. She was raised in Antwerp and attended the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in Israel.[6][7] She 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."[8]

Perel subsequently trained in psychodynamic psychotherapy before finding a professional home in family systems theory. She initially worked as a cross-cultural psychotherapist with couples and families.

Perel has worked as an actress and has run a clothing boutique in Antwerp.[7]

Personal life

Perel is married to Jack Saul, Assistant Professor of Clinical Population and Family Health at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, with whom she has two sons.[9]

Publications

  • Mating in Captivity: Unlocking Erotic Intelligence (2006)
  • The State of Affairs: Rethinking Infidelity (2017)

Recognition

References

  1. ↑ Perel, Esther. "Erotic Intelligence: Reconciling Sensuality and Domesticity" (PDF). The Psychotherapy Networker, May/Jun 2003. Retrieved 20 July 2014.
  2. ↑ Perel, Esther (2006). Mating in Captivity: Unlocking Erotic Intelligence. Harper. ISBN 978-0060753634.
  3. ↑ "Unorthodox advice for rescuing a marriage". The Economist. 12 October 2017.
  4. ↑ Perel, Esther. "The secret to desire in a long-term relationship". TEDSalon NY2013. TED. Retrieved 22 January 2016.
  5. ↑ Perel, Esther. "Rethinking infidelity ... a talk for anyone who has ever loved". TED 2015. TED. Retrieved 27 August 2015.
  6. ↑ theguardian.com
  7. 1 2 nytimes.com
  8. ↑ A-Fest by Mindvalley (2017-11-26), In Search Of Erotic Intelligence | Esther Perel, retrieved 2018-06-24
  9. ↑ Dominus, Susan. "The Sexual Healer: The Couples Therapy Expert Esther Perel Takes On Sex and Sexuality". Fashion & Style. New York Times. Retrieved 20 July 2014.
  10. ↑ "Meet the SuperSoul100: The World's Biggest Trailblazers in One Room". O Magazine. 1 Aug 2016. Retrieved 5 Jul 2018.

Sources

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