Crisis has a way of shaking the foundation of even the strongest marriages. But did you know that intimacy during and after a crisis can actually draw you closer instead of pushing you apart? In this episode, Dr. Audrey Davidheiser, PhD helps us explore crisis intimacy through the lens of grief.
Dr. Audrey Davidheiser is a licensed psychologist in California, certified Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapist, and IFSI-approved clinical consultant. After founding a counseling center for the Los Angeles Dream Center, she now provides IFS therapy for trauma survivors, including those with religious trauma, and assists in IFS trainings. She has been a regular writer for Crosswalk.com and columnist for iBelieve.com. Her book on how IFS helps the grieving process, Grieving Wholeheartedly, was published by InterVarsity Press in July 2025.
We’ll talk about how to recognize and nurture connection when everything feels fragile, why the best time to build a crisis intimacy plan is before you’re in the middle of heartache, and how grief can become a doorway to deeper understanding, tenderness, and care for one another. If you and your spouse are navigating loss—or simply want to prepare your marriage for the storms of life—this conversation will help you find hope and closeness when it matters most.
Be aware this episode may be triggering to some listeners as we are discussing death, including the death of a child.
To connect with Dr. Audrey:
As mentioned in the episode:
IFS Institute
To learn more about the different types of intimacy:
31 Days of Intimacy
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