Dr. Jeannelle Perkins

“Into-Me-See: Mastering Black Intimacy for the Relationship You've Always Wanted” (2023)

Intimacy is fundamental to sustaining a healthy romantic relationship. With true intimacy, partners allow themselves to be open and vulnerable; to discuss emotions, experiences, and needs freely. They rely on each other for safety, both physically and emotionally. In Into-Me-See, licensed therapist Dr. Jeannelle Perkins-Muhammad explores the cultural and personal factors that can make it challenging for Black couples to develop and maintain intimacy. The book’s title comes from a cultural idiom that describes the ability to look beyond the physical and look deeper to see the greater connection to another person. Unique among books on intimacy, Into-Me-See explores specific cultural issues affecting Black couples, including how a history of slavery and the ongoing racism in America have created relationship expectations that often work against intimacy. Other topics include— • The four different levels of intimacy—physical, cognitive, emotional, and spiritual—that must be addressed to deepen our intimate connections. • The importance of bringing mental and emotional challenges into the open, so that they can no longer sabotage efforts to become more intimate. Real-life stories from Dr. Perkins-Muhammad’s work show how Black couples have overcome the challenges they faced to find the deeply intimate and rewarding relationships we all seek. Whether you are in a brand-new relationship or have been with your partner for decades, Into-Me-See will show you how to take the first steps to a deeper, long-lasting intimate relationship.