Sex
Sexually Compulsive Behaviors & Sex Addiction
Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced. | James Baldwin
The Pathways Institute for Impulse Control works to help people gain control of their lives by helping them stop their compulsive sexual behaviors.
Sexually compulsive behaviors, also known as sex addiction, can be expressed in a variety of ways. The sexual behaviors are frequently secretive and shameful and can lead to deception, loss of relationship or divorce, isolation and feelings of loss of control, and often escalate in intensity. In spite of this, the individual finds themselves returning to the behavior again and again.
We work to create a non-judgmental, non-shaming and safe environment so the patient can begin to trust in themselves and fully accept their problems, free to move beyond the secrets into a meaningful and fulfilling life. We also offer 2-week and 4-week outpatient intensive programs for sex addiction for those who need a more intensive program or who can’t find a specialized program locally.
Treating behaviors such as:
- Pornography addiction
- On-line chats or “dating” sites
- Infidelity
- Prostitution or sexual massage
- Frequent casual encounters
- Sex in public
- Purposeful bumping into others
- Exhibitionism
- Compulsive masturbation
- Child pornography
- Attraction to children or teens
- Sexual harassment
- Fetishes
- Sexual Offending
- and others
- Sex Addiction/Sex Addicts
- Partners
Does this apply to you? Take our questionnaire.
PROGRAM BENEFITS
This Program Will Help Individuals
- Stop acting out in their sexual behaviors;
- Identify high -risk situations that trigger the impulse to act out sexually and develop strategies for overcoming them;
- Restore, repair and gain stability and intimacy in family and personal life;
- Repair job related problems or revise career plans that have been neglected due to sexual behavior;
- Explore and understand the roots of their sexual behaviors, including stressors, trauma, mood disorders, etc.;
- Begin to have deeper and more meaningful relationships with themselves and others based on a more authentic expression of the self;
- Identify unmet needs and to learn how to meet them in a healthy way, ultimately leading to deeper and more intimate relationships with themselves and others;
- Resolve criminal or other legal problems by providing the court or attorneys with expert assessment and/or treatment;
- Become part of a supportive network of people who have had compulsive sexual behaviors and overcame it;
- Define and implement life-style changes that increase self confidence.
- Get out of the cycle of sexual behaviors and move towards a happier, more intimate, more fulfilling life.
Why Seek Treatment?
Individuals with compulsive sexual behaviors don’t know why; often these behaviors will feel mysterious to those who have them, and will cause the person to feel out of control.
They don’t understand how to stop the behaviors.
They experience shameful feelings that prevent them from talking about their problem in order to get help to correct the problem.
They don’t understand the consequences of their actions on society, others in their lives or themselves.
They end up in jail or prison often suffering from undiagnosed and treated mental illness.
They are unaware of mental health problems such as impulse disorders, mood disorders and anxiety disorders.
They are unaware of available cognitive behavioral and psychotherapeutic treatment options.
They are unaware of available psychiatric medication that may benefit them.
For many people, these behaviors are about a longing for connection or an escape from stress or unhappiness. Often these behaviors can be a search for a way to feel soothed, connected, loved or comforted.
In spite of these longings, the behaviors frequently are secretive and shameful and can lead to deception, loss of relationship or divorce, isolation and feelings of loss of control. Recovery requires compassion and a willingness to look inside one-self with honesty in order to understand the meaning these behaviors have had in your life.
Individuals can learn to employ new behaviors in order to resist their impulses. They learn to accept responsibility, new ways of coping with the underlying psychological and emotional triggers, create a relapse prevention plan, and repair relationships. New behaviors combined with psychological understanding are the foundation of relapse prevention.
All inquires are strictly confidential.
Insurance reimbursement may be available.