Individuals struggling with a sex or porn addiction make sex a higher priority than their family, friends, and even their work. Sex and the seeking out of sex or other sexual behaviors becomes their single-most important focus to the point that they sacrifice and risk it all in order continue in their unhealthy behavior. This preoccupation with sex can become so consuming that there is ultimately a loss of desire for any other activity, including even healthy intimacy with their own spouse.
Addictions to sex and/or pornography are very real problems for men and women of all ages. They are serious issues that can be very destructive to both the individual and their relationships. They are very difficult, but with hard work, not impossible, to overcome. With the right desire and the right counseling, a sexually addicted individual can learn to control their impulses and lead a normal life again.
Individuals with an unhealthy sex compulsion can develop symptoms such as:
- severe depression / suicidal thoughts
- low self-esteem
- despair / hopelessness
- anxiety
- loneliness
- shame or guilt or remorse
- spiritual bankruptcy / moral conflicts
- fear of abandonment
- distorted thinking
More serious addictions can result in risky behaviors including:
- compulsive masturbation
- extensive use of pornography, phone, or internet sex
- infidelity / unsafe and unprotected sex
- illegal activities such as exhibitionism, voyeurism, obscene phone calls, soliciting prostitutes, child molestation, or rape
If you exhibit any of these feelings or behaviors and your addiction is affecting your personal relationships, you should consider counseling.
How can Sex or Porn Addiction Therapy help?
First know that like all therapy, counseling for sex and pornography addictions is completely confidential, non-confrontational and non-judgemental.
Our experienced sex therapists lead you through a discovery process to identify when and how the behaviors started and what brings them on. Discussions about past traumas, health concerns, and general life issues help to understand contributing stress factors that trigger your negative sexual behaviors and feed your sex or pornography addiction. Together, you and your counselor create a customized action plan to identify and stop these troublesome behaviors from arising in the future.
The ultimate goal of sex addiction therapy is to get you to a place where you are truly free from unhealthy sexual compulsions and are able to enjoy, and desire a healthy sexual expression with your partner.
If you are in need of counseling services with the Weldon Spring, MO area for a sex or porn addiction, let our experienced therapists help you. Contact us for an appointment today.