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SEX, LOVE AND RELATIONSHIP ADDICTION TREATMENT AND RECOVERY FROM COMPULSIVE SEXUAL BEHAVIOR

Patients seeking treatment for compulsive sexual behaviors also participate in our full trauma resolution program. The Life Healing Center’s treatment program recognizes that sex, love and relationship recovery is a vital part of healing the wounds of trauma. Regardless of the source of injury, emotional, physical, sexual abuse or neglect, trauma inevitably affects the body. The body becomes objectified: a degree of inner distance or dissociation direly needed during the trauma remains long after the perceived threat has passed. As adults we often unwittingly engage in behaviors that cause this kernel of inner disconnection to grow, creating a cycle of increased self-alienation.

Present day sexual and relationship behaviors, at times, are mirrors of such a self-alienating process. A person can feel compelled to engage in a host of sexual and relationship behaviors. Obsessions with sexual images, compulsions to masturbate or to engage in sex with numerous partners, or to avoid physical intimacy can be expressions of an underlying trauma. Ones sexual and relationship life becomes characterized by a sense of urgency. Freedom of choice is replaced by a chronic sense of shame or obligation. Without intervention, these patterned responses tend to feed upon themselves, gaining more and more control of someone’s life. Fortunately, there is hope for sexual and relationship recovery. Beneath this destructive cycle is the valiant attempt to heal. The self-alienating behaviors are misguided attempts to re-engage the original injury, the underlying pain.

The staff at The Life Healing Center is experienced at helping people identify their current treatment needs. Recovery involves two phases. Phase one is the elimination or reduction of the patterned, compulsive sexual or relationship behavior. At times this can be achieved by a heightened inner awareness of the destructiveness of the actions. Typically an elevated degree of external support including a more controlled external environment, a structured program, e.g. a 12 Step program, and positive peer influence is needed. The second phase of recovery involves addressing the underlying pain that fuels the addictive process. This phase requires a foundation of abstinence from the undesired sexual and relationship behaviors.

In the second phase of sex, love and relationship addiction recovery, our treatment methods help clients identify the internal plea for help lying just beneath their problem sexual behavior. The power of the compulsion is systematically broken by helping residents find more adaptive ways to access and to release the upsurges of pain, terror or rage that have been haunting them. The process on internal alienation is replaced by self-nurturance, and by the ability to engage in intimate relationships.

LIFE HEALING CENTER SEXUAL INTEGRITY PROGRAM FOR WOMEN

At Life Healing Center we are convinced that women who need treatment for sex, love and relationship addictions require the safety and comfort of an all female environment to have the best chance of recovery. That is why we have developed the Life healing Center Women’s Program for Sexual Integrity. This program provides gender specific treatment for women whose sex, love and relationship patterns cause unwanted negative life consequences such as broken relationships, family problems, disease, depression, emotional instability, lost jobs and lost opportunity. Our women’s programming, run by female professionals, proves sex, love and relationship addiction treatment that mirrors the best aspects of the men’s programs, but also reflects the emotional, relationship and cultural challenges faced by female sex, love and relationship addicts.

We Treat Women Struggling with:

• Online Affairs and Cybersex
• Serial Relationships
• Infidelity
• Relationship Obsession and Stalking
• Prior Sexual Trauma related Adult Sexual Acting Out
• Drug and Alcohol Abuse fueled by Sexual Behavior
• Prostitution and Sex Work
• Exhibitionism, Stripping/Dancing
• Rejection of Love and Intimacy
• Anonymous Sex
• Compulsive Masturbation
• Professional Boundary Problems

We also treat some sexual offending behaviors on a case-by-case basis

Treatment Methods May Include:

• Extensive Sexual Interview and Evaluation
• Identification of Stressors and Triggers
• Elimination of Problem Sex and Relationship Behaviors
• Introduction of Healthy Coping and Intimacy Skills
• Dialectical Behavioral Treatment (DBT)
• Shame Reduction
• Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Trauma Exploration and Symptom Reduction
• EMDR/Somatic/Breathwork/Equine and other Adjunctive Therapies
• Family Involvement (where appropriate)

Sexual Integrity – Services for Women

Despite the shame that sexual disorders bring to sex, love and relationship addicts and those they love, effective, well researched Residential Sex, Love and Relationship Addiction treatment has been available to men since the mid-1980’s. until now, a woman in need of help with sex, love and relationship addiction has been limited to receiving care in programs designed, run and populated nearly entirely by men. But Life Healing Center is different. We direct confidential, personal and effective gender specific sex, love and relationship addiction treatment programs for men and women.

LIFE HEALING CENTER SEXUAL INTEGRITY PROGRAM FOR MEN

At Life Healing Center, we believe that sex, love and relationship addiction must be addressed within the context of the individual’s total spiritual, emotional, psychological and physiological well-being. Since the clinical picture is often complicated by mood or anxiety disorders, trauma, grief and loss, substance dependence, or eating disorders, Sexual Integrity Program staff work hand-in-hand with the client to formulate an integrated treatment plan that addresses all of the relevant needs and personal goals in a gender specific manner.

We Treat Men Struggling with:

• Online Affairs, Infidelity, Broken Relationships
• Cybersex, Porn and Compulsive Masturbation
• Drug and Alcohol Abuse fueled by Sexual Behavior
• Prostitution and Sensual Massage
• Inability to form Relationship Intimacy
• Anonymous and Public Sex
• Prior Sexual Trauma related to Adult Sexual Acting Out
• Professional Boundary Problems
• Exhibitionism and Voyeurism (case by case basis)
• Viewing  Illegal Porn

We also treat some sexual offending behaviors on a case-by-case basis

The goal of treatment is to eliminate the sexual behavior patterns that create unwanted consequences and loss. We help identify the underlying trauma and stressors that lead to sexual acting out, while providing the tools needed toward relationship health and intimacy.

Our men’s gender specific, residential program utilizes the “Recovery Start Kit” developed by Dr. Patrick Carnes, Ph.D., which provides strategic focus on the critical first phase of healing. An internationally acclaimed speaker and author of numerous books, including “Out of the Shadows,” “Betrayal Bond” and “A Gentle Path Through the Twelve Steps,” Dr. Carnes’ pioneering work in the field of sex addiction treatment is an invaluable asset and recovery tool to anyone dealing with this challenging illness.

Our Treatment Methods May Include:

• Extensive Sexual Interview and Evaluation
• Identification of Stressors and Triggers
• Elimination of Problem Sex, Love and Relationship Behaviors
• Introduction of Healthy Coping and Intimacy Skills
• Shame Reduction
• Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Dialectical Behavioral Treatment (DBT)
• Shame Reduction
• Trauma Exploration and Symptom Reduction
• EMDR/Somatic/Breathwork/Equine and other Adjunctive Therapies
• Family Involvement (where appropriate)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT SEX ADDICTION

Understanding Sexual Addiction
Addiction to sex is similar to an addiction to gambling in that all process addictions are behavior based rather than substance based, and have a biological and neuro-chemical core. It also resembles chemical dependency in that sex, love and relationship addiction are behavioral disorders are often passed along in families. However, their treatment requirements are unique.

Addiction and sex
Sexual addiction is often accompanied by other addictions, both chemical and behavioral. Physicians’ understanding of this fact is important since sexual addiction contributes significantly to the AIDS epidemic and because efforts to control sexual addiction are often confounded by coexistent problems.

What is sex addiction?
Symptoms of sex addiction follow predictable patterns. You will find everything from research to case studies in our Sex Addiction Articles. The easiest way to recognize the signs of sexual addiction is the take a sex addiction test online.

Overcoming sexual addiction
A spouse coping with sex addiction in his or her partner is often desperate to find out how to stop sex addiction. If the partner or the addict needs specific information about how to begin recovery from sex addiction, the internet provides an excellent way to get information confidentially.

The 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous have been adapted for use in programs for eating disorders, compulsive gambling, sex addiction, and other addictions. Treatment programs for sex addiction are geared to addicted individuals as well as spouses of sex addicts, and couples.

Getting help with sex addiction

Facilities that do not provide sex addiction help may directly refer patients to a sexual addiction treatment center if sexual issues are detected during treatment for chemical dependency for example. In cases where sexual addiction has led to exceptionally serious problems, such as when an unfaithful person has exposed the partner to HIV infection, or when sexual misconduct has occurred that could result in legal charges, loss of professional license, and financial adversity for the family, sex and love addiction rehab centers can provide a certified sex addiction therapist who has the training necessary to assist clients in navigating these uniquely difficult situations. Certified Sex Addiction Therapists (CSAT’s) have extensive long-term training and supervision in the management of sex addiction cases. Sex addiction counselors face challenges different from those of other addiction specialists. Unlike the goal in treatment of chemical dependency, which is abstinence from use of all psychoactive substances, the therapeutic goal in sexual addiction is abstinence only from compulsive sexual behavior with a coexisting goal, that of adapting and integrating healthy sexuality.

SPOUSES & PARTNERS OF SEX ADDICTS: TREATMENT & SUPPORT

At life Healing Center we understand that many sex addicts enter sexual addiction treatment unaware of the genuine pain that their sexual acting out has brought to their spouses, partners and loved ones. Treatment is dedicated to helping spouses, partners and loved ones better understand the problem of sexual addiction while helping sex addicts gain empathy towards their loved ones. Spouses, partners and loved ones are involved in the treatment process only with patient consent.

If you are experiencing

• Sexual Betrayal
• Lies and Dishonesty
• Cheating
• Adultery
• Doubts about the reality of your relationship
• Broken Vows and Trust
• Broken Promises and Hurt
• A Partner’s Double Life
• Affairs
• Diminishing Intimacy
• Relationship Loss
• Infidelity

...You Are Not Alone
We Understand

Living with or discovering a spouse’s or partner’s hidden sexual life is shameful, overwhelming, frightening and infuriating. The family program at Life Healing Center is designed to answer your questions and help you work through your fears for yourself and your family. With patient consent, we will invite you to be a part of treatment by phone from the beginning of the treatment process and to join your loved one for a multi-day family and couples experience toward the end of treatment. There is an additional fee for participation in the family program.

We Can Help

Our Sexual Integrity Program can help with your overwhelming feelings of betrayal, anger, and confusion. We have worked with hundreds of sex, love and relationship addicts and partners in similar circumstances. We provide an effective, confidential process for you to find therapeutic support and provide resources for ongoing recovery.

We help couples heal from sexual addiction.