Definition of Sex Addiction?

Sex Addiction is defined as any sexual-related compulsive behaviors which interferes with normal living and relational connections. Sex Addiction causes severe stress on family, friends, loved ones and one’s work environment (Recovery Zone, 2020).

Levels of Sex Addiction:

Level One: Commonality with general cultural acceptance and public tolerance. Level One behaviors can become a challenge when human sexual expressions turn into self-defeating behaviors which are done in a compulsive manner. Many Level One Addicts believe they are in control of their behaviors, rationalizing they are no different from other sexual people. The accumulated effects of sexual behaviors are rooted in a complex distress of deceit, isolation and shame.

• Pornography, Centerfolds, Strip Shows
• Masturbation
• Fantasizing- Objectification/Sexualization
• Lusting
• Compulsive Relationships
• Prostitutaion
• Anonymous Sex

Level Two: Sexual behaviors that are sufficiently intrusive to warrant legal penalties and are punishable when actively prosecuted. Commonality of all Level Two obsession is that someone is victimized.

• Exhibitionism
• Voyeurism
• The Voyeur-Exhibitionist
• Indecent Calls and Libertues

Level Three: Sexual behaviors that have a profound violation of cultural boundaries which warrant extreme legal consequences. Like level two obsessions, someone is victimized.

Do I have an addiction?

If you’re struggling with problematic sexual acting out behaviors or are unsure if you struggle with sex addiction, you can visit the Recovery Zone website at https://new.recoveryzone.com/?forceHome=yes. Here you can take a short quiz to determine if you meet the qualifications for sex addiction work.

What are my next steps?

If you have doubts, questions or concerns regarding past and/or current sexual behaviors you are welcome to schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation with Ariele Oshiro-Wilkie, M.S., a Certified Sex Addiction Therapist (CSAT) and EMDR provider. During the phone consultation, Ariele will provide you with an outline of the treatment program. If you feel she is a good fit to guide you through your road to recovery, we can schedule an Initial Intake appointment.

What can I expect during treatment:

Fear of abandonment and shame are at the core of addiction. Utilizing Dr. Patrick Carne’s, Ph.D Task Model approach, clients are guided through treatment in a safe and judgement free space. Therapist and client work to create an Individualized treatment plan. During the initial stage of treatment clients are assessed throughly for past and current sexual behaviors, trauma history and relational connections. We focus on three primary areas:

1.     Behavioral Interventions and Relapse Prevention

2.     Establishing Core Resiliency and Personal Development

3.     Forming Healthy Relationship Competencies

Behavioral Interventions and Relapse Prevention: Clients will receive Psychoeducation around Sex Addiction and gain an understanding of their Sex Addiction System/Cycles. Clients will gain tools and Behavioral Interventions to work towards recovery while developing a Relapse Prevention plan.

Establishing Core Resiliency and Personal Development: Clients are guided in a safe space to understand, process and heal past trauma history utilizing a technique called Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). Clients work on re-routing their Internal Core Belief System of Fear of Abandonment and Shame through Core Resilience and Personal Development work.

Forming Healthy Relationship Competencies: While clients continue to grow within their recovery, clients will gain communication tools to help navigate through conflict or conversations within a relationship, tools to identify and express emotional needs, tools to help understand and respect relational boundaries, and building different forms of intimacy.