YOUR HEALTH AND SAFETY, AS WELL AS THE CONTINUITY OF YOUR CARE, ARE IMPORTANT TO ME.
I'M PLEASED TO OFFER TELETHERAPY, INCLUDING EMDR SESSIONS AND INTENSIVES, THROUGH VIDEO (ZOOM, FACETIME) AND/OR PHONE.
PLEASE CONTACT ME VIA THE FORM BELOW OR CALL (650) 380-0526 TO SCHEDULE A SESSION AND/OR FOR ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE.
SEXUAL ADDICTION
Sexual Addiction
Sexuality is ultimately an integral and balanced part of our life experience. It can foster intimacy and closeness, and is characterized by trust, respect, vulnerability and joy. However, when sex becomes all-consuming or when we deprive ourselves of healthy sexual expression, our sexuality acts as a barrier defined by shame and self-contempt. It isolates us from attachment with others, rather than connects us.
Each week I hear from individuals who report an increasing pre-occupation with and indulgence in surfing the web for porn or on-line affairs, unsafe sex, strip clubs, prostitution, fantasy, massage parlors, adult bookstores, and other sexually compulsive activities. The behavior is compulsive and dominates their life as an organizing principle and a priority more important than family, friends, and work.
While it is important to remember that “sex addiction” is not a current diagnosis in the DSM (the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual that mental health providers use to diagnose clients), the term is now a prevalent part of our every day language. It is also how many clients self identify when seeking treatment for their compulsive choices around sexual acting out.
No matter how one labels compulsive sexual choices (a colleague refers to sex addiction as simply a “flawed solution”), the clients with whom I work deal with very real and devastating consequences of their secret and deceptive sexual choices, often confusing intensity for intimacy and hurting the ones they love. These consequences can include, broken relationships, a pervasive sense of shame and self loathing, loneliness, difficulty trusting others, arrests, lack of motivation, anxiety, depression, isolation, academic suspension, diminished respect and trust, job loss and other such difficulties.
Supporting sexual addicts and betrayed partners is one of my primary areas of clinical specialization. If you or a loved one are struggling with this and are ready to rebuild and transform your life, I look forward to working with you.
Using focused recovery tools in a confidential environment, I assist you in ending self-defeating behaviors and attitudes and creating a life of which you can be proud. Reaching out for support is nothing to be ashamed of and I commend your efforts in doing so. As Mary Oliver articulates in her poem The Journey, one must be courageous, and determined to save the only life they can save ...
Treatment with an expert can help one move into recovery, and out of the shadow of sexual addiction. Contact me for additional information by filling out the Contact Form below.
Please visit SexHelp.com
for additional information and confidential screening tests or visit the Resources
page of my website for recommended reading.
Kate Parkinson
LMFT, CSAT, CEMDR, CHFP
Call or Text (650) 380-0526
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