Sexual Compulsion Treatment
The first step when recovering from a sexual compulsion is to stop the sexually compulsive behavior. This step may seem simple enough, however willpower alone or just telling yourself that you will never do the sexual compulsion behavior again is rarely successful. Urges to engage in the behavior can be very strong and challenging to resist. One of the first things that you can start doing for yourself to prepare for the urges that accompany stopping the sexual compulsion behavior is a series of simple behavioral steps.
Make a list of obstacles to engaging in the sexual compulsion behavior and implement them. Answer this question: What concrete things can I do to make it more difficult to engage in my sexual behavior of choice? For example, individuals who compulsively view pornography would need to throw out any pornography that they own including DVDs. For internet pornography, getting rid of the internet or putting the computer in a common open area in the home are helpful. Also getting rid of any accounts, including credit cards that have been used to purchase pornography are obstacles. Enlist someone’s help in implementing these obstacles and assisting you in monitoring them.
Obstacles don’t work by themselves. They need some effort on your part. Take out a piece of paper and make a list of ways that you can support yourself when the urge to act out gets very strong. Some supportive techniques include, but are not limited to:
- calling a friend or family person who knows about your sexual compulsion, list as many people as you can calling a friend or family member who in general is calming – even if this person has no idea about your sexual compulsion
- attending a support group for people in recovery from sexual compulsion
- meet with a therapist who specializes in sexual compulsion recovery
- getting out of the house and putting yourself in a public place where you might have a conversation with someone going to the gym
- stopping the activity you are doing and taking a brisk walk, or coffee break
- engaging in an activity (list as many as you can think of)
- journaling your thoughts
- reading a sexual compulsion recovery book
Carry the list with you and go down the whole list if you have to refrain from acting out sexually. It is extremely important for you to involve people in this process and in your recovery. An obvious reason is to have people to rely on for help and support. There is another very important reason. Many individuals with sexually compulsive behavior feel shame and guilt about their behavior making it hard to tell others. The problem is that hiding it from others and the resulting isolation fuels that compulsion’s power. It makes it easier to rationalize and give in to the urges. Being able to acknowledge it to yourself and to others out loud reduces its power and makes it easier to resist. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. If you can’t stop on your own, and are too embarrassed to tell your friends and family, you may benefit from scheduling an appointment with a therapist who specializes in sexual compulsion recovery. Treatment is 100% confidential. For your convenience we have offices in Philadelphia, PA, Richmond VA, Ocean City NJ, Santa Fe NM. Find a therapist near me by calling 215 922 5683 x 100
You can self schedule an in-person or virtual therapy session at the Center for Growth by calling (215) 922- LOVE (5683) x 100.
Our Guarantee: If after your first session you are not sold that you are working with the right therapist, do not hesitate to call our intake line at 215 922 5683 x 100 or Alex at (267) 324-9564 and ask to be rescheduled with another therapist. The choice of how you want to proceed is yours. Our only goal is to support you in becoming the best you possible.
For your convenience, we have brick and mortar offices and work with clients virtually in Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, New Jersey, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.
Physical Therapy Office Locations:
Ocean City Therapy Office 360 West Ave, Floor 1, Ocean City, NJ 08226
Mechanicsville Therapy Office 9044 Mann Drive, Mechanicsville Virginia, 23116
Society Hill Therapy Office 233 S. 6th Street, C-33, Philadelphia PA 19106
Art Museum / Fairmount Therapy Office 2401 Pennsylvania Ave, Suite 1a2, Philadelphia PA 19130
Providence Therapy Office 173 Waterman St. Providence, RI 02906
Fayetteville Therapy Office 101 Devant Street #606, Fayetteville GA 30214
Santa Fe Therapy Office, 2204 B Brothers Road, Santa Fe, New Mexico, 87505
Telemedicine Therapy Locations: We have therapists who are licensed to work in Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, New Jersey, New Mexico, Pennsylvania and Virginia and Pennsylvania
Therapy Services Offered in Fayetteville, Ocean City, Mechanicsville, Philadelphia, Providence, Santa Fe:
Individual Counseling and therapy
Couples Counseling and marriage counseling
Teen Therapy and Adolescent Therapy and tweens and child counseling
Family Therapy and multi-generational counseling
Art Therapy and Counseling no art skills needed
ADHD Therapy and ADD, Dyslexia, Autism, Tourettes counseling
Anxiety, Panic, OCD Therapy and worry and fear support
Breaking the cycle of Codependency and being your own person
Overcoming Chronic Illness and Chronic Pain .
Depression Therapy and sadness, gloom, and upset support
Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) Therapy is a particular style of therapy designed for people with problems affecting their nervous system, how the brain and body send and receive signals.
Grief Therapy and loss, End of A Relationship, rejections, pregnancy and loss and therapy
Mindfulness Based Therapy and spirituality based therapy
Narcissistic Abuse Recovery child of, parent of, spouse of, sibling of a narcissist.
Sex Therapy and sexual function & dysfunction, sex addiction, sexual orientation and gender identity support
Trauma Therapy both emotional and sexual abuse, complex trauma, PTSD counseling
Divorce support
Affairs, Infidelity, Unfaithful, Cheating counseling
Parenting therapy
Personality disorder treatments Narcissist, Borderline, Histrionic
Setting Boundaries and identifying ones own Core Beliefs
Just name some of the Mental Health issues that we work with. Our goal is to help you Change and Achieve Your Dreams
