Dr. Milton Magness explores the signs and symptoms of sexual addiction. He answers the questions, “How can I tell if someone is a ‘sex addict?'” Although there is no definitive answer, there are clues. Once a person suspects their partner may be struggling with sexual addiction, what should they do? No one can make a person struggling with an addiction seek treatment, but everyone can learn to keep themselves safe. They can learn to set heathy boundaries. They can challenge their partner to seek help.
Addiction: Habit Gone Wrong
Efficiency is the brain’s goal. Habits are the way it achieves it. A discipline a beneficial behavior that the brain has taken up as a habit to advance your life’s goals and purpose. An addiction is a risky behavior that the brain has taken up as a habit, that puts it all at risk. Here is how it works.
Bo Eason on Shame and Focus
How do I get back on course when I get off track? Why am I always wondering off the path? Is there really any hope for me? These questions plague our clients. But not just our clients, these questions plague us. They plague all of us. Getting off track is not the problem of a few. It is the challenge of us all. Former NFL football star Bo Eason share’s his perspective.
Trauma Triggers
A Trauma Trigger is anything that activates your fight-flight response. It is your body’s way of coping with overwhelming stress. If you have ever experienced a traumatic event — or even sustained trauma over a long period of time (abuse, stress, anxiety, etc) your body may involuntarily and spontaneously go into a traumatic response.
The Stress Thermometer and Trauma Triggers
The Stress Thermometer is a metaphor developed by Terry Gorski to help people manage stress. This is particularly helpful for people whose Sympathetic Nervous Systems has been hijacked by trauma.
About Trauma and Sexual Addiction
Struggling with sexual addiction or facing life with a person who struggles with sexual addiction is traumatic. It can lead to the development of…
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A Primer On Pornography Addiction
Our Clinical Director, Leslie Haws recommends an article from Psychology Today. Think of it as a primer on pornography addiction. It lays out the simple basics that everyone really should know.
What is a Process Addiction?
In just three minutes Dr. David Greenfield explains how a process (or behavioral) addiction works. All addictions are the same — in terms of the addictive process — even though at the neurochemical level there are some differences.
Ted Talks about Sexual Addiction
In this Ted Talk Paula Hall talks about Sexual Addiction. She introduces us to a regular guy named Mark. Consider how the Internet has made access to pornography so easy. Consider how our hyper-sexual society distracts our natural need for intimacy. Consider how families have replaced regular, healthy interaction with their children with screen-time. You probably know someone like Mark. You probably know a lot of people like Mark. You may very well be Mark.
Disclosure Done Well
A disclosure process takes place in the presence of a therapist who is trained to know what to expect and how to guide the process. Ideally, two therapists are present: One to support the partner, and one do support the addict.
Much preparation precedes the discloser event for both the addict and the partner.
The goal is to reveal the addict’s acting out behavior in a way that does not create triggers for either person.