Blog

By Peter C. Kleponis, Ph.D., SATP, CSAT-C

According to Dr. Patrick Carnes, counseling is a key component to successful recovery for both the addicted person and the affected spouse. With pornography addiction, the pornography use is usually the symptom. The question is “What is the root cause of it?” Often it is the need to escape the pain of deep emotional wounds that drives the compulsion to use pornography repeatedly. Unless these wounds are identified and healed, any sobriety one experiences is simply “white-knuckling it.” This sobriety is usually short-lived and one will soon return to pornography use. Working with a therapist who can help you identify and resolve these wounds can lead to long-term successful sobriety and recovery.

The best therapist to help you is one who specializes in treating sexual addiction. These professionals understand what an addicted person experiences and can help develop an effective recovery program.  Look for therapists with the following designations after their names:

• SATP (Sex Addiction Treatment Provider)
• CSAT (Certified Sex Addiction Therapist)
• AASAT (American Association for Sex Addiction Therapy)

These therapists have completed rigorous training programs in the diagnosis and treatment of sexual addiction. Log onto www.sexhelp.com, and www.aasat.org to find certified therapists.

Wives who have been traumatized by their husband’s pornography use also need counseling to heal from their pain. For these women, I recommend finding a therapist who specialized in betrayal trauma. Look for therapists with the following designations after their names:

• CCPS (Certified Clinical Partner Specialist)
• SATP (Sex Addiction Treatment Provider)
• CSAT (Certified Sex Addiction Therapist)
• AASAT (American Association for Sex Addiction Therapy)

These therapists have completed rigorous training programs for treating spouses who have been traumatized by pornography use and infidelity. Log onto www.apsats.org, www.sexhelp.com, www.aasat.org, and www.addorecovery.com to find certified therapists.

It’s also important to find a therapist who is certified by the agencies listed above, and who is Catholic and adheres to all the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. Your pastor may be able to recommend one. Three other good resources to find such a therapist are:

• www.IntegrityRestored.com
• www.CatholicTherapists.com
• https://www.catholicpsychotherapy.org/directory   

If you cannot find a qualified Catholic therapist, look for one who will respect your Catholic beliefs. You may have to interview several therapists before you find a suitable one. If the therapist is not Catholic, be sure to inform them that you use Sexaholics Anonymous’ definition for sobriety, which is “no sex with yourself or anyone else except your spouse.” Please also inform them that you are against using artificial contraception. When interviewing any therapist, don’t be afraid to ask about their experience and success in treating those who struggle with pornography addiction and/or betrayal trauma.

Even if there are no qualified therapists in your community, you can still find the help you need.  Thanks to modern technology, you can find a qualified therapist no matter where you live. I treat individuals, couples and families from all over the United States and internationally via video conference calls. The results are just as effective as coming to my office and you don’t have to leave your home! The bottom line is that help is available for anyone who seeks it!