Therapeutic interventions recommended for treatment of sexual addiction/ compulsivity

Abstract

This study surveyed 248 counselors, members the American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA) or International Association for Addictions and Offender Counselors (IAAOC), divisions of the American Counseling Association, regarding their perceptions of the nature and treatment of sexual addiction/com-pulsivity. Findings indicated that counselors perceived sexual addiction as an obsessional illness, characterized by out-of-control sexual behavior. A combination of individual and group therapy was most often suggested. Strategies most often recommended for treatment of sexual addiction included cognitive restructuring, defining behavioral boundaries, empathy, positive self-talk, and recognizing and avoiding high-risk situations.