Sex Addiction Explained with 1 PowerPoint Slide
I do a lot of work with men who are working through a sexual addiction and porn addiction. I decided to create one PowerPoint slide to help at least explain it intellectually.
Here is the step by step explanation of the slide starting with the box on the left.
Individual
- Individual is born and life is relatively pain free.
Negative Core Beliefs/Shame
- Individual has painful experiences (generally in childhood)
- Trauma: sexual, physical, emotional, neglect (for men usually no father present emotionally)
- Gender Shame: feels inadequate or not good enough as a man
- Shame: feels bad, unworthy and fundamentally unlovable
- Trauma: sexual, physical, emotional, neglect (for men usually no father present emotionally)
Healthy Intimacy
- Once the negative core beliefs and shame take root then healthy intimacy becomes terrifying.
- The experience of healthy intimacy brings up in men the feelings of powerlessness
- Why? – because the men feel inadequate and to be in a healthy intimacy requires being vulnerable which means they could be exposed for being ‘inadequate’
- The experience of healthy intimacy brings up in men the feelings of powerlessness
‘Acting Out’
- Acting out sexually (porn, escorts, anonymous sex, compulsive masturbation) becomes a safer option for men
- Why? – becomes it numbs the pain of feeling bad about themselves & provides them with a fleeting experience of power.
Treatment for Sex Addiction
Treatment must be focused on dealing with the negative core beliefs and shame that a man is carrying. Working elsewhere may be helpful temporarily but will change little longer term.
Sex & Porn Addiction Recovery Resources for men in Toronto, Ontario (GTA).
- Sex & Porn Addiction Recovery Guide (Toronto)
Eric Pierni, Registered Psychotherapist, Certified Sex Addiction Therapist (CSAT) | Founder of Men Therapy Toronto | Counselling Services for Men specializing in therapy and psychotherapy for men in Toronto, Ontario (GTA). Offices are located in the midtown (Yonge & Eglinton) area of Toronto.
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