Spouses of sex addicts often suffer in isolation.
Partners and spouses deserve compassion, education, information.
Support is invaluable for these powerful emotions and critical decisions.
Image Courtesy Jack Newton
Partners often describe entering a state of “freefall” upon discovery of a spouse’s sexually compulsive behaviors.
The bottom drops out of life as they knew it. Beyond the despair, rage and shame, partners also experience profound disorientation. There’s overwhelm and anxiety over what to do next, what the future holds, how one’s children or community will be affected, etc.
It’s crucial for a therapist to recognize the unique experience and therapeutic requirements of partners impacted by a sex addict’s behaviors. You will be treated with compassion and understanding as you work through the trauma and pain activated as a result of your partner’s sexual addiction.
There is a treatment process for couples working through the wreckage of sexual addiction. While it’s not easy, couples can (and do) emerge with improved communication skills, increased responsibility to self and others, and a hard-won emotional intimacy.
For spouses, Full Disclosure from the addict can be a instrumental step toward recovery. Disclosure can stop the “freefall” and restore a sense of respect and dignity to the spouse, allowing them to know the truth of their life and make next-step decisions accordingly. Full Formal Disclosure is an important part of treatment, and should be prepped and facilitated by clinicians specially trained to guide the sex addict and spouse though the process.
Individual Therapy in the East Bay for Partners & Spouses of Sex Addicts
Partners working with a sex-addiction specialist have access to expertise and advocacy that other therapists can’t provide. These are unique crises and predicaments. Professional help empowers partners to choose constructive responses to their situation. Effective treatment provides partners:
- Immediate tools for trauma, crisis management, risks to health or reputation.
- Psychoeducation: What sex addiction IS vs. what sex addiction ISN’T.
- Emphasis on self-care and support system.
- Guidance and preparation process for addict’s Full Disclosure
- Development of increased self-esteem and healthier coping mechanisms
Group Therapy in the East Bay for Partners & Spouses of Sex Addicts
“Helping Partners and Spouses of Sex Addicts Heal”
Tuesdays 11am-12:30pm
For partners, group therapy is typically the most crucial resource for healing. The discovery of sexual addiction leaves partners shocked, embarrassed and ashamed—but also afraid of inviting gossip if they confide in others. Friends and family may offer support, but these opinions and judgements can be uneducated and injurious. For partners, there’s no substitute for sitting in a room surrounded by people who understand first-hand the issues unique to partners of sex addicts! Foundry’s confidential, therapist-led partners’ groups meet weekly and are limited to 6 members.
Click here to request an appointment in our Oakland office, or to get more information about partner-specific treatment.