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What does a porn or sex addiction look like?

Each day you wake up and go through the motions.
You head into the office. Or maybe you are running kids to school and managing the home. 
You break for lunch, or perhaps each lunch while crossing things off your to do list.
You leave the office and return home or head to the pick up line and do the after school activity driving and attending.

On and off through the day come those compulsive thoughts that you can't quite seem to shake off. 
Life can sometimes feel repetitive or mundane, and maybe your troubles all began because you were simply looking for a release.
Sexual addiction is not yet officially recognized by the American Psychiatric Association so you may find it harder to identify in your own life than you realize. Porn and sex addiction can leave you feeling isolated and ashamed. Because of the ease of accessibility, anonymity, and affordability of pornographic materials, sexual addictions are higher than ever and affect millions of people.

Signs You May Have a Sexual Addiction

Have you lost your ability to control watching porn? Has your partner brought up your sexual habits? Has it become increasingly difficult to stay faithful in your relationship?
There is a stigma around sexual addiction because people downplay problematic behavior. It is easier to justify certain actions when there is widespread acceptance. Because of the grey area sexual addictions reside, there can be added difficulty in identifying when there is a problem. We know that genetics play a key role in addictions, but there can also be external factors such as early exposure to porn, sexual abuse, or other trauma.

“Is there help for sexual addiction?”

ABSOLUTELY!
We have therapists who have gone above and beyond with extensive specialized training to obtain their CSAT Certification. A CSAT is a Certified Sexual Addictions Therapist. Our therapists are sure to treat you with respect and dignity while working with you to help overcome your sexual addiction and urges. You do not need to stand alone in shame. Our therapists will walk this path to healing alongside you and be a guiding light to lead you out of the darkness of porn and sex addiction!

“What Does Therapy with a CSAT Look Like?”

With any addiction there is no one-size-fits-all approach for treatment. Therapy at Mariposa will look different for each individual client. Becoming a CSAT is one of the many ways our therapists have committed to being the best. They have learned to embody our core values of grace and compassion, while gently guiding you to healing and wholeness. Through individual counseling at Mariposa, you and your therapist will work to capture a clear understanding of your own addiction, as well as its root causes. Together you will be able to set concrete goals to improve your personal relationships as well as manage any symptoms that accompany your sexual addiction.

"Why is it better to see a CSAT?"

Coming to therapy to talk about the ways porn or sexual behaviors have caused life to be out of control or unmanageable is hard enough by itself. Wondering if your therapist will judge, shame, or misunderstand you should not have to be a worry. Our therapists having the CSAT training means they have been extensively educated on the biological components of addiction, how trauma and addiction interact, the impact of addiction in all other areas of life, and so much more. Most importantly they have done their own work through the training process to examine any stigma, bias, or personal issues that may come up doing this work. Because of that, you can know that our therapists understand shame, and the work it takes to create a safe, non-judgmental, compassionate environment where you can heal.

“I am ready! How do I get started?”

We are so happy you are here.
We want you to feel as though you have a partner to really guide you through this process and journey with you on your path to restoration.
We at Mariposa Counseling have worked hard to ensure that when you walk into our Grand Rapids office you are met with a warm, welcoming, safe environment. Our courtesy refreshment bar, soft lighting and muted décor are sure to leave you feeling relaxed and comfortable. We are located in the Cooper’s Landing building at 1345 Monroe Ave NW Suite 323. Nestled between downtown Grand Rapids and Riverside Park, we serve our local communities in west Michigan right in our offices. At Mariposa we know that the needs for CSAT services extend beyond our local counties of Kent, Ottawa, Muskegon, or Newaygo, so we proudly offer online virtual sessions to the entire state of Michigan as well!

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