Sexual Abuse

Many issues people struggle with stem from having suffered an abusive past. A significant  percentage of adults who struggle with sexual boundary issues, sexual compulsivity, sexual anorexia or a fear of emotional and sexual intimacy have abuse in their past that was never addressed and remains unresolved. Addictions often serve as a coping mechanism to numb feelings and the pain of these wounds.

Sexual compulsive behavior and sex addiction as a reaction to sexual abuse

Not uncommon , when men and women seek treatment for sex addiction or sexual compulsive behavior, we discover they had a history of sexual abuse in their childhood. For these people the roots of their addiction lays in the trauma they suffered as children. 

Psychological trauma is  a type of wounding to the psyche that occurs as a result of a severely distressing event that exceeds one's ability to cope or integrate the emotions involved with that experience. A traumatic event can involve one experience, or repeating events. It can lead to serious, long-term negative consequences and mental health issues. 

Treatment:

Treatment at NYCSAT is always individually tailored  and consists of a mutli-faceted approach. We address the sex addiction as well as the trauma of the sexual abuse. The sex addiction therapy aspect will involve learning about your triggers, risk recognition and developing an individualized treatment plan. The trauma of the sexual abuse will be sensitively addressed and worked through in a safe environment for successful long term healing to occur. In addition, treatment will focus on identifying dysfunctional family of origin patterns and dynamics, shame reduction, learning to set and maintain boundaries, as well as dealing with grief and loss.

For further information or to set up a confidential consultation please email us or call  212.665.7352