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In working on a sexual issue, there is a common phenomenon that is counter-intuitive. This isn’t an issue that directly relates to sex, but instead relates much more to motivation. As a sex therapist, I work with many clients who come into therapy looking for expert advice.

Rigidity often lures the mind away from balance—it can keep us down and defeat us before we even start something. Locking in on how something is supposed to be, or how much someone should be doing something, can keep a person from starting something from the get-go.

For starters, let’s take a minute to review last week’s post on spirituality in counseling. (1) It’s hard to define. (2) It’s hard to research (see point A). Easy enough to recap, right?

I’m not sure about your training, but I know that the training I received in my masters and doctoral programs didn’t leave me feeling fully prepared for researching spirituality or for talking about spirituality in counseling. And spirituality, in particular, has a special place in my heart.

Many sex therapists feel as though sex addiction treatment is simply SOCE in disguise. They cite several evangelical therapy groups who say they treat homosexuality as a sinful, problematic attachment disorder. Identifying and exposing SOCE groups and organizations is important to do.

The space between graduation and full licensure is a complex period in our field. After internship, many interns hope they have found a site that they can stay on at and complete their post-grad hours, while others may want or need to find a new site. From my experience, this period can be stressful and fraught with adjustments.

It’s that time of year! Many people are preparing for the NCE and other counseling exams as they graduate programs or continue their licenses. Navigating the tunnels and hoops just to sit for some of these exams should automatically give people the right to a license, but unfortunately just sitting down to take the test is only half the battle.

So in previous posts I have discussed the importance of one on one quality time with your child. Quality time meaning no interruptions via TV, Ipads, Iphones, video games, and other technological distractions.

One of the most common things I have noticed that I share with my clients is the need for permission to be different. Some of my clients have expressed the desire to make changes in their own worlds but feel unable to do so because they have difficulty seeing themselves in the new roles they desire or want.

There are many sex addiction therapy certification programs. The most popular and well-recognized credential is the CSAT credential. This certification is offered by the International Institute of Trauma Addiction Professionals (IITAP), which was founded by Dr. Patrick Carnes, who is the leading proponent in the topic of sexual addiction.