Sex Addiction Therapy in a Safe Environment

For sex addiction treatment to be effective proper assessment of incoming clients is critical. This assessment covers distant, recent, and current sexual behavior constellations, as well past trauma and co-existing disorders. Bright Hearts Counseling offers the most current battery of written and online sexual behavior tests and thorough screening tools available in order to:

  • Quickly target deficits and patterns
  • Efficiently identify arousal templates and empirically validated areas of risks.

Testing and screening promotes the best allocation of time, resources and energy and helps prevent expending energy in directions that are “dead ends” and therapeutically misaligned with the client’s core needs.

Individual Sex Addiction Therapy & Treatment

Sexual addiction therapy is not like traditional counseling modalities. It utilizes a task-based approach that incorporates homework assignments (e.g. reading, surveys, writing assignments, etc.). These assignments help pierce through denial and educate individuals regarding the addiction cycle.

Task-based treatment also helps clients reduce and contain damage, and achieve sobriety, by adopting a proactive mindset. This is more effective than mere “avoidance” (i.e a “stop being bad” program), which is fear and guilt based. No more “flying solo” into a status quo of continued isolation. Instead, the client learns to build a “culture of support” by trusting others for accountability and encouragement.

Sex Addiction Recovery Groups

Recovery is accelerated and sustained by the encouragement, example, and transparency of others walking the same road.

Bright Hearts Counseling / Sex AddictionWeekly therapist-led sex addiction group therapy is an huge advantage towards accelerating growth and change.  Structured group therapy blends key topics and curriculum with real-life, “behind-the-scene” transparency and accountability and  complements the client’s outside  recovery efforts and involvement.  Regular weekly sobriety and well-being  “check ins” in the privacy and intimacy of a small group invite support and a change pathway via targeted self and group interventions that don’t resort to shame or secrecy.

These groups also provide the opportunity to receive voluntary, interactive feedback and engage others via interactive self-awareness and communication-building exercises.

Sharing exercises allow group members to practice setting healthy personal and relational boundaries and begin confronting “thinking errors.” Group members initiate the healing and amends process amidst a safe, non-judgmental, and confidential gathering of peers. Combined with individual treatment, sponsorship, and 12-step work, therapist-led recovery groups complete a solid and enduring recovery foundation.

Couples Sex Addiction Counseling

sex addiction counselingI have conducted dozens of couples counseling sessions over the years. However, when dealing with sex addiction, couples counseling is sometimes best deferred until addiction can be assessed and key milestones towards recovery established. At the appropriate time, a therapist-facilitated disclosure session can provide the turning point for reconciliation and amends with many couples.

Pre and Post Inpatient Coordination and Aftercare

Sometimes sex addiction reaches a point where it impairs major functional areas of someone’s life and can results in serious job, family, health, or personal upheaval. Often sex addiction occurs along with other disorders, such as depression, anxiety, ADHD, or another diagnosis.

After thorough assessment if a client’s addiction is deemed to be chronic then a short, medium, or long-term  “Intensive” or residential stay may be clinically proscribed.  Bright Hearts networks with key residential treatment and short-term intensive providers to find the best fit for our clients and there given resources and situation. 

Bright Hearts Counseling also provides support for effective anger management and divorce recovery for men. We encourage you to look at our educational resources as well.

To request a counseling appointment with Jeff, please complete the Contact Form.

Caring, Understanding Sex Addiction Therapy


Snohomish service area of Lynnwood, Everett, Edmonds, Mukilteo, Bothell, Mill Creek, Lake Stevens.