Treating Out of Control Sexual Behavior: Rethinking Sex Addiction

Out of control sexual behaviour – referred to variously as sex addiction , sexual compulsivity, and hypersexuality, among other terms, has been a controversial and attention-getting issue since it first captured both public and professional attention over 30 years ago. Previous discussions of this behaviour have been grounded in conceptualising it as a pathologised, medical issue on par with substance abuse addictions, or, in backlash, as simply irresponsible behaviour indicating weakness in the individual. In keeping with the call from many leaders in the mental health and sexual health areas to move beyond these two polarized conceptualizations of these sexual behaviour problems, the authors present a model for working with clients in both group and individual treatment settings. Based on their experience with hundreds of clients, this book provides a comprehensive and practical conceptualization of out of control sexual behaviour framed as a sexual health problem within a larger model of human behaviour, not a psychiatric or addictive disorder. The book includes step-by-step tools for assessment, treatment planning as well as treatment implementation. It describes a process for professionals to guide clients to define and be accountable for their own personal vision of sexual health as the foundation on which they regain sexual behaviour control. The authors provide rich and varied composite case examples based on 20 years of clinical experience that demonstrate clinician sexual health treatment conversations and tools, as well as stories of hope and guidance so essential to individuals wanting to understand how sexual health can be the essential ally in changing their sexual behaviour.