Sex Addiction Therapy in London

Many people love sex and want to enjoy it more often than they usually do, but this is not necessarily a sign of addictive behaviour, just like occasional kinky fantasies or the use of porn. Problems begin when a relationship with sex goes out of control and turns the life of a person upside down, consuming their thoughts, causing distress, and harming different aspects of their life.

If you are struggling to break negative sexual habits and embrace a new healthy lifestyle, sex addiction therapy can help you identify the roots of your compulsions and regain control over your behaviours, thoughts, and cravings so that you can cultivate a more balanced, fulfilled life you deserve.

London Psychosexual Therapy in Facts and Numbers

• 12+ years of experience in helping people improve their sexual health and personal relationships
• 500+ clients have already turned to London Psychosexual Therapy with compulsive behaviours and other sex-related issues and remained satisfied with their treatment programmes
• Personalised therapeutic approaches are developed by Helen Bright-Gerrie – a highly qualified, accredited psychosexual and relationship therapist registered with COSRT who has helped thousands of people worldwide

What is Sex Addiction?

Sexual addiction is also sometimes called compulsive sexual behaviour. The term refers to the failure to control intense, repetitive sexual urges, fantasies, and activities that interfere with the everyday life of a person to the extent when their relationships, physical health, or career become adversely affected. Even though compulsive sexual behaviours often involve different types of commonly enjoyable experiences - pornography use, masturbation, phone sex, or intercourses with multiple partners - the point is in the fixation on intense cravings that get stuck in the mind of a person and cannot be controlled.

An important thing about addictive sexual behaviour is that it’s usually not about sex. Sex is just a symptom of what is going on underneath, so it may be a sign of other mental health conditions as well as underlying emotional and psychological issues, including mood disorders, anxiety, low self- esteem, OCD, and ADHD. That’s why professional sex addiction counseling is crucial for dealing with the problem effectively.

Similarly to all other types of addictions, strong and uncontrollable sexual behaviours are fraught with negative consequences if not treated in time:

• Deterioration of relationships with a loved one, family, or friends
• Loss of job or weak work performance
• Financial problems
• Health consequences, such as unintended pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections (HIV, hepatitis, syphilis, etc.)
• Decreased sexual satisfaction, dependence on enhanced stimulation to get aroused, sexual dysfunction
• Development of mental health issues
• Increased alcohol or drug consumption
• Legal problems
• Suicidal thoughts

Recognizing the Signs and Symptoms of Sex and Love Addiction

Addictive sexual behaviours are often recognised by the following symptoms:

• Spending a lot of time fantasising about sex and planning sexual activity
• Compulsive masturbation (up to several times per day)
• Excessive use of porn (video content, adult magazines, etc.) accompanied by masturbation
• Spending huge amounts on sexual services (phone sex, strip clubs, prostitutes, etc.)
• Engaging in voyeurism or exhibitionism
• Reckless one-night stands
• Inability to refrain from sex with others even while being in a relationship
• Feeling ashamed, disgusted, or guilty after indulging in the sexual compulsions

Signs of Love Addiction

Although both love and sex addictions are classified as compulsive behavioural patterns, they are still different in the source of their obsessions. So, love addictions make a person overwhelmingly centred on the need for love and relationships, which manifests itself in the following signs:

• Excessive feelings of jealousy and possessiveness towards a partner
• Returning to a damaging and abusive relationship time and time again
• Feeling isolated and lonely when not in a relationship
• Strong dependency on a partner
• Unbearable distress when a loved one is not around

Treatment Options for Overcoming Sex Addiction

Sexual addiction treatment comes in two principal forms:

Psychosexual Therapy

Psychosexual therapy involves a wide range of techniques to help individuals manage compulsive sexual behaviours in a way that works best for them, including:

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy: a type of evidence based therapies, which helps to identify and replace negative thoughts and behaviours with more effective ones. By working through the problem with a cognitive and behavioural psychotherapist, sex addicts can gain the skills needed for coping with their urges and unhealthy cravings.
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: a form of cognitive behavioural sex addiction therapy which focuses on accepting obsessive thoughts and sexual urges rather than trying to change them.
• Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy: another modified form of CBT which uses different mindfulness practices like relaxation, meditation, and awareness exercises to alter one’s relation or attitude to the thoughts that can result in undesirable behaviours.
• Psychodynamic Psychotherapy: treatment option aimed at uncovering and addressing the root causes of compulsive sexual behaviours. Longer-term therapy helps in treating a variety of mental issues that emerged in childhood and have not been resolved with a child recovery process specialist.

Self-Help Groups

These are dedicated support groups modelled after the 12-step Alcoholics Anonymous Program. The meetings take place online or offline and help sex addicts:

• Learn more about their disorder
• Discover additional treatment options and resources
• Maintain their progress and prevent relapse

Advantages of Psychosexual Therapy for Sex Addiction

Since compulsive sexual behaviours are just the symptom and not the cause of a problem, it’s crucial to understand that depriving a person of intimate relationships is not the key to recovery. The disorder has a complex nature, and psychological sex addiction therapy proves to be effective for coping with it. It helps people:

• Define the psychological, emotional, environmental, and physical causes of their compulsive behaviours
• Manage the symptoms of sex addiction
• Gain control over the sexual urges and fantasies
• Enhance romantic and sexual relationships with a loved one
• Prevent undesirable consequences and potential complications associated with addictive sexual behaviours (sexually transmitted diseases, money issues, etc.) 
• Reach a stage when sexual activities occur in moderation and do not interfere with emotional and mental well-being 
• Cope with other compulsive behaviours that may go hand-in-hand with sex addiction (love addiction, porn addiction, etc.)

The Journey to Recovery from Sex Addiction

The biggest and scariest step for most addicts is telling somebody about their problem. This takes courage. But simply reading this article and thinking about getting psychological help for yourself or your loved one is already the most crucial step forward to a life-changing recovery. No matter how long you are struggling with sex addiction, healing is possible, and Helen Bright-Gerrie from London Psychosexual Therapy will show you the ways out.

Cost of Sex Addiction Therapy

The cost of sex addiction therapy depends on the duration and type of treatment a person needs (interpersonal therapy, psychodynamic therapy, mindfulness practices, etc.) as well as differ for online and offline sessions. Individual therapy may be cheaper than the one for couples, so clarify this information directly with your integrative counselor.

Those who cannot afford the treatment in the London Psychosexual Therapy clinic may try to get an appointment with Helen Bright-Gerrie in NHS North Middlesex University Hospital where she works part-time and provides affordable sex/porn addiction treatment. Please keep in mind that it can take months to meet Helen there due to a long waiting list of patients.

The Procedure

You can book an initial free 15-minute consultation with a sex addiction London therapist by completing a contact form online. Your initial appointment with Helen Bright-Gerrie will allow you to discuss your expectations from the therapy and the issues you are experiencing. You will obtain a clear idea of Helen’s therapeutic approach, ask questions that bother you, and define whether you need individual or couples therapy. If you choose to continue sexual addiction treatment with Helen, you can arrange further sessions at any suitable date and time. The meetings are held in person at 10 Harley Street, or online according to your needs.

Why Choose London Psychosexual Therapy for Sex Addiction Therapy?

Safe, Nurturing, and Confidential Environment

Everyone who comes through the doors of the London Psychosexual Therapy clinic can gain the courage to cope with mental problems, heal from traumatic experiences, and become accountable for their own behaviours and feelings in a pleasurable, caring, and cosy environment. Sex addiction therapy London takes place in a confidential, non-judgemental space at a time that is convenient for each client.

Personalized Treatment Plans

Although compulsive behaviours have similar patterns, each case is individual and requires a corresponding treatment approach to address the root causes behind the problem effectively. So, Helen Bright-Gerrie from the London Psychosexual Therapy clinic develops personalised treatment plans based on the needs and preferences of every client to help them break negative habits and ensure a successful recovery.

Highly-Qualified Sex Addiction London Therapy

With more than 12 years of experience, Helen Bright-Gerrie has already provided hundreds of London Psychosexual Therapy clients with a solid foundation in mental health recovery. As a qualified professional registered with COSRT, Helen is specifically trained in addressing a full spectrum of sex-related issues and committed to creating well-researched and the most progressive sex addiction therapy plans for anyone seeking change in their lives.

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