The Counselling Shed
Are you struggling with sex or porn addiction? There really is no need to struggle on alone. Help is out there. But how to find the right counsellor?
Counselling Directories often contain pages and pages of counsellor profiles so it become almost impossible to choose.
But if you are struggling with something quite specific, like sex or porn addiction, then it is important to get the right help. Right?
I have seen countless clients, who, after having tried counselling via therapy platforms and/or via well-meaning private counsellors, come to me and then say something like “finally, I have found someone who understand my problem and can help”.
It’s not that other well-meaning counsellors are not good at counselling, but unless they have completed specialist training in the field of sex and porn addiction or CSBD (Compulsive Sexual Behaviour Disorder), they are not equipped to be able to effectively support clients.
It’s like, I could offer someone with an eating disorder some good general counselling, but because I have not done specialist training in the field of eating disorders – which also means not reading books and journals on the subject, not belonging to professional counselling bodies related to this subject and not attending conferences on the topic etc., I am not going to be able to provide the specialist support that such clients will need. Yes, they might learn more about their past, or their patterns of relating or their thought processes etc. but what they are really coming for, is for help in recovering from an easting disorder. It’s the same with sex addiction and with pornography addiction.
The other problem here though is that increasingly counsellors declare themselves to be experts in sex addiction because they have attended a 3-hour CPD workshop on the topic. Whilst CPD provides opportunities to broaden knowledge, it is misleading and potentially harmful for clients if they seek help from a counsellor whose expertise is based upon a 3-hour workshop.
For that reason I would always recorded looking on the directory of ATSAC – the Association for the Treatment of Sex Addiction and Compulsivity.
The counsellors on ATSAC’s directory will have all undertaken an advance level training in Sex Addiction, Porn Addiction and Compulsive Sexual Behaviour. It’s one of the reasons why ATSAC was set up. If you want to check out my ATSAC profile, the you can check it out here: ATSAC Profile.
Help is out there. But make sure it’s the right help. Otherwise you could waste time and money on counselling, that whilst well-meaning, does not get to the heart of the issue.
Recovery from Sex Addiction and Porn Addiction is not easy. But it is definitely possible.
If you would like to find out how I work with my clients, or if you’d like to book in for an initial assessment session, then please get in touch:
Mobile: 07757 859650
Email: bradley@thecounsellingshed.co.uk
I don’t bite. I don’t shame. And I look forward to hearing from you.