Specialized Support for Addiction, Intimacy, and Relationship Concerns

Compulsive sexual behaviors, pornography use, and other addictive patterns can significantly impact an individual's emotional well-being, relationships, sense of self, and ability to live in alignment with their values. Whether you are seeking support for compulsive sexual behavior, pornography use, love and relationship addiction, codependency, or the relational impact of addiction, therapy can provide a structured and supportive environment to better understand these patterns and work toward meaningful change.

I specialize in working with individuals and couples affected by sex addiction, pornography use, compulsive sexual behaviors, love addiction, codependency, and related relationship concerns. I am a Certified Sex Addiction Therapist (CSAT) and Certified Multiple Addictions Therapist – Chemical Dependency (CMAT-CD) through the International Institute for Trauma and Addiction Professionals (IITAP). My clinical work incorporates an understanding of the complex interaction between addictive behaviors, emotional regulation, attachment, trauma, relationships, and underlying behavioral patterns.

My therapeutic approach is primarily Person-Centered, emphasizing the development of a collaborative therapeutic relationship grounded in safety, trust, respect, and accountability. I also integrate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) interventions based on each client's individual needs. CBT can assist in identifying and modifying patterns of thinking and behavior that contribute to compulsive or addictive cycles, while DBT skills can support emotional regulation, distress tolerance, impulse control, and development of healthier coping strategies.

For clients addressing problematic sexual behaviors, pornography use, and related concerns, I utilize Dr. Patrick Carnes' task-based model as a framework for individualized recovery work. Treatment may include developing greater awareness of behavioral patterns and triggers, establishing healthy boundaries, increasing emotional awareness and regulation, addressing underlying beliefs and relational patterns, and developing sustainable strategies for long-term recovery.

I also work with clients navigating the broader concerns that frequently accompany addiction, including anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship difficulties, intimacy concerns, and significant life transitions. I believe effective treatment requires looking beyond the presenting behavior to understand the individual as a whole and the experiences, beliefs, and relational patterns that may contribute to ongoing difficulties.

For couples and partners impacted by addictive or compulsive behaviors, therapy can provide a structured environment to address the relational consequences of addiction, including disrupted trust, communication difficulties, boundaries, disclosure-related concerns, intimacy, and the process of rebuilding a healthy relationship. I strive to create a therapeutic environment in which both individuals can have their experiences acknowledged while maintaining appropriate accountability and clinical boundaries.

Beginning therapy can require significant vulnerability, particularly when addressing behaviors that carry shame or stigma. My goal is to provide a nonjudgmental, clinically informed, and supportive space in which clients can explore difficult experiences honestly while developing greater insight, accountability, and capacity for change.

During the initial phase of treatment, we will work collaboratively to understand your history, identify current concerns and behavioral patterns, and establish individualized treatment goals. Therapy is not about defining you by your behaviors or past experiences. Rather, it is an opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of yourself, address barriers that interfere with the life and relationships you value and build the skills necessary for sustained recovery and meaningful change.

I am a wife, mother, children's book author, and passionate therapist. I believe that people possess the capacity for growth and change, and that meaningful recovery is possible when individuals are provided with appropriate support, accountability, and opportunities to develop new ways of relating to themselves and others.