Recognizing that you have a problem and reaching out for sex addiction therapy is the first step of recovery. Congratulations on reaching this important milestone – it’s one of the most difficult but from here onwards, you will have the support of those around you.
Now is the time to find a therapist who can guide you through the recovery process. Remember, this person is going to be an integral part of your life for the next couple of months or even years, so it’s worth taking your time and doing your research.
Below we have highlighted some tips to help you choose the right sex addiction counsellor to suit you and your needs.
Location
Try to find a good counsellor who is in close range of where you live or work. If you’re having regular sexual addiction treatment sessions, a long journey could put you off attending or become a financial strain. You don’t want anything to hinder your recovery and if attending therapy requires a huge amount of effort, you may use this as an excuse not to go when you’re having a bad day.
Expertise
Try to find a counsellor who specializes in sex addiction therapy. The more tailored their knowledge is, the better they will be able to understand you, what you’re going through and how to help you recover. It is also in your best interest to find a therapist who understands and treats the underlying causes of the addiction as opposed to just working on getting sober. This is a crucial element that is often missed in the addiction treatment world.
Credentials
The problem with the Internet is that anyone can have a website and write whatever they want and often, we take their word for it. We cannot emphasize enough the importance of checking that your chosen therapist is properly qualified and that their credentials add up.
Are they who they say they are? Do they have the associated degree of the professional discipline you need? Are they licensed and is their license up-to-date and clearly indicated on their website or profile listing?
Don’t be afraid to ask all of this before you commit to anything. A good counsellor knows that it’s important to clarify this information beforehand.
Recommendations
We often use the Internet to find reviews of products and services. While you can of course do this for an addiction counsellor, the confidential nature of this profession means that it can be difficult to find feedback about the person you’re looking for.
There are a number of ways you can obtain recommendations for an addiction therapy professional however. Ask friends and family if they know of anyone or your doctor may be able to provide you with names of professionals they’ve recommended to patients in the past. If you have been attending 12 step meetings, you can ask other members if they have any suggestions.
You’re the right fit
As well as choosing a counsellor with the right qualifications and expertise, you need to have a good rapport with this person. You will be talking to them about personal feelings related to your addiction to sex and it’s likely that you will become emotional throughout the process, so you need to feel comfortable around them.
If you think that you may need to speak to a sex addiction counsellor, please feel free to contact Toronto Trauma and Addiction Counselling in the strictest of confidence and we will be more than happy to advise on sexual addiction treatment.
