Sexual Addiction Therapists in Pasadena, CA

Absolute sexual addiction elite level expert 27 years + 45,000 hours sexual misbehavior specialist psychotherapy provided, faster recovery evidence based research oriented treating of Infidelity / Cheating /Affairs, Prostitution Use, "Seeking Arrangements", Sugar Daddy, Sex Apps, Strip Clubs, Massage Parlors, Sex Misconduct, Certified Specialist. I created government funded sexual misbehavior programs utilizing highly effective clinical models. I use most up to date understanding to have you change your thinking and you learn how to end self destructive actions and love yourself and the great life you have. All I do is these cases.

I want to work with people who are willing to try something new, to try something different, to take risks, to be vulnerable, to explore, and to discover. I am deeply committed both to the family and individual. I want to extend myself to those finding themselves ready to push through conflicts by collaborating with me on the process of being honest and comfortable in our skin. In terms of facing life's adventures, if you feel that I am talking to you please feel free to contact me to set up an initial consultation.

As a Board Certified Sex Therapist and an Internationally Certified Addiction Counselor, I help people who suffer from problematic sexual behavior. Pornography and PIED, excessive masturbation, sexting, hook-up apps, infidelity, anonymous sex and prostitution are some of the typical behaviors that can become compulsive and difficult to control. If you want to stop a behavior, but find you can't, I can help you. If you repeatedly break promises to yourself or to your partner, I can help you. If you want to stop holding secrets and leading a double life, I can help.

Our ideal client is an individual, couple or organization that is interested in some sort of transformation and needs an experienced facilitator and partner in that change. I have worked as a therapist for over 35 years and a business consultant for over 25 years. I have two master degrees and one doctorate degree in counseling and clinical psychology. More importantly, however, I have invested in my own personal growth, after all, the emotional maturity of the therapist/consultant is the most important attribute they can have.

You're here for a reason. Perhaps, you've undergone trauma, both in the big sense or little sense, and maybe it just happened or it happened long ago. Your relationships aren't working because you're working so hard to make sure that you're not traumatized again. Now you're stuck. Maybe you and your significant other are in a difficult place, and you can't find resolution. In fact, you can't even talk to each other.

Author and psychologist Alice Miller once wrote, “Consciously experiencing our legitimate emotions is liberating. Repressed emotion can be resolved as soon as it is felt, understood, and recognized as legitimate.” Dr. Miller’s words capture my work as a psychotherapist. It is my hope to help my patients legitimately experience their complex emotional worlds in order to cultivate a rich and meaningful life. Although this is no easy task, I offer my partnership on this journey toward relief and healing, both internally and interpersonally.

You are seeking a therapist because you are in emotional pain. Are you struggling with an addiction – sex, alcohol, drugs, or gambling? Have you been abused as a child or in an adult relationship? Have you experienced sexual assault, violence or other trauma? Are you experiencing issues with your significant other or other relationships? Sometimes addiction, depression, anger, and anxiety can happen because of a trauma history. Treating trauma can help you get your emotional health back and free you from addictive behavior and pain.

Welcome to my practice. I have been in practice since 2007 and have been featured on ABC, NBC, and KCAL as an expert psychologist. I work primarily with men who have hit “rock bottom” and would like help getting up. These men are often in crisis when we first meet. The issues I address are typically related to unhealthy sexual behaviors, infidelity, financial recklessness, gambling, drugs/alcohol, dishonesty/lying, and relational conflicts. My therapy approach is a combination of psychoanalytic, cognitive-behavioral, and the 12-Step recovery model. I also share insight from my own painful but redemptive recovery journey.

"The past can hurt. But the way I see my it, you can either run from it, or learn from it." - Rafiki. Learning from and overcoming our past can be mentally, emotionally, and spiritually challenging. However, running from our past mentally, emotionally, and spiritually draining. In my practice, clients are given the warmth and support to confront the past, the tools to overcome the past, as well as the space and grace to learn from the past. My practice is geared toward helping you to put the past in the past and to be present in the present.

Are you hiding sexual secrets, infidelity, or porn addiction? Has someone you love betrayed you and left you feeling heart broken? People dealing with sexual compulsivity and sex/porn addiction often feel shame and are uncertain how to make better choices. Betrayed partners are traumatized, angry and deeply hurt. I have helped hurting people heal for 15 years by providing safe and confidential therapy with specific tools as you focus on moving past the grip of sexually destructive choices, or recover from betrayal trauma. You can heal, rebuild trust with your loved ones, and create a healthy life and loving relationships.

I approach mental health in a systemic, collaborative, strengths-based therapeutic way to help clients acknowledge the various unique contexts which impact their lives. This allows them to connect with their strengths and learn new ways to live in wholeness. My empathy and warmth help create a safe, nonjudgmental space where clients can process and heal. I utilize various therapeutic approaches. I believe that clients have the answers, and together, we will find a deeper awareness of who they are, who they want to become, and how to propel them onto a path of healing, growth, and actualization.

"With almost 20 years clinical experience, I specialize in providing treatment tailored for individuals and couples who recognize that there is something interfering with their ability to function or enjoy their daily life. Utilizing a variety of techniques, I help my patients identify their immediate needs and their long-term goals. I work with both the first-time therapy patient as well as with those that have experience in the therapeutic process. I believe that we desire purpose and connection. I assist in exploring life's choices to improve clarity, relationships and an overall state of well-being."

I recognize the time and resources you are investing and I am committed to achieving your goals as quickly as possible. I use a technique called Intensive Short Term Dynamic Psychotherapy. If you are serious about change, whatever the issue, please do not hesitate to contact me.

There can be multiple reasons that bring someone in for a psychotherapy consultation. When a distinct problem occurs (marital separation, depression, a difficult parenting challenge, anxiety over one's relationships, self-destructive thoughts or behaviors, etc.), or, when one becomes aware of more amorphous and global issues in one's life (lack of growth, a pattern of isolation, lack of pleasure, etc.), it is useful to talk to someone with lots of clinical experience to begin to sort out and make sense of what is going on externally as well as internally. Careful listening to your particular situation is the first important step.

Pema Chodron states that the "essence of life is that it's challenging." I believe that with the right support, your difficult life experiences and challenges, whatever they may be or however they stemmed, can be overcome with time. I work with adults, adolescents, and couples through these challenging experiences. I bring empathic energy, intuition, careful consideration, humor, and challenge to the process of converting difficulty into growth. My work is driven by philosophies and therapies based in trauma-informed care, neurobiology, attachment theory, nonviolent communication, Emotion Focused Therapy, Buddhism, and EMDR.

Choosing a therapist is deeply personal and usually comes down to an unexplainable sense or feeling that it's right. Of course it's difficult to develop that sense from a web profile so I provide a free initial consultation to support a more personal and informed process of choosing a therapist. The catalyst for therapy is often a debilitating chronic anxiety or depression that "is not me", or pain in a relationship that we care deeply about, or an addiction that hurts the ones that matter most to us.

I believe that the connection between therapist and client is the key for successful outcomes. I work in collaboration with clients to create achievable and meaningful goals. Therapy may be difficult or bring up uncomfortable feelings for some clients. For this reason, I conduct therapy in a caring, supportive, and nonjudgmental way. My approach is to work with clients in a supportive fashion and to encourage clients to challenge themselves to attain their goals in a safe environment. I strive to create a specific therapeutic plan for each individual’s needs.

At times, we may find ourselves struggling with anxieties, insecurities and fear; and in these we can feel stuck and alone as we navigate the hardships that inevitably cross our paths. I strongly believe that insight and awareness are some of the best tools we can possess to create lasting, positive change in our lives. It is my goal to provide a curious, informed space to explore the ways in which culture, family dynamics, and identity influence the ways in which we are able to move through the world.

Since 1984, I've provided services for adults and adolescents in both inpatient and outpatient settings. I have varied experience with depression, trauma, abuse, grief/loss, personal growth, relationships, anxiety, and stress. I have also worked extensively with addictions and related issues ("co-dependency", eating disorders, alcoholism, dual diagnosis...).