Can a CSAT Therapist Help Me with My Sex Addiction?
If you’ve come to the realization that you may have a sex addiction, be proud. You have taken the challenging first step of your recovery journey. What comes next may not be as difficult, but it will still require commitment and a willingness to change. Working with a therapist is an essential part of overcoming sex addiction. However, your experience and success depend on connecting with a CSAT therapist with the right experience and qualifications to meet your needs.
Complications of Treating Sex Addiction
Sex addiction has some complexities that require different treatment approaches than other types of addictions. For example, unlike drugs or alcohol, sex is a natural part of the human experience. Further, the range of “normal” sexual experiences varies and is highly affected by cultural norms and personal biases. This can make diagnosis and treatment very difficult.
Additionally, there are strong links between sex addiction and prior trauma. While this is not always the case, sex addiction is often a symptom of an underlying issue. Effective treatment will need to address both the present consequences and the past causes.
Why Choosing the Right Therapist Matters
Not all therapists have experience treating individuals with sex addiction. This can lead to a multitude of problems, including misdiagnosis, outdated treatment practices, and ineffective treatment plans.
Working with an unqualified but well-meaning therapist can have serious consequences. In the best-case scenario, you may spend a significant amount of money on unhelpful treatment. At worst, you may feel judged or misunderstood. This can hamper your ability to open up to a new therapist. Without professional support, recovering from sex addiction is a much more challenging undertaking.
For this reason, if you are interested in working with a mental health specialist to face your sex addiction, we recommend working with a CSAT therapist. Toronto-based therapist Peter Stathakos is a licensed CSAT therapist with nearly a decade of experience. Peter collaborates with on-site Certified Partner Trauma Therapist Lani Sanger.
Together, the professional team at Peter Stathakos and Associates offers a customized therapy approach suitable for individuals and couples navigating the complexities of sex addiction. If you are ready to take back control of your life, we are here to help you make enduring, impactful change. Contact us today to learn more.
What Is a CSAT Therapist?
CSAT stands for certified sex addiction therapist. A therapist with the CSAT qualification has completed extensive training focusing on addiction and sexual compulsiveness.
As a part of earning this specialization, a CSAT therapist must work with dozens of patients with sex addiction. This breadth of experience enables the CSAT therapist to provide effective support for individuals navigating sex addiction, sobriety, and recovery.
All CSAT therapists are trained by the International Institute of Trauma and Addiction Professionals (IITAP).
How Is a CSAT Therapist Different from Any Other Therapist?
A CSAT therapist has exactly the same credentials as any other therapist. This includes a Master’s degree, years of counseling experience, and any required credentials or licensure. However, a CSAT therapist has completed an additional intensive training and certification program to earn the CSAT qualification.
CSAT therapists must also engage in continuous professional development to retain their certification. Finally, CSAT therapists tend to specialize in treating sex addiction and related issues, such as partner betrayal and trauma. For this reason, these therapists generally have much more experience working with sex addicted-patients than traditional therapists.
What to Expect from a CSAT Therapist
Counseling sessions usually begin with a diagnostic assessment. There are several different questionnaires that the CSAT therapist may ask you to take:
PATHOS- A brief questionnaire that assesses your current experience and serves as a starting point for discussion.
SAST- Sexual Addiction Screening Test measures and identifies sexual patterns as within or beyond the normal range.
SDI- The Sexual Dependency Inventory is an evidence-based diagnostic tool for sex addiction. The SDI can only be administered by an IITAP-trained therapist.
The CSAT therapist will use your results and in-session conversations to understand your unique experiences and work with you to outline the steps toward your recovery. You and the therapist will create an individualized treatment plan that may include a combination of talk therapy, medication, and therapeutic exercises that you can do at home.
While the exact outcome of your plan will differ, you will learn effective coping strategies for managing your addiction, such as recognizing your triggers and lowering your stress.
The team at Peter Stathakos and Associates is highly experienced in providing sex addiction assessments and treatment. If you are ready to speak with a therapist, book a free introductory meeting with us today.