Help for Partners of Sex Addicts

Helping partners of sex addicts requires an individualized approach depending on the unique experiences of each person. Counseling for partners is useful while the addicted partner goes through treatment to help you both come to a full recovery. For others, the offending partner is not ready to face their addiction and the betrayed partner needs support in dealing with those circumstances. Whatever your experiences, Christian counseling for partners of sex addicts can help you work through difficult emotions, so you can find the healing you need for the pain sexual addiction has had on your life.

If you’ve discovered that your partner has a problem with things like pornography or has had an affair, you might feel like your world is turned upside down. Dealing with the difficult and intense emotions can be overwhelming, and you might find yourself asking a lot of questions. Is this normal? Could I have caused this? These sorts of questions are very common. You might even start making excuses for your partner’s behavior rather than confronting them because at the time it seems easier than facing the problem and the pain it causes you both.

If you wonder whether or not your partner has a sex addiction problem, consider these common signs of sexual addiction:

• Staying up late on the Internet or watching TV.
• Frequently isolating themselves from you or leaves without letting you know his or her whereabouts.
• Being controlling during sexual activity or have frequent mood swings before or after sex.
• Gets angry if someone expresses concern about his or her pornography use.
• Seems to be preoccupied with sexual thoughts or behaviors.
• Is increasingly dishonest.
• Hides pornography at work or home.

Many who suspect that their partner has a problem with sexual addiction don’t know how to handle the situation. If that sounds like you, we can offer practical solutions and advice. Whether or not he or she is ready to get help, Christian counseling can still be very helpful for you.

When in a relationship with someone who struggles with sexual addiction, partners often face a lot of problems themselves such as anxiety, depression, flashbacks, and worry over the details of the addiction transgressions. Nearly 70% of partners of sex addicts experience post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms, severely impeding his or her ability to function in daily life. So if you discover that your partner has sexual addiction and you feel you are “losing you mind,” know that is completely understandable, and there is help for you. Christian counseling offers you a place to work through stressful, confusing, and painful emotions so you can begin to heal faster.

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. – Psalm 34:18

You might feel that your spirit has been crushed and your heart broken by betrayal, and understandably so. At Tacoma Christian Counseling, our hope is to help you find peace and rest in the calm of Christ Jesus as He brings you guidance and healing. The path to recovery is different for everyone. Our counselors will help you discover what that means for you.

Common goals of Christian counseling for partners of sex addicts include:

• Discovering healthy ways to process your emotions.
• Growing your relationship with yourself, others, and with Christ.
• Finding tools for supporting your partner’s recovery.
• Helping you break away from enabling or codependent behaviors.
• Moving towards forgiveness and peace.

The good news is that the pain you feel now will end. At Tacoma Christian Counseling, we will help you move forward, stronger, healthier, and more connected with yourself, your loved ones, and with Christ.

To learn more about Christian counseling for partners of sex addicts or to schedule an appointment, contact us online or give us a call at (253) 777-1997.