Help for Partners of Sex Addicts

Help for partners of sex addicts can take many forms depending on the unique needs and experiences of each person. Maybe your partner won’t admit they have a problem, or maybe they are in treatment for sexual addiction recovery. Some come to us because they want to learn how to forgive and help their partner recover, others just need some help working through their own pain. Whatever bring you to us, your Christian counselor will have the insight and tools you need to move out of this dark time and into the healing promises of Christ Jesus.

Am I Married to a Sex Addict?

Discovering that your partner has a problem with things like pornography, infidelity, or any other damaging sexual behavior can make your head spin. You might ask yourself things like, is this normal? or did I do something to cause this? If you’re like many, you might even make excuses for your partner’s behavior instead of risking confrontation and further pain. Maybe you aren’t sure if the behavior is harmful and a sign of sexual addiction. If you’re not sure, here are some common signs to watch for:

• Staying up late on the Internet or watching TV
• Frequently isolating themselves from you without letting you know his or her whereabouts
• 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

If you think your partner has a problem with sexual addiction but aren’t sure how to deal with the situation, we can offer practical advice and solutions. Whether or not your partner is ready or willing to get help, Christian counseling can still be support for you.

You might not realize it, but partners of sex addicts go through a kind of trauma which causes things like persistent anxiety, depression, flashbacks, and obsessing over the details of their behavior. In fact, 70% of people in your situation go through post-traumatic stress disorder, severely limiting his or her ability to function normally.You might even feel like you’re losing your mind. This is an incredibly stressful and emotional time; having someone outside of the situation to talk to can be very comforting.

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

If you feel like your spirit has been crushed and your heart broken, we hope to lead you on a path of healing and hope through Christ. We know that the Lord offers peace and rest for the broken in times of trouble, and He will show you which path to take while healing the deep wounds you carry. This is our ultimate goal for you at Spokane Christian Counseling.

Other 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 pain you feel now won’t last forever. At Spokane Christian Counseling, we hope to help you come out of this stronger, healthier, and more connected with yourself, your partner, and with God.

If you’re ready to let go and heal, contact us today.

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 (509) 209-8961.